A collection of competition-winning short stories submitted to the Axe River Books Short Story Prize. With a first-place story from multi-award-winning writer Clare Reddaway and runner-up stories from the best of our contributors.

Our judge, novelist Mel Greenwood, shared these insightful words about our winning story: "This is one of the most powerful and beautiful stories I have ever read. In each new reading, there is more and more depth to the writing. It has a very filmic quality, believability, intelligence, realistic descriptions and superbly believable dialogue. The poetic, sensual way it begins lulls you which is suddenly broken completely by the reality of a chip shop job and the golden waves turn grey...The writer is extremely skilful in setting the scenes, drawing us in and gently leading us to the terrible truth."

"I believe that stories are the bedrock of being human, and I find creating, tangling, and untangling them to be a source of constant fascination." -- Clare Reddaway
 
Axe River Books was founded by three literature enthusiasts in Somerset to offer publishing opportunities to writers in the South West of England, particularly those unpublished or unrepresented by literary agents. The company provides a platform for emerging voices and promotes original talent from the region.
 
Inspired by the River Axe, which has flowed through the Mendip Hills for millions of years, the publishing house is committed to supporting local writers and fostering a vibrant community around South Western literature. As a community interest company (CIC), all profits are reinvested in future projects that align with its mission.