The Guernsey Literary Festival has announced Louise Doughty as the judge of this year’s short story competition.
The competotion invites writers with a connection to the Bailiwick to submit original stories for publication in the 2027 Guernsey Short Story Anthology.
Following the success of its inaugural anthology, published earlier this year, the competition returns with a new theme, Small Treasures. Twenty finalist stories, together with winning cover artwork, will be published by Blue Ormer and launched at the 2027 Guernsey Literary Festival.
This year’s theme invites writers to uncover the hidden value in the smallest things. A lost object, a fleeting moment, a quiet act of kindness or a discovery that changes everything – treasures are not always made of gold. They may be literal or metaphorical, joyful or bittersweet, found or lost. What matters is the story behind them.
Writers are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own way. With 2027 marking Guernsey’s celebrations for the European Year of the Normans, they may also choose to explore the small traces history leaves behind, in traditions, places or belongings that endure.
Judge Louise Doughty is an internationally bestselling author, screenwriter and journalist. She is the author of ten novels, most recently A Bird in Winter. Her previous books include Platform Seven, filmed for ITVX; Black Water, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; the number one bestseller Apple Tree Yard, adapted as a hit BBC One mini-series; and Whatever You Love, nominated for the Costa Novel Award and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Her most recent book is the memoir On This Spot Fell One Tear of Love. She has been nominated for many other prizes, including the Sunday TimesShort Story Prize and the CWA Silver Dagger, and has judged multiple awards herself, including the Booker Prize, the Costa Novel Award and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. She also wrote the hit BBC drama Crossfire. Her work has been translated into thirty languages.
Louise said: “The theme of Small Treasures could not be more fitting for this prize, and I’m delighted to be involved. My very first breaks in the business came through two competitions, one for short stories, the other for radio drama, and they are brilliant opportunities for new writers – I’m really looking forward to reading the entries.”
Supported for a second year by sponsor Sarnia Hotels, the anthology will culminate in a launch at next year’s Festival, which will take place from 23 April – 2 May. The competition is also supported by U&US and Blue Ormer publishing.
New for this year, every entrant will receive brief written feedback from one of the competition’s three filter judges, authors Ben Hinshaw, Anna Stothard and Debrah Martin. Optional critique groups will also once again offer writers the opportunity to share work, receive peer feedback and develop their stories before submitting. Finalists will then be announced in January 2027 and their stories published in the anthology.
Anthology Organiser, Ruth Thomason said: “The success of our first anthology exceeded all of our expectations. The standard of the entries was incredibly high and highlighted both the enthusiasm for creative writing and the wealth of literary talent we have across the Bailiwick. We’re delighted to welcome a judge of Louise’s calibre to this year’s competition, and it’s a real testament to how quickly the anthology has established itself.
“We loved seeing how writers drew inspiration from our islands to create such original and memorable stories. We can’t wait to see how this year’s writers interpret the theme, and to celebrate another wonderful collection of local stories at next year’s Festival.”
