www.shortstoryradio.com was created by Ian Skillicorn with the aim of promoting the short story genre and writer. 

Ian explains: “I recognised that, outside of the great work of BBC Radio, there were very limited opportunities available in the UK for writers to have their short stories professionally recorded and broadcast, and for people to listen to recordings of contemporary and classic short stories free of charge.”

“The music industry has now embraced the technology and opportunities of the internet, and the sale of audio books grows year on year, but it seems to me that the literary world has not yet fully grasped the potential of the web for promoting the spoken word.”

Ian's own career began in Italy, where he worked as a writer (on magazines, books and scripts), audio producer and voice artist. On his return to the UK he started a website design consultancy, creating websites for a number of national organisations and businesses. “I was fortunate in that I could combine my ambitions for a short story website with the technical skills to get it up and running,” he says.

The most recent stories on the website came out of a collaboration with the New Writing Partnership. Short Story Radio recorded three of the winning entries of Escalator 2007, the NWP's talent programme for East of England writers. The writers involved say they are thrilled at the international exposure their work is getting through the website. It was also a unique opportunity for them to hear their stories presented in spoken form.

The stories were read by Lisa Armytage, whose career includes work in radio, film and television both in the UK and Australia. Television viewers will remember her from the Australian show Neighbours; during its 80's heyday she played Beverly Robinson, step mother-in-law to Kylie Minogue's character.

Hertfordshire based Short Story Radio has also built connections with local creative talent. Ian met up with the Berkhamsted Creative Writing Class, run by bestselling writer Rowan Williams (The Accidental Wife). The result was the recording of a story written by one of the class's students, Michael Price. Michael works as a film composer and the story is accompanied by music he composed himself.

The feedback from both writers and listeners has been very positive and encouraging. “We get emails every week from people who have enjoyed out stories,” reveals Ian. “We have a listener survey on the site and based on listeners' suggestions we are looking at producing stories as downloadable podcasts in the near future.”

The next project for Short Story Radio is to record a series of short stories specifically for hospital radio stations. Ian continues: “I am involved in hospital radio myself so I know that there is a need for good quality spoken word content, for those parts of the schedule when there is no presenter in the studio.” The stories have been written by award winning short story writer Sue Moorcroft, whose work has appeared in numerous national magazines. 

Ian feels the future for Short Story Radio looks bright: “I believe that Short Story Radio is an innovative and exciting project with huge potential for writers, independent publishers and literary audiences. My goal is to to create an innovative online platform that encourages writing and an appreciation of literature.”

Ian Skillicorn, August 2008

www.shortstoryradio.com

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