Best British Short Stories 2026

This series curates the finest short stories published by British writers globally over the past year, inviting readers to explore the best of contemporary British short fiction.

The nation’s essential annual guide to the short story returns for its sixteenth year, once again selecting the very best new fiction from Britain’s finest contemporary writers. Ranging across genre, theme and style, Best British Short Stories 2026 showcases a dazzling array of talent — from established names to emerging voices — as published in literary magazines, journals, anthologies, and online during the past year.

Whether you’re a seasoned reader of the form or a curious newcomer, this acclaimed anthology delivers wit, imagination, drama and craft in concentrated, unforgettable doses. With its finger firmly on the pulse of modern British storytelling, the series continues to celebrate the energy and diversity of the short story today.

Edited by literary editor and writer Nicholas Royle, Best British Short Stories has become an indispensable resource for readers, students, and writers alike — an annual landmark in the UK literary calendar.