shortlist!

So yesterday they unveiled the shortlist for the 2010 Bristol Short Story Prize, and there I am - along with Marli Roode and Jon Pinnock and Clare Wallais and Claire King and fifteen other talented people.  I'm a little stunned by all this - they had 1500 entries, and though the prize has only been running since 2007, it's already one of the biggest UK writing prizes.  It's definitely the fanciest thing I've ever been associated with.  And even if I don't get any further, I'll still be in the anthology.  Good times!  And good luck to everybody else - can't wait to see some/all of you in Bristol in July!