Listen to short stories online

Memoir

Thanks for the Memory by Steven Hawley A haunting story about age and memory. Genre: Memoir (8 mins) NEW

Back by Sue Gee A poignant story from the author of Last Fling. Genre: Memoir (22 mins) NEW

Cowardice by Jules Wake An old woman comes to the aid of a young boy and relives the horrors of her own childhood. Genre: Memoir (10 mins)

The Return by John Finch Present day events cause Joe to reflect on the past. Genre: Memoir/Relationships (16 mins)

Drama/relationships

Consequences by Felicity Shakespeare A seemingly innocent family game hides secrets and guilt for one participant. Genre: Relationships (11 mins)

Homecoming by Angela Williams Charity returns to her home town and wonders if it is too late to rekindle a passion from the past. Genre: Relationships (15 mins)

Unfinished Business by Ruth Field Remembering the life and character of a much loved mother at a memorial service. Genre: Family Relationships (12 mins)

The Old Man's Village by Bogdan Tiganov An old man returns to his childhood village and is surprised by what he finds. Genre: Relationships (17 mins)

Horses by Julie Mayhew  A chance meeting at a train station gives a boy and a girl the perfect opportunity to tell each other how they really feel. How hard can that be? Genre: Relationships (15 mins).

Mental Striptease by Sophie King  Can our narrator find love again and heal the scars of a failed marriage? Genre: Relationships (9 mins)

Joy's Story by Graham Pitts  Based on interviews with Sandy Porter, who is HIV positive and who has become a dedicated activist in the education of the public regarding HIV/AIDS. Genre: Relationships (7 mins)

A Misunderstanding by Jane Menczer Eleanor must choose spinsterhood or a loveless marriage. Genre: Romance/Relationships (15 mins)

The Mslexia Short Story Love and Painting by Sarah Klenbort. A 12 year old girl learns relationships aren't always what they seem. (opens new window)

Romance

All Good Things by Linda Mitchelmore. Divorced Crissy meets Jean Luc on a plane to Antibes and wonders if the scars of the past can finally be healed. Parts 1 and 2. (16 mins each)

Love and Life in the Park by Gabrielle Mullarkey. Maeve sits and reflects on her young love on a special park bench. (24 mins)

Humour

Nowt Worse Than Waiting by Malcolm Bray  A man finds he identifies with a surprising companion while waiting for a hospital operation. Genre: Comedy (9 mins)

Valentine's Day by Nick Cook  Knowing when to let go is the hardest part of any relationship.  This is a lesson the hero of Valentine's Day, sadly, will probably never learn! Genre: Dark comedy (11 mins) (Dark humour)

Metamorphosis by Sue Anderson. What starts off as an ordinary day for Sandy Green turns into something unexpected in this funny tale.
(14 mins)

A Slice of Life by Geoff Bagwell. Dorothy gets more than she bargained for when she befriends a baker on her evening course. (15 mins) (Dark humour)

Mystery/thriller

Storm by David Wood  On their journey home, Jethro and Joanne come across a man desperate for them to save his family. Genre: Mystery/Thriller
(10 mins)

Natural Selection by Jonathan Pinnock  Just how far would you go to get the perfect job? One candidate is about to find out it's a bit further than he expected. Genre: Mystery/Thriller (14 mins)

The Day That Time Stood Still by Alan Coleman A young man goes for a job interview but strange events mean that the day does not go to plan. Suitable for teenagers and upwards. Genre: Mystery/Thriller (13 mins)

Mikey's Birthday by Paul Chappell A disturbing tale as Mikey tries to make sense of life in a post-disaster world. Genre: Thriller/Horror (12 mins)

The Experiment by Katy Darby An impoverished art student takes part in a medical trial, with disturbing consequences... Genre: Mystery/Thriller (13 mins)

Ghost stories

A Pint for the Ghost by Helen Mort  A sinister landlord invites you in from the cold for a pint and some strange tales. Genre: Ghost story (13 mins)

The Timeless Trees by Ann Smith  When Jill moves out of town she gets a warning from beyond the grave. Genre: Ghost story (15 mins)

Children's stories

Kika's Birthday by Danya Miller.

The Man in Search of His Luck adapated by Sally Pomme Clayton.

Special writing tips podcasts with Sue Cook

Short story writing The Write Lines programme 1

Writing romantic fiction The Write Lines programme 2

Writing for children The Write Lines programme 3