Shortlisted stories

In a rain-soaked village by a restless river, a fifteen-year-old finds her childhood collapsing under the weight of family silence…

In an overcrowded family home governed by an unseen god, a young girl comes of age under rigid rules, until…

A Trinidadian bassist flees to Lima to escape his past, but a relentless rhythm follows him across the sea, turning…

He could not tell his mother that he lost his job in Prague, or that he is gay, or that…

It was not surprising that the residents of 58th Street did not notice Miss Alice’s unusual condition right away; she…

Singh sat on the bench on Platform Three at Amritsar Junction. Nine years of waiting had carved his outline into…

This piece includes references to suicide that some readers may find distressing. We had spent a long time getting ready…

১. মফিজের প্রথমবারের মতো কেন্দুয়ার সড়ক ধরে ছুটে যাওয়ার ঘটনাটি গ্রামের কোনো বাসিন্দার চোখে পড়ে না। এই চোখে না পড়ার…

Translated to English by Arunava Sinha and Shabnam Nadiya 1. The first time Mafiz ran along Kendua’s main road, it didn’t catch the eye…

Conrad came tearing into his mother’s kitchen like hell hounds were chasing him. Took up refuge behind Maude. Which wasn’t…

She sits at the back of the class, flanked by empty desks. What would it be like to have a…

We all love to drink chai, but not the same kind and not the same amount. For instance, Auntie can’t…

This work of fiction includes graphic depictions of sexual violence that some readers may find distressing.   When the mothers…

The mountains frowned down, blue as her mood, as Mrs Hamilton and her husband drove through the gates of the…

Matiu put his foot down.  ‘What about the people?’ pleaded Kana. She was talking about their people, playing on her…

By the time I see the lights of the guard post, it feels like night is already coming. The last…