Theme: "How it Works: The Uniqueness of the Short Story."
Often, the short story is defined by what it is not: the novel. Yet perhaps the better question to ask is what does it uniquely offer that other forms of fiction cannot? What effect does the concentration of story and human experience into a few thousand words have on the reader? The shortness of form puts focus on individual experience, containing ‘an intense awareness of human loneliness’ (Frank O’Connor). It is a form that insists on removing everything non-essential and demands a ‘large deal of detection’ (Mary Lavin). This spareness requires total concentration from its reader to understand its profound wordless elements. Most importantly it seduces, with seeming simplicity, calling on our empathy; it creates a ‘transference of emotion’ (James Joyce) with a few carefully crafted lines. It is a form that is effortful, in some respects, for the reader, yet maintains a keen focus and is unmatched in its precision. What is so unique about this conference is that writers of fiction in English (Irish, British, American, Canadian, Australian, Caribbean, South Africa, Indian, Sri Lankan, Indonesian, etc.) and writers who have had their work translated into English, together with scholars of the genre will all come together to discuss that seductive unmatched precision.  

***On Tuesday 17 June, 2025, the day before the conference starts, there will be workshops. Please check the website for information and registration. We look forward to welcoming you to the 17th International Conference on the Stort Story in English.

Dr. Maurice A. Lee, Conference Director, mauricel@retired.uca.edu

Dr. Katie Singer, Associate Director, katesinger4@gmail.com

Ann Luttrell, Co-Director, Host in Ireland, annluttrell@hotmail.com

Jamie O’Connell, Associate Co-Director, jamieoconnell84@gmail.com

Dr. Jay Ruud, Program Director, jruud@retired.uca.edu