These pieces were all written on the Comma Press Short Story Course facilitated by C.D. Rose at The Custard Factory, Birmingham. The group met once a month for six months. Each session involved some critique from peers and the tutor of their own work, a close look at examples of stories from other writers as well as theory and practice of the craft. All of the stories featured in this eclectic collection speak to the diverse writing styles and ambition of the writers on the course. The narrative surrounding short fiction can often be a little prescriptive, overworked with rules and parameters regarding what the story should or can “do” - however, the stories in this collection demonstrate there is so much space to still subvert, experiment, develop and expand the form.
C. D. ROSE is a writer of short fiction and novels. He has published three books, The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure, Who's Who When Everyone is Someone Else, and The Blind Accordionist. A new collection of stories is coming soon.
His major influences are Calvino, Borges, Georges Perec and Danilo Kis. He is at home anywhere there are dusty second-hand bookshops, quiet libraries, and dark bars.
He is currently the Royal Literary Fund Fellow in Residence at the University of Manchester, UK.