Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award


The Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award—named in honour of Frank O'Connor, who devoted much of his work to the form—was an international literary award presented for the best short story collection. It was presented between 2005 and 2015. The prize amount, as of 2012, is one of the richest short-story collection prizes in the world. Each year, approximately sixty books were longlisted, with either four or six books shortlisted, and the ultimate decision being made by three judges.

History

In 2000, the Cork, Ireland Munster Literature Centre organised the first Frank O'Connor International Short Story Festival, an event dedicated to the celebration of the short story and named for Cork writer Frank O'Connor. The festival showcases readings, literary forums and workshops. Following continued growth and additional funding, the Cork City – Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award was introduced in 2005, coinciding with Cork's designation as that year's European Capital of Culture.
In 2008 there was no shortlist, as the judges considered the winning book, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, superior to other books on the longlist.
The award was discontinued in 2016.

Recipients

YearAuthorTitleResult
2005'Winner
2005Blackbird HouseShortlist
2005Corpus ChristiShortlist
2005Natasha and Other StoriesShortlist
2005'Shortlist
2005'Shortlist
2006Blind Willow, Sleeping WomanWinner
2006In Strange Gardens and Other StoriesShortlist
2006Notes from a Turkish WhorehouseShortlist
2006'Shortlist
2006'Shortlist
2006'Shortlist
2007No One Belongs Here More than YouWinner
2007OpportunityShortlist
2007Missing KissingerShortlist
2007'Shortlist
2007ValentinesShortlist
2007'Shortlist
2008Unaccustomed EarthWinner
2009Love Begins in WinterWinner
2009SingularityShortlist
2009'Shortlist
2009'Shortlist
2009Ripples and Other StoriesShortlist
2009Everything Ravaged, Everything BurnedShortlist
2010Burning BrightWinner
2010Mattaponi QueenShortlist
2010'Shortlist
2010What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves UsShortlist
2010If I Loved You I Would Tell You ThisShortlist
2010Wild ChildShortlist
2011Saints and SinnersWinner
2011Light LiftingShortlist
2011'Shortlist
2011Death Is Not an OptionShortlist
2011Marry or BurnShortlist
2011Gold Boy, Emerald GirlShortlist
2012What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne FrankWinner
2012Suddenly a Knock on the DoorShortlist
2012'Shortlist
2012Dark Lies the IslandShortlist
2012Happiness Is a Chemical in the BrainShortlist
2012'Shortlist
2013Tea at the Midland and Other StoriesWinner
2013BattlebornShortlist
2013Black VodkaShortlist
2013Black Dahlia & White RoseShortlist
2013We're FlyingShortlist
2013Siege 13Shortlist
2014Young SkinsWinner
2014All the RageShortlist
2014Leaving the SeaShortlist
2014'Shortlist
2014BarkShortlist
2014RedeploymentShortlist
2015'Winner
2015My DocumentsShortlist
2015RefundShortlist
2015InfidelitiesShortlist
2015Crow FairShortlist
2015Mr. TallShortlist