Sponsored by Cork City Council First awarded 2005 | Country Ireland | |
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Awarded for Best short story collection Location Frank O'Connor International Short Story Festival, Cork, Ireland Presented by Munster Literature Centre | ||
The Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award—named in honour of Frank O'Connor, who devoted much of his work to the form—is an international literary award presented for the best short story collection. The prize amount is €25,000 (as of 2012) making it one of the richest short-story collection prizes in the world (see Premio de Narrativa Breve Ribera del Duero). Each year, roughly sixty books are longlisted, with either four or six books shortlisted, the ultimate decision 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 Frank O'Connor, the famous Cork writer. 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, as being superior to other books on the longlist.
The award was discontinued in 2016.