Carleigh Baker

Each year the best short fiction published in Canada is sifted to discover the long list that will be included in the Journey Prize anthology. There are twelve stories in this year’s collection, ranging from the very brief (2 pages) to the substantial (31 pages). The themes are various though they tend to be on the edge, I suppose, depending on where your centre lies. The writers range from first year undergraduates to established short-fiction writers. Most, but not all have MFA degrees or are in the process of attaining same.

Some years when I read the Journey Prize anthology, I find that one or two or more of the stories leap out at me, and in my opinion they are substantially superior to the rest. Not that my selections often, or even ever, coincide with the judges. We must be looking for different things in short stories. It’s possible. This year, sadly, none of the stories really clicked for me. But not to worry. There’s always next year.… (meer)