Why You Should Write Short Stories: A Call for Maltese Writers

In today’s fast-paced literary landscape, the short story has gained renewed relevance, offering writers the perfect medium to experiment with form, voice and narrative in a concise, impactful way. As submissions for the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize are now open, Maltese writers are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this opportunity by crafting and sharing their stories with a global audience. But why should you, as a writer from Malta, focus on short stories?

The Benefits of Writing Short Stories

Short stories allow for experimentation without the commitment of a novel. In just a few thousand words, you can explore diverse themes, experiment with unique voices, or even try out different genres. Given the brevity, each sentence must carry weight, teaching writers to be economical with language – a skill that can sharpen all areas of their writing. The winner of last year’s National Book Prize in the Short Story category, Rita Saliba, is defined by the brevity of her work, as her collections of flash fiction have become her key contribution to the genre in Malta in recent years. However, Saliba joins an illustrious tradition of Maltese literature, with writers such as Juann Mamo, Sir Temi Zammit, Oliver Friggieri and Joe Friggieri having already established a robust literary canon that can serve as inspiration for all aspiring practitioners of the Maltese short story. It is also a tradition that remains very much alive through the work of contemporary authors such as Immanuel Mifsud, Trevor Zahra and Alfred Sant. Thankfully, avenues for even fresher voices have opened up as well, such as the annual editions of Leħen il-Malti (published by L-Għaqa tal-Malti) and the online journal Aphroconfuso, both of whom proudly feature new voices in Maltese short fiction. 

The rise of digital media has also brought short stories into the spotlight. Many readers today prefer shorter, self-contained narratives that they can enjoy in one sitting. This makes short stories highly accessible and a valuable tool for reaching new readers. For Maltese writers, who face particular challenges when attempting to reach larger markets, short stories – particularly when bolstered by initiatives such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize – offer a digestible format that can captivate readers worldwide.

Why Short Stories Matter for Maltese Writers

Short stories provide an ideal way to showcase Maltese literature to an international audience, and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize can open doors to new horizons. Last year, the Malta Book Festival hosted the Prize’s 2019 overall winner Constantia Soteriou. Hailing from Cyprus, Soteriou also belongs to a Mediterranean literary ecology that, much like its Maltese counterpart, may not yet have an extensive presence in global literature. The exposure given to Soteriou’s work as a result of her success with the Prize is an active reminder of how the accolade can help push voices from the fringes closer to the centre.

This is also a way in which short stories foster community and engagement. By participating in international competitions, Maltese writers can connect with other authors, readers and industry professionals, enriching both their craft and the Maltese literary scene. Winning or being shortlisted in a global competition offers unparalleled exposure, allowing your work to be seen by people from all corners of the world.

Submission Details

Submissions for the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize are open until 1 November 2024. There is no fee to enter the Prize. Writers can submit stories in either Maltese or English. Stories submitted in Maltese are judged by a Maltese panel of readers, and those that achieve the highest rankings are allowed to advance further in the competition. The National Book Council’s partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation ensures that the stories from Malta submitted in Maltese and make it to the shortlist are then translated to English before moving to the final adjudication phase.

Submit your short story here.

With five regional winners receiving £2,500 each and one overall winner earning £5,000, this is an exciting chance to gain recognition and have your work published in the prestigious Granta magazine – which will showcase all five regional winners.

Whether you are an emerging or established writer, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the short story format and bring your voice to a global stage. By submitting to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Maltese writers can show the world the depth and richness of our literary tradition. So, embrace the art of short story writing — your voice deserves to be heard.

If you are interested to be considered for becoming a reader to judge the Maltese short stories as part of the first phase of the adjudication process of the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, please apply here by 20 October 2024.

Visit the Commonwealth Short Story Prize website for more information