Based on the theme ‘The Wonder of Words’, the fourth year of the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation short story writing competition attracted another wonderful range of original stories, read by multi award-winning Austen narrator, Alison Larkin.

Jane Austen Literacy Foundation judges selected 10 stories, which were read by a panel including Justin Young (Lead Writer, Sanditon Seasons 2 & 3), Susannah Harker (Jane Bennet, BBC Television Pride & Prejudice 1995), Natalie Jenner (International bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and The Bloomsbury Girls), and Helena Kelly (Writer, academic and author of Jane Austen – The Secret Radical) to choose the final three short stories.

The winning story, Small Print by Faith Cobaine, is the wonderful, unique story of a purchase from second-hand store, with a deliciously dark twist. Ms Patton’s List of (More) Appropriate Words by Maggie Iribarne cleverly tells the story of a woman adjusting to a new life and This is Danny by Julie Bissell, tells the story of a chance encounter that makes a significant impact.

Run by volunteers, the Foundation was started by Jane Austen’s family in 2014 to connect through literacy and support literacy in developing communities. For more information visit janeaustenlf.org.