From a record number of entries to the LoveReading Very Short Story Award (VSSA) 2022, our panel of five judges just met to deliberate, discuss and debate longlisted entries to decide this year’s shortlist. No easy feat, given that writers were asked to submit “exciting, stimulating, original and beautifully written stories that leave a powerful impression on the reader” - and all that within the confines of 600-1000 words.

With such a variety of genres, styles and themes covered by the longlisted stories, our judges also brought a variety of expertise to the table (huge thanks to them for their time and considered views).

Meet the 2022 judges

Femi Kayode - author of Lightseekers, one of our LoveReading Star Books of 2021, and one of our Debut Authors of the Month. Discover more about Femi’s path to publication and writing process here.

Maxim Jakubowski - author, translator, editor, and founder of London’s celebrated Murder One bookshop. Discover Maxim’s books here, and read his thoughts on short stories here. 

Matt Bates -  former Fiction Buyer for WH Smith Travel, and current Editor-at-Large for Muswell Press. Find out more about Matt and his thoughts on short stories here. 

Liz Robinson - a passionate reader of all genres, Liz has been a LoveReading Editorial Expert since 2014. Find out more about Liz’s love of books here, and discover her popular Liz Picks book selections here.

Joanne Owen - a LoveReading Editorial Expert and writer, with a background in publishing. Discover Joanne’s books here, and her thoughts on short stories here.

You - as in previous years the LoveReading VSSA issues two winners - the Judges’ Award and the People’s Choice Award. So, now it’s over to you to vote for your favourite story from a shortlist of ten.

Head here to read the ten shortlisted stories and cast your vote for the People’s Choice winner - you have until 18th February 2022 to make your voice heard!

The winner of the People’s Choice Award and the Judges’ Award will be announced on 1st March 2022.

Happy reading and voting! For more short story goodness, you can read about the winning writers of our 2021 competition here, and our 2020 winners here.