The essential annual anthology celebrating the very best in contemporary British short fiction.

Now in its sixteenth year, Best British Short Stories 2026 gathers outstanding new fiction from some of Britain’s finest established and emerging writers, showcasing the remarkable range, vitality, and imagination of the modern short story.

Drawn from literary magazines, journals, anthologies, and online publications from the past year, the collection spans a wide variety of genres, themes, and styles—from literary realism and dark comedy to experimental fiction and speculative storytelling.

Whether you are a devoted short story reader or discovering the form for the first time, this acclaimed anthology offers unforgettable works filled with wit, emotion, invention, and craftsmanship.

Edited by writer and literary editor Nicholas Royle, the Best British Short Stories series has become a respected fixture of the UK literary landscape and an invaluable resource for readers, writers, and students alike.

Insightful, diverse, and consistently surprising, this volume captures the pulse of contemporary British storytelling at its finest.