Only two authors to attend prize ceremony

THE organisers of the lucrative Frank O’Connor Short Story Award have criticised those short-listed for the €50,000 prize after only two of the six said they would turn up for the presentation ceremony.

Only writers David Means and Bret Anthony Johnston will be at the black-tie, gala event, with the other shortlisted authors - David Bezmozgis, Alice Hoffman, Tim Winton and Yiyun Li - all staying away.

“It was a stipulation to be shortlisted to attend,” said Pat Cotter of the Minster Literature Centre, the organisation behind the award, which is sponsored by O’Flynn Construction.