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.

Cotter is also disappointed by the lack of support by Cork’s main bookshops for this unique award.

Waterstones and Eason bookshops, on Cork’s Patrick Street, have a special display for the Man Booker prize, said Cotter, but nothing for the Frank O’Connor Short Story Award.

What is particularly surprising about the absence of most of the shortlisted writers is that their flights and expenses were to be covered by funds put up by Cork 2005.

The award has already been the subject of some controversy, with high-profile masters of the short story form like William Trevor, Annie Proulx and Alice Munro all left off the shortlist.

Cotter shares the surprise at their exclusion, but asserts it proves the independence of the award’s judging panel.

The winner will be announced at a special ceremony to be held at Cork’s Clarion Hotel tomorrow night.