While submissions are open for the Galley Beggar Prize Short Story Prize 2016/17, we'll be posting a classic short story for our friends and entrants to access freely.

 

First up is Ambrose Bierce's 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge'. Written in 1890, Bierce's abandonment of linear narrative in favour of the internal thoughts of the narrator is regarded as one of the earliest examples of stream-of-consciousness. Known also for its twist-ending, the story has won a legion of fans - including Kurt Vonnegut, who said: "I consider anybody a twerp who hasn't read the greatest American short story, which is 'An Occurrence At Owl Creek' by Ambrose Bierce."

 

You can read the story here. 

 

Or, if you prefer, listen to it here.

 

Finally, a measured assessment of Bierce can be found in this New York Times article.

 

If you'd like to enter the prize, you can do so here.