Continued success for short stories journal

As part of the launch event, Helen will be reading a previously unpublished story. Helen Dunmore said: 'I'm impressed with the flair and determination that Riptide's editors have shown in getting this excellent short story magazine off the ground.  Readers and writers have much to gain from Riptide's existence.'

The 4th volume has 17 stories including pieces by Henry Shukman and Nicolas Hogg. Jane Feaver whose interlinked collection of short stories ‘Love Me Tender’ has recently been published, and Harvill Secker has written the introduction.

The English department at the University of Exeter has informally supported Riptide since its inception. Editors Ginny Baily and Sally Flint who met on the Creative Writing MA at the University of Exeter are current PhD students who have nurtured the journal. Ginny said of the current offering, ‘We’re really pleased with this volume, the number of submissions we get from around the world continues to grow and it was difficult making the final choices.  It’s fantastic to have Helen Dunmore’s new story in this collection as well as other prize winning authors and a couple of relative new comers. ‘

Sally added, ‘We do feel with Volume 4 that Riptide is now well established in the field and will go on growing.  We’re now integrated into the English Department, although as editors we retain our independence and we’re hoping for great things from that alliance.’ 

This incorporation is likely to become an integral part of the research activities and publications within the Centre for South West Writing and its Creative Writing Programme according to Dr Andy Brown Director of Creative Writing and Arts Programme at the University.

He said ‘Riptide offers work placements for BA students as associate editors, and several of our postgraduates have had stories published within. Editors, Ginny Baily and Sally Flint, provide us with a profile at national Creative Writing conferences, and have given talks and master classes at other institutions. Riptide has a presence in national bookshops, and is well known on the short story circuit and will play an integral role in the Department's Children's Writing Conference in 2010.

He added, ‘It's impressive list of patrons, associates, contributors and distinguished Foreword writers, all contribute to Riptide's growing national status and its welcome inclusion in the Department's literary and cultural activities.’