Students and locals reveal Devon’s character through story-telling

University of Exeter students, alumni and staff have contributed to a new book of short stories about Devon. The seventh edition of the journal Riptide features a record number of stories by students, including the first from an undergraduate.

From Exmouth Beach and Dartmoor to a Plymouth building site, the volume captures the essence of contemporary life in Devon.

In Inches, undergraduate English student Gregory Hoare writes about a teenager from a Dartmoor market town hoping to make a new life for himself in London. The first undergraduate student to ever have his work published in Riptide, Gregory says: “I am delighted that my story has been selected to appear in Riptide. Many publications appear intimidating to younger writers, but Riptide is an accessible journal dedicated to publishing great stories – regardless of age or reputation. I now feel confident that I can continue to progress as a writer, and be successful, like so many Exeter graduates, in a field that has enchanted me since childhood.” 

88-year-old Roland Tuson, who has lived in Exeter for over 80 years, also makes his publishing debut. In his autobiographical piece, Roland reflects: “There is very little that remains of the Exeter I knew as a boy eighty years ago. The Exeter that existed then, in particular that area in which I spent my boyhood days, the canal and river, has today changed beyond recognition.”

Additional contributions come from University of Exeter postgraduate students David Goodchild, Sue Belfrage and Ben Smith; alumni Luke Kennard, Ginny Baily and Vanessa Gebbie; and academics Sam North and Martin Sorrell. Other local writers include Helen Chaloner and Bill Eaton.

In a foreword to the book, MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw says: “This eclectic and wide-ranging collection of stories with a Devon theme took me to new places and opened new insights about a county I thought I knew so well. This volume shows how Devon can be both the inspiration for creativity and the place where creativity is practised.

“Riptide, Devon born and bred, is still here at the 7th volume, self-funding, growing and expanding, establishing its own identity in the literary world, championing short stories.”

Riptide Editor Ginny Baily says: “This collection of 15 short stories presents us with unexpected views of Devon, worlds away from the clichéd cream teas, sunny beaches and rolling hills. We see a county in which some people feel trapped and to which others long to return. The stories reflect the way people living here are feeling in the midst of a recession. It is wonderful to have had contributions from such a wide range of people: from students who have just been here for a short time to people who have lived here for decades.”

Riptide is a bi-annual anthology of new short fiction by both established and emerging writers. The editors, Ginny Baily and Sally Flint are both published authors and graduates of the University of Exeter’s Creative Writing MA and Riptide is based in and supported by the University’s College of Humanities.

The journal is committed to providing a forum for high quality, innovative fiction, expanding the readership of the short story genre and enhancing its standing. Riptide invites work by prominent authors who believe in the continuing importance of the short story, but aims to include new voices in every issue.

The book is produced in collaboration with Wordquest Devon (WQD) as part of its mission to encourage new writing about Devon. WQD Creative Producer Sarah Cobley says: “The chance to work with Riptide to provide opportunities for writers to develop fresh and innovative stories about the place where they live has been very important in meeting the project’s goals. Emerging writers, of any age, are seldom given the chance to be published in such a prestigious literary journal. My hope is this will encourage Devon’s newest writers to continue with their creative development and to keep entering work for publication.”

Riptide can be purchased online and is available at selected bookshops.