Jessie Burton has been picked to be on the judging panel for this year’s BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University (NSSA). Alongside her on the judging panel will be BBC News journalist and presenter Reeta Chakrabarti, who is chairing the BBC NSSA’s for the 18th year; Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle; award-winning writer Laura Dockrill; and TV presenter and children’s author Konnie Huq.

On being one of this year’s judges, Jessie has said: “I am thrilled to be judging this year’s excellent competition. Short stories can delight, amuse, inform and challenge the status quo, and year after year, the BBC National Short Story Award proves that the artform is thriving. I’m looking forward to reading and discussing mostly unpublished writing, and shining a light on new talents.”

As of today (Thursday 12th January) submissions are open for the award and will close on Monday 13th March. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 26th September.