Rachel Bower

---

On winning The London Magazine Short Story Prize

I am thrilled to have won The London Magazine Short Story Prize, and would like to thank the panel of judges and everyone involved for their time and energy in making this happen, especially during such challenging times.

I am sorry not to be able to offer my thanks in person, but hope to meet everyone in the future, when we are through the current crisis.

My story, ‘Against the Tide’, took its time in coming. It was one of those stories where I had to live with uncertainty in order to write it all – it was only through the writing itself that the mystery revealed itself to me.

The story is about human encounter, but also about loneliness and loss. In these very uncertain times, I hope that writing and reading can offer the possibility of hope, connection and community. I would like to applaud The London Magazine and the many literary magazines, bookshops, artists and arts organisations for their continuing hard work and endurance during these difficult times.

Thank you again – it is a very great honour to join the prestigious short story writers recognised by The London Magazine over the course of its long history.

For more on the Short Story Prize 2019, read The London Magazine’s announcement here.

For more information on Rachel Bower, visit her website.

---

To discover more content exclusive to our print and digital editions, subscribe here to receive a copy of The London Magazine to your door every two months, while also enjoying full access to our extensive digital archive of essays, literary journalism, fiction and poetry.