Information and resource website The Write Lines have made available three podcasts specially produced for National Short Story Week 2011.

Of special interest to SLA Members is the podcast on Children's Fiction, where guests Joe Craig, Jon Mayhew, Tamsyn Murray and Chris Priestley discuss what children like reading, what makes a good protagonist in children's fiction and how children's authors today use social media to connect with their readers.

The presenter, Sue Cook, also introduces a special short story writing competition for Year 7 and 8 students. Those who enter must write a short story of between 900 and 1000 words with the title "The Choice". To take part, students must ask their school librarian to register for the competition. The deadline for entries is 9th January 2012. Full details are available on the National Short Story Week website.

The other two podcasts, on British Short Stories and Women's Fiction, may also be of interest to SLA Members.

Children's Fiction Podcast

Sue Cook interviews Joe Craig, Jon Mayhew, Tamsyn Murray and Chris Priestley.

British Short Stories Podcast

Sue Cook interviews writers Emily Bullock, Stuart Evers, Linda Leatherbarrow, Helen Oyeyemi, Jonathan Pinnock and Nicholas Royle.

Women's Fiction Podcast

Sue Cook interviews writers Rowan Coleman, Sophie King and Sue Moorcroft, including a discussion of writing short stories for popular women's magazines.

The Write Lines

The Write Lines is an information and resource site for aspiring writers, with content provided by published writers, agents, publishers, editors and many more.

Primarily aimed at new and aspiring writers, the programme and website offer advice, information and useful resources from some of the biggest names in the publishing industry.