“The Stench of Freedom” has made the British Science Fiction Association Award 2026 Long List for Best Shorter Fiction

Well, 2026 has been quite eventful already! I’m on the Long List for the BSFA Award for Best Shorter Fiction 2026!

Fresh from the exciting news that my Writers of the Future winning story, “The Stench of Freedom”, received a double star rating on the prestigious Tangent Online Recommended Reading List 2025, came the fantastic-and nigh on unbelievable-news that it’s also been long-listed for perhaps the most prestigious award in British science fiction and fantasy: the BSFA Award.

This recognition is the cherry on the top of all the many positive reviews for “The Stench of Freedom” since it was published in April 2025. I’m very honoured and somewhat stunned to feature among a list of such established SFF writers, and very grateful for the nomination.

Members of the BSFA have until 19 February 2026 to cast their vote.

If there are any members who are still wondering which story to select, I’d be grateful if they’d please consider mine. If you’ve not yet had a chance to read it, during the voting period my story will be available to download or read below.