Crisis to benefit from new anthology of short stories

Crisis is to benefit from the publication of a new anthology of short stories around the theme 'home'. Published by Stripes, an imprint of the independent children's publisher Little Tiger, I'll Be Home for Christmas will include a range of short stories and poems for Young Adults.

The book will go on sale in September 2016, with at least £1 from the sale of each book to be donated to Crisis’ 2016 Christmas appeal. Stripes has committed to giving at least £10,000 through the initiative.

Authors, including Tom Becker, Holly Bourne, Sita Brahmachari, Melvin Burgess, Katy Cannon, Sarah Crossan, Juno Dawson, Julie Mayhew, have been asked to produce an original piece of fiction responding to the idea of what home means at Christmas.

Featuring alongside some of the stories by these authors will be one brand-new, as yet unpublished, author. In partnership with the The Bookseller YA Book Prize, Stripes has launched a competition to discover new talent. Entrants are asked to submit an original short story on the theme of ‘home at Christmas’. The winning story will be published in the anthology and the author will be invited to appear at this year’s Young Adult Literature Convention (YALC).

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “We are thrilled to be benefitting from this unique anthology, which will not only raise vital funds to help us support more people out of homelessness, but will also get younger generations thinking about the meaning of home. It is nothing short of a tragedy that anyone should experience homelessness in 21st century Britain. We are determined that no one should face the devastation and isolation of homelessness and the next generation, including the readers of this new book, will play a crucial role in our efforts to end homelessness for good.”

The closing date for the YA Short Story Prize is 1st April 2016 and details of how to enter can be found at here.