Shrt stry awrd - anncmnt Mnday

Editor's note. Update: of course, the award has now been announced. Kate Clanchy is the winner. The Telegraph covered the announcement, as did The Guardian. Congratulations to Kate Clanchy! - SB

Not long now until our final meeting in a discreet London venue, to pick this year's winner. Which isn't going to be easy at all.

Meantime, not only are the stories going out on air each day at 1530 and available in the normal 'listen again' fashion - as are the five interviews with the authors on Front Row - but for the first time, and for two weeks only, we are able to offer the five stories as a podcast and as downloads for your MP3 player. It's very easy to do - just visit the series' podcast page where you'll find directions. Either subscribe to the podcast and get all five stories delivered to your MP3 player or right-click to download each story to your computer directly - to keep forever.

And the animated video clips, are all still available here. It's proved an interesting process finding visuals which reflect but don't distract from the audio - and my colleagues Rob and Hannah have done an excellent job I think. You can also check out Naomi Alderman's blog where she has written a lovely piece on her native Hendon.

And for those of you who prefer to read the stories in the old-fashioned way, Short Books have just published a beautiful anthology containing all five and an introduction from our Chair Tom Sutcliffe, which is available in all good book shops, and a perfect treat for Christmas.

As for me, I'm just going to re-read the stories one more time.

Di Speirs is Editor, Readings at BBC Radio 4

• In the press, chair of judges and Front Row presenter Tom Sutcliffe wrote a hymn of praise to the short story for The Independent. Alison Flood in The Guardian remarked on the all-female shortlist. Janice Turner in The Times notes that although she can't remember her cleaner's second name, shortlisted author Kate Clanchy can and has written a whole book about hers. The South Yorkshire Star notes with pride that shortlisted author Jane Rogers teaches at the region's Sheffield Hallam University and the Manchester University press office is pleased to point out that faculty member Dr Jennifer Rowntree helped Sara Maitland with her shortlisted story The Moss Witch as part of 'a unique collaboration between scientists and authors'.
• The winner will be announced live on next Monday's Front Row at 1915.
• Story is a campaign for shorter stories. It's run by Book Trust, co-organisers of the awards.