Diana Evans' short story Broth features in Fictionable's first print edition

Three years after the literary journal’s launch, Fictionable is presenting its first print edition, which will feature Diana Evans’ short story Broth. A launch event will take place at south London store Chener Books next month.

Evans will also introduce her collection of essays I Want To Talk To You (Penguin), while writer Catriona Bolt is set to discuss her own short story, Bloom. The free event will take place at Chener Books in Dulwich, south London on 4th February, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Fictionable founder Richard Lea, who launched the web-based literary quarterly in 2022, revealed how the first print edition was inspired by local independent bookshops. "This edition was an idea from one of our stellar advisory panel, and developed after independent booksellers in south London including Review, Rye Books and Chener Books said they’d love to have it on the shelves," he told The Bookseller.

"Small publishers were very generous with their advice about the business of getting words on paper – hat tip to Sam Jordison and Eloise Millar at Galley Beggar Press – and the design echoes the clean lines of the Fictionable site. But it’s really all about Diana’s knockout story, which explores female friendship, illness and identity, and finding a new way to get that marvellous slice of short fiction into readers’ hands."