A Dorchester author has been recognised for her creativity in a national award.

Gail Aldwin's Paisley Shirt has been longlisted in the Best Collection of Short Stories category in the 2018 Saboteur Awards.

Organised annually by Sabotage Reviews, the Saboteur Awards highlight the achievements of small-scale literature and live spoken word shows that might not otherwise achieve critical and public attention.

Nominations are entirely from the public and more than five thousand votes were cast in the first round. To be longlisted in these awards means that the work has come in the top fifteen nominations nationally for the category.

Published by Chapeltown Books, Aldwin’s Paisley Shirt contains twenty-seven short fiction stories that reveal the extraordinary nature of people and places. Through a variety of characters and voices, these stories lay bare the human experience and what it is like to live in our world.

Aldwin said: "I am delighted Paisley Shirt has been longlisted in the Best Short Story category of the Saboteur Awards 2018. It is a joy to see my work alongside the collections of notable writers such as Tania Hershman, Tom Vowler and Jude Higgins. This recognition for Paisley Shirt comes directly from the public and I would like to thank everyone for their votes."

Maria Donovan, Bridport resident and author of the chicken soup murder described Paisley Shirt as "a collection of great depth and variety, packed with emotional integrity".

Aldwin is also chairman of the Dorset Writers’ Network and works with the steering group to inspire writers and connect creative communities.

On Sunday, May 13 she will be sharing strategies and techniques for writing short fiction through a workshop delivered at Waterstones in Dorchester.

Paisley Shirt can be purchased from Bookshop Bridport, Serendip in Lyme Regis, Gullivers in Wimborne and The Swanage Bookshop. It is also available online.

For further information see the Dorset Writers Network website at dorsetwritersnetwork.co.uk/events-3/events/

Bridport’s Apothecary - a spoken word event held on the second Tuesday of every month from 7pm at the Beach and Barnicott - was also recognised in the awards.

It has been nominated in the Best Spoken Word Regular Night.