Master short story writer Alice Munro described short fiction as “a world seen in a quick glancing light”. Though minimalist in word count, the short story is big on impact and ideas.

What is it about this form that connects so deeply with readers? And what is required to make a good work of short fiction?

Airini Beautrais meets one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated fiction writers Patricia Grace (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa); New York Times best-selling author and editor of The Best Short Stories 2023, US author Lauren Groff, and Ockham NZ Book Awards longlisted debut author of Ruin and Other Stories Emma Hislop (Kāi Tahu) to discuss.