Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s Festival of Stories, celebrating the short story in theatre, film, readings and workshops, is in full swing. For full programme, visit www.festivalofstories. com and submit your own 50-word story for publication.

Go to www.saveourshortstory.org.uk to read Endangered Species, the online anthology published on the site over the past year. Contributors Matt Thorne, Chaz Brenchley and Chrissie Glazebrook will discuss the future of the short story at Newcastle’s Live Theatre on Sunday; on October 30, Courttia Newland, Sheree Mack and Rajeev Balasubramanyam talk about black fiction; and contemporary Arab writing is featured on October 31.

At its heart are the stories of Raymond Carver (pictured) and Anton Chekhov, even the unwritten ones. New Writing North has commissioned 11 new stories inspired by themes from Carver and Chekhov’s notes from writers including David Almond, Julia Darling and Andrew O’Hagan. Margaret Wilkinson’s kaput!, a new play inspired by the stories that were finished, runs until October 30. Box office: 0191 232 1232; tickets@live.org.uk.