THE work of a Tavistock author will be published across the globe after he won an international writing award.

Tom Vowler, 38, was one of four writers selected from 12 nominees to win the Scott Prize for his collection of short stories, They May Not Mean To But They Do.

The Scott Prize is an international annual prize for a first collection of short stories from which winners receive a publishing contract from independent publisher Salt, with publication in the UK, USA and Australia.

Tom said he was really excited about winning: 'I am thrilled to win the Scott Prize, which means my collection will reach a wider audience. It feels like a significant breakthrough.

'This is a wonderful opportunity for me. It is the culmination of years and years of hard work and it will be great to see the finished product in the summer.'

They May Not Mean To But They Do involves revenge, love, jealousy, hope, loss and some humour, as well as a theme of dubious parenting in some of the stories.

'I'd like to think that there's something for everyone in the stories —tales that shock and inspire, move and stir the reader. It's encouraging to see short stories making a comeback here, they've always been hugely popular in other parts of the world.'

Tom is also currently writing a novel, which is set largely on Dartmoor, after receiving a £5,000 grant from the Arts Council.

He said: 'Once my feet are back down to earth I shall crack on with writing my novel.'