airyfairy's blog

Thank you again for so much wonderful writing this week. There's been some intensely personal pieces, some commentary on the world, some beautiful pieces of nature writing, some marvellous escapism. Welcome to all those who have just joined us, and to old friends who have returned. Our Story of the Week is the latest chapter of Sooz006's 'Break The Child'. This stands alone brilliantly, but if you haven't read the preceding chapters, please...

Lots of good stuff again this week and, again, lovely to see lots of new writing talent joining us. Story of the Week goes to the ninth chapter of Sooz006's series 'Break The Child'. I'm thoroughly enjoying these stories, which are so rich in characterisation, and this one, 'Melting', goes straight to the heart. Please do read the rest of them, if you haven't already: https://www.abctales.com/story/sooz006/break-child-chapter-nine-melting Poem...

Another marvellously creative week from ABC Talers, and lovely to welcome new members and some returning old friends. Story of the Week goes to Sean McNulty's 'We Can Do Your Weeds'. I am so enjoying this series of tales about a group of extremely Unlikely Lads, and this is one of the best so far: https://www.abctales.com/story/sean-mcnulty/we-can-do-your-weeds Poem of the Week is Catherine Poarch's joyful 'Dolphinical'. The energy, movement and...

Once again, loads of thanks to all you wonderful ABCTalers for so many splendid contributions to the site. We know from feedback how much pleasure, inspiration and support our members get from each other, and it feels especially important right now. Also delighted to see that two of our writers, Penny4athought and Laurie Avadis, have new books out: https://www.abctales.com/blog/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/perfect-second-... https://www.abctales...

As you would expect from all the talent on here, we've had some great pieces reflecting on the current situation, some with sadness, some with anger, and some with humour. We have writers from all over the world, so wherever you are, I do hope that you and yours are staying safe. Please keep posting on here - on a selfish note, we will worry about you if you're not around! This week's Picks are not Covid-19 related - they're two very contrasting...

It gets harder and harder to make these weekly picks, because there's just so much good stuff on the site at the moment. After much deliberation, Story of the Week goes to the first part of Drew Gummerson's new series 'The Aquarium'. Splendid, rambunctious writing, amazing characters and some laugh-out-loud moments. In other words, exactly what you'd expect from this author. And it comes with a splendiferous Louis Armstrong clip: https://www...

January has certainly felt a lot less bleak with all the brilliant stuff currently being posted on ABC Tales. Lots of splendid writing to enjoy, which makes it even harder to make the week's choices. Story of the Week goes to the first chapter of Talo Segura's series about Milo. I was instantly drawn into the story and completely absorbed by the setting and the characters. Please do go on and read the other parts as well. You definitely won't be...

A couple of real crackers for you this week (pun definitely intended). Our Poem of the Week is 'Exhaling Stars' by the-real-jaw. Beautiful use of language and symbolism together with sharp observation of the world in all its bleak reality. It's a tremendous piece of work: https://www.abctales.com/story/real-jaw/exhaling-stars Story of the Week goes to Part 4 of Canonette's marvellous 'UV'. Another example of sharp observation married wtih humour...

Once again a big thank-you this week to all those who came to the Reading Event last Saturday. It was splendid, there was so much good stuff to listen to, and some highly enjoyable socialising afterwards. Here's to the next one! Our Poem of the Week was one of the pieces that was read out, 'Mars' by lavadis. It was a treat to hear the author read it, and it's as much of a treat to see it on the page: https://www.abctales.com/story/lavadis/mars...

Many, many thanks to everyone who has contributed to ABC Tales via Just Giving this year. We literally wouldn't be here without you! Just Giving no longer provide us with names of donors unless they leave a message with their donation. We could obtain the list of names but we would have to pay a monthly fee of £15 for that, and it would eat into ABC's funds. So, if you donate, please do leave a message on our Just Giving site, or email jane@...