Pick of the day
Sean Happens 3
Posted by celticman on Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Dad was sitting dozing outside the kitchen on a hard wooden seat. His balding head and ear were scarlet, and the sun had taken a blowtorch to his nose. His yellowing vest kept his belly from spilling over his shorts. An ashtray and can of can of lager were sitting underneath his chair. His eyes fluttered open when Mr Martin guided Sean towards the backdoor.
Read moreStory of the week
Poem of the week
a dumbness of mallets
Posted by JupiterMoon on Sun, 14 Apr 2024
a dumbness of mallets
the first warm sunday
of the year, the sun
barely up and yawning
before men grunt in garages,
clatter in sheds,
unsheathing power tools
with more care and attention
than their children have ever known,
expectant window faces,
Read moreFeatures
Story and Poem of the Week and Inspiration Point
I've been stuck at home this week with Covid and it's been a very welcome distraction to read all your wonderful writing so thank you!
Read moreABCTales Online Reading Event - UPDATE!
I'm very pleased to announce that we're having another of our brillant online reading events on Saturday May 18th at 7pm!
Read moreWant to join ABCTales?
We've had to suspend the automatic joining facility for a while so if you would like to join us please email
Read moreStory and Poem of the Month
Our Story and Poem of the Month for March very kindly chosen by Jane Hyphen:
Read more
Posting From Your Android Phone - Fixed!
Some of you have been having issues with posting your work using an android phone. Ewan and John our techie have been working really hard to fix this.
Read moreBee's Journey
Picks of the Month
stars over kennet
Posted by JupiterMoon on Mon, 04 Mar 2024
stars over kennet
star lit stones
wrap around me
and i am held rapt
for a pitch-black procession
the memory of daylight
sleeping
beneath frosted ice
drawn down low
the cosy pelt of night
feels close enough to reach
and i want to pocket stars -
not to light my way
but because they are companions;
Read moreWindfall.
Posted by celticman on Mon, 18 Mar 2024
We had a great interest in ghosts, prompted by a fear of being called a shitebag for turning down a dare when we were younger. In a less than spooky way, it might even have been stronger than our allegiance to playing football, or our general interest in girls and their shortcomings.
Read more