Pick of the day
Dead Man: 4
Posted by HarryC on Sun, 08 Jun 2025
Some things happen so fast that the brain is unable to register them. Like a bullet firing from a gun. Other things happen at a speed that allows for some brief cognition of the event. A fall from a high building, or a plane crash. Precious seconds or minutes in which to know what’s coming, and what it will mean. Time enough, maybe, to say a few words to oneself, have some final thoughts.
Read moreStory of the week

J. C. Jones V - Let us Eat
Posted by hudsonmoon on Sat, 31 May 2025
“Oh, no, no, no, not this time,” said J. C. “Everyone! Get yourselves to the other side of the table. Mary? You slide closer to me. Judas? Front and center where I can see you.”“Ah, jeez,” said Judas. “That was so long ago. Let it go already. And what’s she doing here?”
“Mary’s my soul mate.”
“Aw, back at ya, J. C.,” said Mary.
“I don’t remember her at our last stag party,” said John. “You sure about this?”Read more
Poem of the week
Perverse Future
Posted by skinner_jennifer on Thu, 05 Jun 2025
Dear diary...
How I long for breathing space,
Evoking past is all it takes
To fulfill measure of time...
Hiding doubts reflected in
Disenchantment from
Personal negative world –
Living inside technological
Addiction, both taxing and
Distressing, ever changing,
Read moreFeatures
Story and Poem of the Month
Our Story and Poem of the Month for May, very kindly chosen by Di_Hard:
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Story and Poem of the Week, and Inspiration Point
Story and Poem of the Week, and Inspiration Point, chosen by di-hard
Read more'Dead Reckoning' by Philip Whiteland. Out Today!
For all Archibald and Josiah fans (and I know we have many on ABCTales), I'm very pleased to announce that Dead Reckoning by Philip Whiteland is available today in paperback and can be ordered with this link:
Read moreSaltburn by Drew Gummerson - Out Now! Link to buy plus a review
I'm very pleased to announce that Saltburn, by our very own Drew Gummerson is out now and available to buy here:
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 morePosting 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

Triumphant Folly In The Park
Posted by skinner_jennifer on Thu, 01 May 2025
My Thoughts Dear diary...
Embodiment of esteemed antiquity
delivered through energetic spring;
dappled light emerges in resolution
where trembling leaves are displayed;
Imagine! Entranced, anticipating
poem befitting of this moment,
constant surroundings stand test
of time...blissfully I'm aware.
There's no topple transpiring,
Read more
The Fish on the Hill
Posted by Turlough on Wed, 07 May 2025
My April, the first of two parts, and restricted to 100 words per day so that I can’t be accused of banging on about it.
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