Blogs

Huge thanks to Kevin Buckle (parsonthru) for this month's picks: I’ve enjoyed reading the picks of the week for November, which has produced an eclectic set of pieces. Please see my notes below. In terms of selection – always a subjective choice – it was difficult to choose from strong and memorable contenders. For Poem of the Month, it’s difficult to separate seashore’s “ Blue ” with its matter-of-factness in the face of grievous serial...

I've just emerged from that period of considerable uncertainty which is the time between publishing a book and getting the first review for it. You see, it's all very well to thrust your work out there to a generally indifferent public and get a few (in this case, very few) sales but it is quite another to find out what people actually thought of your magnum opus. The answer can be quite traumatic. Some time ago, I allowed myself to be flattered...

(Before) Have to have a scan on my shoulder. The joint is wobbly, keeps coming out of its socket. The MRI 'centre' is not part of the main hospital, I was told: "Drive past the car park, round the back, buzz in at the barrier. It's a set of porta-cabins". It certainly was. We found it fine but I felt a sense of foreboding entering. MRI reception; small waiting area with 4 other people, who might have been together but no one was talking. A table...

I am delighted to be able to announce that ABCtales is to carry on. A group of members including rjnewlyn, insertponceyfrenchnamehere, philip sydney, airyfairy and seashore have agreed to take on the responsibility for running the site. There are structural changes behind the scenes - it will be a pure Charity for now on, for example - but the day to day stuff will remain much the same. This means that you, the members, will have a far greater...

We create connections where there are none, Elie Wiesel’s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1978, was in the winter months and fell on the same day as my birthday. Night is a slim volume, able to be read in one sitting. But it is a holy book, and in these increasingly dark times, it asks the hard question of what happens when. I dreamed my elder brother stood by my bed and mouthed words of warning. Ghosts speak and what our...

Welcome, Sadness, I sensed you'd come today. But, you won't make a habit of always wanting to stay. I know I'd let you in the past, you certainly made the most of that...So you're welcome, Sadness, now the exit's that way. Welcome, Fear, I sensed you'd come today. But, you won't make a habit of always wanting to stay. I know I'd let you in the past, you certainly made the most of that...So you're welcome, Fear, now the exit's that way. Welcome,...

I predicted 4—1 to Celtic before kick-off. My predictions usually hit the bar and go out for a corner, so no great surprise there. The bookies were laughing, yet again. Celtic’s hundredth-trophy win, fling in the Scottish Premier League that’s one-hundred and one and if it’s as easy as this then it won’t be long until the Scottish Champions hit two-hundred. Aberdeen got a boost before the game with the omission of Scott Sinclair who has went...

Congrats go to well wisher and Rosa Cruz this week and the IP looks across the water. Do with it what you will! https://www.abctales.com/story/well-wisher/martians https://www.abctales.com/story/rosa-cruz/surfacing https://www.abctales.com/inspiration-point-ip A darn fine effort all round this week - keep it up!

Lionel Messi was meant to be a sick note, not a seen it, done it message– he only scored two goals in just over ninety minutes here, one a penalty, which doesn’t really count. His first came from another tax dodger currently under investigation by the Spanish authorities (why can’t we do that here?) Up until that point Andy Rat and me had been celebrating each ten minute spell that passed without Barca scoring, me with a pint. Andy with a coke...

A message from Ewan: 'Just received Author's complimentary copies of Gibbous House, which began life on here many years ago. Thanks to all who encouraged me in those early days' You can pre-order your copy here (and ABCTales gets a cut from every copy!): http://tinyurl.com/zsyct3c