Insertponceyfrenchnamehere's blog

After an absence, celticman is back with twelve-noon - a brilliantly gritty new story. As usual, he's posting as he writes so I can thoroughly recommend you join the people following - you won't regret it. I've selected part five as our Story of the Week but do read them all. Poem of the Week goes to Jane Hyphen for 'Your Mother' - her gloriously vituperative portrait of a toxic family member. She doesn't hold anything back! https://www.abctales...

For the month of September our picks have very kindly been chosen by Mark Say: Poem of the month At sea with you by caribou_ A clever and powerful expression of longing that combines the sense of wanting someone with the knowledge that it would be a destructive relationship. It manages to simultaneously convey a sense of ecstasy and foreboding. https://www.abctales.com/ story/caribou/sea-you Other stand-outs were Tangerine Static by lavadis, a...

Poetry Monthly – October Hello all! Thanks to everyone who contributed to Poetry Monthly in September – interesting and diverse contributions as always on the month’s focus of ‘Object’. Have another look at: https://www.abctales.com/story/luigipagano/if-money-was-no-object https://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/entangled-objects This month’s focus is inspired by one of my brother’s odd pieces of art, and its title – I didn’t sign up to this...

Story and Poem for the month of August very kindly chosen by Rhona Miller (love_writing): Attempting to choose two pieces this month has left me with literally no nails left! There has been an overwhelmingly amazing amount of talent in both poetry and prose. I’ve finally selected two pieces which have continued to linger in my head, both for their skill and the emotive responses they’ve provoked. First up is Brooklyn Heart by Michael Valentine...

We have had to suspend the automatic joining facility for a while so if you would like to join us please email admin@abctales.com with your desired username and we will set up an account for you. It's all free!

Story and Poem for the month of July very kindly chosen by Alex Smith (london_calling79): As Benvolio put it: ‘These hot days is the mad blood stirring.’ At this time of year there seems to be something in the air, maybe it’s Mercury in retrograde, morons in the White House or just the fact that it’s been too damn hot to sleep but I’m not complaining as this month has produced some phenomenal writing here on ABCTales. My pick for Poem of the...

Annest Gwilym wrote on ABCTales as Rosa Cruz and won many cherries for her wonderful work. Her debut pamphlet of poetry, Surfacing, is now available from Lapwing Poetry. ISBN: 978-1-910855-81-2 Further details are available here: http://ninemusespoetry.com/ surfacing/

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of well-wisher (John Nandy) after a short illness. John's sister, Bithika let us know yesterday and has said she and the rest of his family have been touched and comforted by the comments left on his final poem, and that they would be proud and pleased if we mentioned him on the front page.. She also sent some photos which she wanted us to include. John will be very much missed by many...

Story and Poem for the month of June very kindly selected by Sean McNulty: Mirror World by Poetonahill https://www.abctales.com/ story/poetonahill/mirror-world I am usually wary of overtly sentimental poetry. I think it’s because I find it a very difficult thing to achieve: to write a poem, a lovely poem, a lovely sentimental poem. It takes some skill to produce something like that without the weight of artifice hanging. Luckily, here at...

Poetry Monthly – July Hello all, Sorry for the delay in Poetry Monthly – I’ve been busy and then sloth-like in the heat when I’ve stopped! June’s focus was ‘In your shoes’ and as usual, ABC writers took it their way and made the focus their own. Here are some pieces to go back to: https://www.abctales.com/story/dihard/your-shoes https://www.abctales.com/story/shannan-lea/mommys-shoes For July, the focus for Poetry Monthly is ‘Golden’. Think...