'The naked dreamer stands at a crossroads, exposed but empowered.' Headscratchings by celticman www.abctales.com/story/celtic...

Today's #PickoftheDay is part 6 of Terrence Oblong's McCalliog and His Hens. A departure for Mr Oblong, but the quirky but relatable language is of his usual high standard. Please check out all of it, you won't regret it. www.abctales.com/.../ter.../m... Please share on your social media.

The first part of a reassuringly charming and funny Terrence Oblong tale today, here entering the world of academia. Enjoy! www.abctales.com/story/terren...

Goodreads put One Night at Kedasi next to three Matt Dinniman books and honestly I'm not going to argue with the algorithm. My humor gets compared to @mattdinniman.bsky.social a lot lately. I'll take it. linktr.ee/MacAshton #BookSky #IndieAuthor #SciFi

For the weekend crowd. New story by me, Zack. It’s a balloon story. And it was going to end with a child being thrown out the balloon as these stories demand. Instead I did something different.

HarryC continues his brilliant autobiographical series with this account of starting school, very reluctantly, in the mid sixties: www.abctales.com/story/harryc...

On such a gorgeous day as it has been, what more could you ask for than a celebration of a very special flower. Jennifer's 'Dandelions' is today's Facebook, X/Twitter and BlueSky Pick of the Day. www.abctales.com/story/jennif... Please share if you can.

#poetryalert 'Slow Down' Stand well clear, if not that way inclined. www.abctales.com/story/ewan/s...

Morning all. Here's my contribution to #fragmentsfriday. Thank you to @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social and @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social for the platform. Really looking forward to reading all the wonderful poetry posted today.

New poem: 'Atoms' As posted earlied for #fragmentsfriday www.abctales.com/story/marand...

Thoughtful and a pleasure to read. Take a journey of the imagination to a special train station with Makis. 'A Most Unexpected Place' is today's Pick of the Day. Please share if you can. www.abctales.com/story/makis/...

"The propane’s on the house, said Truman. To be honest I haven’t been this excited in I don’t know how long. Are we going to die? I said. And if we do said Truman we’re sure going to have fun doing it." - A truly charming story by @drewgum.bsky.social

New story by me, ‘Zack’ up at Revolution John. “I got the raw end of the deal. Matt got pop’s 1975 Chevy Caprice convertible and I got the hot air balloon.” revolutionjohnjournal.wordpress.com/2026/04/23/a...

My latest story: Prophesy: The Immortal Witch part 19 The Press call www.abctales.com/story/marand...

Happy Earth Day!! 🌎 Approximately 71% of our planet’s surface is water and if you fancy reading some oceanic poetry, then look no further than Walrussey 🦭 My debut pamphlet was published by Black Cat Poetry Press in 2023 and I still have a signed author copies available 💙

I have been writing this for a long time. I really need to actually finish it to see if its worth doing something with. #writing #write #fiction

Today's Pick is the start of a delightful tale for children and any adult who loves the fantastic. Say hello to Amanderella Gottsnobbler! www.abctales.com/story/eric-m...

A new start up for the enterprising Bron is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can www.abctales.com/story/ivan-o...

Today's #POD is Marandina's 'The Expanse'. A fine poem, living up to the title. One might even call it numinous, perhaps. Poetry is the best way to address the ineffable, so that's why this is our pick of the day today. Please share if you like it too. www.abctales.com/story/marand...

#BooksFromTheBottomOfThePile As some may not be aware. Amazon/KDP pay royalties 6 weeks in arrears. Some might say they mean in "ourarse". I'm planning on a Lamborghini on April 30th! Feel free to order one of my excellent books so I can afford two Lamborghinis ... www.amazon.co.uk/stores/autho...

In this week’s writing diary On Putting Together a Short Story Collection Some short story news, an interview, a trip to the pub, with a dog, and some influences. open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...

‪ Very happy to have my work picked by the wonderful @abctales.bsky.social last night 💙 Thank you! 🙏

I'm looking for advanced readers for my short story collection, The Dark Humor Will Continue Until Morale Improves: 10 Short Stories About Fascism and Corporate F**kery (out June 2) Sign up for an early copy: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #Satire #BookBluesky

‪ Today's #POD is Marandina's 'The Expanse'. A fine poem, living up to the title. One might even call it numinous, perhaps. Poetry is the best way to address the ineffable, so that's why this is our pick of the day. Please share if you like it too. www.abctales.com/story/marand...

Calling all poets! We have a shiny new writing challenge on ABCTales.com! www.abctales.com/blog/insertp...

celticman's writing is always gripping, uncompromising, and darkly funny, and his new series is no exception. This is our Sunday pick. Enjoy! www.abctales.com/story/celtic...

Pick of the Day - the 7th of 9 episodes in this quite unusual series of short pieces. I haven't figured out what's going on but am very much in for the ride. www.abctales.com/story/lille-...

In case you were wondering! www.abctales.com/blog/philwhi... @abctales.bsky.social

For those suffering from Aefelthrith and Gwladys withdrawal symptoms)which, I'm told, can be most unpleasant) you can alleviate the worst of these by diving into their origin, here: getbook.at/ChroniclesPr... @abctales.bsky.social

#poetryalert Never thought I'd be thanking a Pope for anything, but he did give me the title. A Handful of Tyrants www.abctales.com/story/ewan/h...

My latest story: Prophesy: The Immortal Witch Part 18 The Book of Revelations www.abctales.com/story/marand...

New interview with me over on the Substack. Thank you @paulburston.bsky.social for the questions. substack.com/@paulburston...

Here’s an evocative chapter from a hugely promising work-in-progress. ‘Chapter 21 - Paul Oakenfold at The Escape - Part 3’ by Vincent Burgess is today’s Pick of the Day. www.abctales.com/story/vincen... Please share if you can.

It’s time to come out swinging. You care about short stories? Please read The Hotdog Short Story Manifesto. substack.com/@drewgummers...

What's it like to drive trucks for an elder god? Can you be a good coworker when the corporate AI has it out for you? Who gets to decide if the big red button gets pushed? My new short fiction collection is up for preorder! Bookshop: bookshop.org/a/12985/9798... #Books #Booksky #Ebooks #Kindle

Incredible writing. SoulFire77’s Ridgeline is our Pick of the Day. Do read and share. www.abctales.com/story/soulfi...

Every wondered what your brain is really doing when you’re out on a date. This funny piece from Paul Dunn is Making Sense of it All. www.abctales.com/story/paul-d...

From a collection called "A Story a Week": because that's how I wrote it. In the end it took 53 weeks to write (+ the word-wrestling to make each one make sense + arranging them). Controversial? Not everything is black-and-white - and I hope that comes across. www.abctales.com/story/ewan/j...

If you’re in America and want some bonkers British seaside stories featuring mermaids, killer seals, nuclear power station meltdowns it seems you can order my latest, Saltburn, from Barnes and Noble. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saltburn-d...

Too many amazing pull quotes to fit in one image. Thanks for the kind words WC Book Club, so glad you enjoyed your adventure to Kedasi. If you like defunct theme park asteroids, giant talking shrimp and snarky ship captains, get a copy here: linktr.ee/MacAshton #Books #BookReview #Books #Writer

Today's Pick of the Day is Lille Dante's pared-down and dense with meaning piece , "End of Beginning". Part of a larger work, it shows real skill. Do please share if you like it too. www.abctales.com/story/lille-...

Our Pick for Sunday is a beautiful poem from Angusfolklore about a quiet absence that is a presence in itself: www.abctales.com/story/angusf...

Thanks to Alan Roberts @roadsongbooks.bsky.social for this brilliant review of Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel. “Cheeky as **** , this is Viz meets Citizen Kane” A shiny new edition is available from @beardedbadgerbooks.bsky.social www.beardedbadgerpublishing.com/online-store...

'Penny's Pass the Story - Part 10' A writing challenge at @ABC_Tales The end and the beginning 3/3 www.abctales.com/story/marand...

'Penny's Pass the Story - Part 6' A writing challenge at @abctales.bsky.social Cops and robbers, donuts and desperados 2/3 www.abctales.com/story/marand...

Pick of the Day from RhiannonW - just a happy memory, now that it's turned cold and unsettled again, but looking forward to more days like these along the way. www.abctales.com/story/rhiann...

Very happy that my story Joe, a dinosaur theme park story with hotdogs got Pick of the Day and Story of the Week at @abctales.bsky.social - thank you. www.abctales.com/story/drewgu...

My latest story: 'Penny's Pass the Parcel Part 10' www.abctales.com/story/marand... An ABCTales writing challenge. It's the best I could do...

And here’s Joe - a dinosaur theme park flash story with hotdogs. Give it a go. It comes with or without mayo. And has plenty of dinosaurs. #ShortStories open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...

Drew Gummerson's 'Joe - a dinosaur theme park story with hotdogs' is our splendid and very funny Story of the Week: www.abctales.com/story/drewgu...