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ABCtales
@abctales.bsky.social
610 followers 670 following 550 posts
http://ABCtales.com is the place for writers to share, discuss and develop their talent.
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abctales.bsky.social
This gorgeous, uplifting poem from Penny4athought is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can

www.abctales.com/story/penny4...
Dawn photo: snow lined road by water, trees and hill in distance.
January 30, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
drewgum.bsky.social
New Substack up, featuring @stuhennigan.bsky.social @ortacpress.bsky.social @galleybeggars.bsky.social @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social @davidcollard.bsky.social @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social @renardpress.com Laurel and Hardy, Some Like it Hot. And me.

open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...
On Being Down and Out. Almost.
It’s always interesting to see what sofa, item of rubbish, general detritus from everyday life, has appeared on my street each night.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by ABCtales
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
This Weeks Book Bag is Circulaire by
@poetbex.bsky.social published by
@writtenoffbooks.bsky.social

Also shoutouts/news @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social
@iamb.uk @louisepoetical.bsky.social @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social @thebrokenspine.co.uk

And more
paulwritespoems.bsky.social Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · 6d
This week in The Book Bag, Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth published by Written Off Publishing.

Take 5 and settle in.

'... in my opinion is a masterclass on poetry about life'

Plus news, opps, shoutouts and of course an eclectic playlist.

#TheBookBag
The Book Bag: Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. What a week. Bristol for a conference and back again. A lot of train travel (where I got to talk to some great people and listen to their stories). It did mean I got to meet up with the man, the myth, Matthew MC Smith for a catchup. Did I get lost walking to the restaurant I had picked? Yes! Was it a good choice though? Yes! Aside from my whistle stop 23 hours in Bristol, I spent a little time editing some of my own work and emailing all the wonderful poets who submitted to the Unwhispered Legacy Anthology.
paulwritespoems.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:14 AM
abctales.bsky.social
Odd, disturbing and as visceral ever, this is fine stuff. Anything referencing Kafka and coining a word like "baskination" does it for me. So that's why A Book Report Influenced by the Absurdity of Life by TJW is today's pick of the day.

Do please share.
www.abctales.com/story/tjw/bo...
January 30, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Reposted by ABCtales
poetbex.bsky.social
So chuffed about this wonderfully thoughtful review of my latest chapbook, Circulaire, by @paulwritespoems.bsky.social! 💛

I still have signed copies available. If poetry about home, love, and womanhood is your jam, drop me a DM! (£10 via PayPal, I cover p&p) ☕️

paulwritespoems.com/2026/01/25/t...
The Book Bag: Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. What a week. Bristol for a conference and back again. A lot of train travel (where I got to talk to some great people and listen to th…
paulwritespoems.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:34 PM
abctales.bsky.social
He’s been delving into his family tree.

luigi_pagano is one of the doyens of ABCtales.com so read all about his research in:

‘Relatively Speaking’

It is today’s Pick of the Day.

www.abctales.com/story/luigip...

Please share if you can.
January 28, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
poetbex.bsky.social
Delighted to have a poem in Issue 34 of Sky Island Journal! 🐍

You can read 'Portrait of My Sensory Overload as Two
Minor Cobra-Headed Egyptian Goddesses' below and the rest of the wonderful issue here:
skyislandjournal.com/issues#/issu...
Portrait of My Sensory Overload as Two Minor Cobra-Headed Egyptian Goddesses Bex Hainsworth I: Meretseger Her name means ‘she who loves silence,’ which makes sense when you have only the dead for company. She protects the Theban necropolis, haunts the blissfully empty uncoiling of the desert. Patron of artisans, I wish I had her patience. Listen for the click of copper and faience, the hiss of crumbling sand. When the world swells, I shrink it to the grains rubbing the feet of her small rock temple, picture myself lying down in the heat there and curling my limbs into a sun disk. II: Renenutet Surrogate mother, goddess of fertility and fields. Like you, I am childless with many children. You wrapped pharaohs in your glittering skin, held them from death to birth. I lay out the exam papers like flattened sheaves, imagine Yorkshire wheat, childhood games of hide and seek. I close the curtains, my desk becomes an altar, your shrine inside the cool stone of a granary. I am ready to sift and grind.
January 27, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
drewgum.bsky.social
Last few days of Saltburn being in Renard Press’ Best of 2025 promotion.

50% off
£5

renardpress.com/books/saltbu...
Dave Appleby ... 5 books • 11 followers Following 大 April 16, 2025 In terms of sheer invention, this might be one of the most creative books I have ever read. Saltburn is a set of six overlapping stories in which the weird and wonderful is everyday. Except for Stick of Rock, each story is a surreal bildungsroman of a young boy (at least to start with) involving poverty, parental loss and sexual awakening amid a series of ever more extraordinary adventures. Ryan Dennis ... 2 books • 27 followers Friends ** January 2, 2026 Reading Saltburn, as with all of Gummerson's books, is like having a best friend with you...one that will say outrageous things, continually surprise you, and never let you get sick of them. I highly recommend it. 1 like Like O Comment Adam ... 4 books • 16 followers Friends ** October 29, 2025 This collection of interwoven stories is like a fever dream and Gummerson is an English Vonnegut. I assure you that this statement will make complete sense to you by the time you've reached, I'd say, page 6. What a bloody delight. 3 likes うるト Robert Welbourn ... 4 books • 15 followers Following * June 17, 2025 a fantastic collection of intertwining stories. Gummerson's writing and sense of humour are reminiscent of Vonnegut at his finest; his writing is as heartfelt as it is hilarious, and these tales will entertain and comfort every reader. I cannot recommend this book more.
January 27, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by ABCtales
marandina.bsky.social
My latest story:

'The Devil's Bridge'

www.abctales.com/story/marand...

A salutary tale of eternity
January 27, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
philwhiteland.bsky.social
This should have appeared over the weekend but, it just didn't feel the right time for anything frivolous. it's not much better now, but...
'Digging' - Dolly gets a message, Aefelthrith gets the hump, Gwladys & 'Arry see what they can unearth!
www.abctales.com/story/philwh...
@abctales.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Ever wondered what powers your favourite writing website? Makis has been down in the ABC catacombs! www.abctales.com/story/makis/...
January 27, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
paulwritespoems.bsky.social
This week in The Book Bag, Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth published by Written Off Publishing.

Take 5 and settle in.

'... in my opinion is a masterclass on poetry about life'

Plus news, opps, shoutouts and of course an eclectic playlist.

#TheBookBag
The Book Bag: Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. What a week. Bristol for a conference and back again. A lot of train travel (where I got to talk to some great people and listen to their stories). It did mean I got to meet up with the man, the myth, Matthew MC Smith for a catchup. Did I get lost walking to the restaurant I had picked? Yes! Was it a good choice though? Yes! Aside from my whistle stop 23 hours in Bristol, I spent a little time editing some of my own work and emailing all the wonderful poets who submitted to the Unwhispered Legacy Anthology.
paulwritespoems.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by ABCtales
drewgum.bsky.social
It’s the last week of Saltburn being 50% off in Renard Press’s Best of 2025 promotion. Book your visit for £5.

It’s one novella, four novelettes, and a short story. It’s queer. It’s bonkers. It has killer seals. It has mermaids.

renardpress.com/books/saltbu...

open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...
On the six month anniversary of my book, Saltburn.
Today Saltburn is six months old.
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
ewanl.bsky.social
#PoetryAlert
#HolocaustDay2026
No apologies for reposting this yet again, today of all days.'After Oświęcim' www.abctales.com/story/ewan/a...
January 27, 2026 at 7:10 AM
abctales.bsky.social
Today's Social Media Pick of the Day is SoulFire-77's two-part horror Petrichor.
Please share if you like it too
www.abctales.com/story/soulfi...
www.abctales.com/story/soulfi...

#Pickoftheday #horror
January 26, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
ewanl.bsky.social
#PoetryAlert

Nothing to see here
Random Access Memory

www.abctales.com/story/ewan/r...
January 24, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Reposted by ABCtales
drewgum.bsky.social
#ICYMI as below. Very honoured for my book Saltburn to be included in this @renardpress.com 2025 book a month 50% off sale.

Hit the link and fill your book bags. Or tell a friend.

#SupportIndiePublishing

For some fab books.
renardpress.com Renard Press @renardpress.com · 6d
#ICYMI we’re not done with 2025 yet!

We’ve highlighted a book a month - fab books that might have passed you by. They’re half price – this last week only – so do swing by – and if you missed any, fill yer boots! The 2026 You will appreciate it… 😁

renardpress.com/renard-press... (Link in bio)
January 25, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
poetbex.bsky.social
"Fans of poetry on womanhood will love this collection. This book is an excellent addition to anyone who likes contemporary writing and in my opinion is a masterclass on poetry about life."

Absolutely blown away by this review of Circulaire by the wonderful @paulwritespoems.bsky.social 💛☕️
paulwritespoems.bsky.social Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · 6d
This week in The Book Bag, Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth published by Written Off Publishing.

Take 5 and settle in.

'... in my opinion is a masterclass on poetry about life'

Plus news, opps, shoutouts and of course an eclectic playlist.

#TheBookBag
The Book Bag: Circulaire by Bex Hainsworth
Welcome back to The Book Bag. I hope you’ve had a poetic week. What a week. Bristol for a conference and back again. A lot of train travel (where I got to talk to some great people and listen to their stories). It did mean I got to meet up with the man, the myth, Matthew MC Smith for a catchup. Did I get lost walking to the restaurant I had picked? Yes! Was it a good choice though? Yes! Aside from my whistle stop 23 hours in Bristol, I spent a little time editing some of my own work and emailing all the wonderful poets who submitted to the Unwhispered Legacy Anthology.
paulwritespoems.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:33 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Pandemics, liquid lunches, and Glasgow in the future. This entertaining read from Mark P is our Sunday pick. Enjoy!

www.abctales.com/story/mark-p...
Photo of Glasgow, river Clyde.
January 25, 2026 at 11:23 PM
abctales.bsky.social
An intriguing poem by Shawn Scheer for you today

www.abctales.com/story/shawn-...

(picture credit: tinyurl.com/5d4sru6n)
January 24, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
racheldeering.bsky.social
A poem from me from my last collection, In the Shadow of Gods. Very proud of that collection. Do have a read. 👇
blackboughpoetry.bsky.social Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 7d
‘Sweep your temple clean,
though my body never was one’

@racheldeering.bsky.social from ‘In the Shadow of Gods’

www.blackboughpoetry.com/rachel-deering
January 24, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by ABCtales
drewgum.bsky.social
Great to see Saltburn in @luluallison.bsky.social books of year.

And it’s currently 50% off at @renardpress.com

renardpress.com/books/saltbu...
January 21, 2026 at 9:15 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Gripping and consummately written.

Mark Say's 'Colin' is our story of the week!

www.abctales.com/story/mark-s...
Colin | ABCtales
He was fourteen-years-old, and had caused a dozen deaths
www.abctales.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:29 AM
abctales.bsky.social
Today's #PickoftheDay is Rhiannonw's "Dark and dreary". Few words with great impact, multum in parvo, indeed.
Please share if you like it too.
www.abctales.com/story/rhiann...
January 22, 2026 at 7:17 PM
abctales.bsky.social
One thing I really like about ABCTales is that people post their novels in progress there.

Today I enjoyed Chapter 7 of Bron by Ivan Ok-ish.

Give it a go! A Welsh woman returns to Holyhead from London…

www.abctales.com/story/ivan-o...
Photo of stone cottage with tractor in garage.
January 21, 2026 at 11:41 PM