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abctales.bsky.social
ABCtales
@abctales.bsky.social
590 followers 640 following 480 posts
http://ABCtales.com is the place for writers to share, discuss and develop their talent.
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abctales.bsky.social
The World is Closed. A powerful response to this week's Inspiration Point by Jane Hyphen:

It’s not safe to swim here
The water is toxic
And the sea is tangled
With everything you ever wanted

www.abctales.com/story/jane-h...
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
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poetbex.bsky.social
Honoured to be a part of Ghost Light Lit's stunning new issue, 'of myths & monsters'. Here is my ode to Hecate 🖤
Crossroads By Bex Hainsworth like a signature in the forest frills of an old castle and I’m thinking of Hecate goddess blessing entrances and liminal spaces witch of the way forward mistress of murderers with a smile like a knife of moon keys rust on her belt outlasting their locks a black terrier with yellow eyes trotting at her heels here is Hecate’s mark there is a decision to be made and like a poem you cannot simply stop (like a door, this opens both ways)
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Today's Pick of the Day is Caldwell's taut, compelling and unnerving story, 'The Day She Chose to Be Good'

Do please share on your own social media, if you like it too.
www.abctales.com/story/caldwe...
November 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Another wonderful account from Turlough’s already brimming collection of life writing.

Make your own mind up about Irn Bru!

‘Saturday Night's Alright for Peaches’ is Sunday’s Pick of the Day

www.abctales.com/story/turlou...

Please share if you can.
Author’s own photograph of the ‘exotic view from my college cabin window.’ Shows bridge and tower blocks.
November 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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racheldeering.bsky.social
A poem of mine for this slow approach of Wintering. It’s called Blackthorn.
Illustration of blackthorn and its dark berries. I am the seed that knows no name, I am the happenstance of germination, of endurance. I am the blackthorn, each twist and contortion, I am every layer of bark and every leaf grown and fallen, I am the nighttide of fruit, bletted or food for mistle thrush, the star-white bloom and friend of mottled pug and lonely bee. I am Winter's hope of crooked tree, I am the mistbright blossom of a Hawthorn's sister, I am the Maypole. I am the root and the unturned earth, I am the North Wind, a fence of prickles, I am the rain and the cloud it fell from, I am the worm. I am the black rod, I am a giant's cudgel, I am the pin of slumber, the wood's mother, a broken spell, I am all the tales you tell about me, I am an old wound, healed.
November 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Our Saturday Pick is Jane Hyphen's wry and beautifully written ode to exasperation: www.abctales.com/story/jane-h...
November 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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poetbex.bsky.social
I've now posted signed copies of Circulaire, my new pamphlet from @writtenoffbooks.bsky.social, to six different countries! 📨

I still have copies available, so if cosy odes about family, femininity, and home are your jam, please drop me a comment - £10 via PayPal, I'll cover p&p 💛 ☕️
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Our Pick of the Day is a chapter of beanzie’s ongoing tale, My Dinosaur Era. Brilliant writing. Do read and share it.
www.abctales.com/story/beanzi...
Photo of pintxos.
November 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Somewhere between Richard Matheson and HG Wells.

Caldwell’s “The Second Shadow” is intriguing, mysterious and a tale beautifully told.

It is today’s Pick of the Day

www.abctales.com/story/caldwe...

Please share if you can.
Photo of two dancing shadows against a stony outcrop.
November 13, 2025 at 7:32 PM
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racheldeering.bsky.social
A story from Ross Lowe. Author of Step Forward, Harry Salt.
www.abctales.com/story/rosslo...
Cover of Ross Lowe’s novel. STEP FORWARD, HARRY SALT ROSS LOWE Head of a Figurine Canonical type, Spedos variety Date Early Cycladic II period, Syros phase (2800 - 2300 BC)
November 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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racheldeering.bsky.social
Great new review from the lovely @raindegrey.bsky.social. Very grateful.
Haunting, Elegant, Memorable Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2025 Format: Paperback GET THIS BOOK! Haunting, mythic, incredibly well-written, memorable, deep woods, old legends. Treat yourself to a worthy addition to the bookshelf. You won't regret it. Reviewer’s photo of my book, In the Shadow of Gods.
November 13, 2025 at 5:27 AM
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poetbex.bsky.social
My poem 'The Olive Tree of Vouves' is in the latest issue of
@poetrybrum.bsky.social 🌳 You can read Issue 11.5, exploring the fragility and endurance of nature, here: poetrybirmingham.com/current-issue
Mammoth contemporary, she has been fruiting for four thousand years. Branches twist into minotaur horns, rising from a hollow labyrinth of roots. The vast trunk is bulbous, beautiful; rippled bark tenses like a muscle in the calf of a crouching titan. She is a monument, outlasting empires and human heartache, a weathered ark resisting drought and fire and flood. Every year, twigs plump like knuckles with olives, green currency, ready to anoint kings and restaurant crockery. Her crown is cornucopia, world basket, reaching upwards like Daphne’s arms, dwindling to wreaths. Her heartwood has worn away but, pulseless, she persists.
November 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
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drewgum.bsky.social
And it hit me.

For the first time in a long time both Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel and You: From Pissed to Publication are available from the @beardedbadgerbooks.bsky.social store….

£15 for the full flamingo experience.

www.beardedbadgerpublishing.com/online-store
Copies of Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel and You side by side on my table.
November 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
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ewanl.bsky.social
I'm selling First editions of The Moffat Trilogy and a few copies of poetry collections at Elland Craft Fair in Southgate Methodist Church Elland on Saturday coming. Drop by and meet the author (me).
tinyurl.com/bdzjhcf5
November 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
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bossproofreader.bsky.social
Ours are not true hopes,
more ill-wishes for others,
yet we expect only good in return.
abctales.bsky.social ABCtales @abctales.bsky.social · 6d
Our pick for today packs a punch or two: 'Land of Hope and Fury' by Ewan

www.abctales.com/story/ewan/l...
November 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Our pick for today packs a punch or two: 'Land of Hope and Fury' by Ewan

www.abctales.com/story/ewan/l...
November 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
abctales.bsky.social
Makis brings a glimpse of peace in this troublous time, in our Pick of the Day. Please do share if you enjoy it too

www.abctales.com/story/makis/...
Photo of shire horses and man with plough in field.
November 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
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philwhiteland.bsky.social
Yes, yes, I know it's not Sunday but let's pretend for a bit, eh? Maybe Tuesday could be the new Sunday? Anyway, whatever day it is, it isn't a good day for either Gwladys or Aefelthrith, as we will discover:
www.abctales.com/story/philwh...

@abctales.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
abctales.bsky.social
#PickoftheDay is Turlough's 'Turlough Ó Carolan's Farewell to Turlough Ó Maoláin'.
Like being in the pub with JP Donleavy,Roddy Doyle or Dave Allen. Or maybe all three. Turlough's easy, cosy, self-deprecating humour never fails to make me smile. Do share
www.abctales.com/.../turlough....
November 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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racheldeering.bsky.social
A reminder that you could buy my collection on Amazon or review it there or on Goodreads if you have been lovely enough to buy it already. It really helps. In the Shadow of Gods amzn.eu/d/gRaCt0j
Screenshot of my book cover In the Shadow of Gods Rachel Deering
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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ewanl.bsky.social
Everyone gets a thank you, it's only right ...
tinyurl.com/bdfwjprf
#booksfromthebottomofthepile
November 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
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poetbex.bsky.social
So excited to have a poem in the new issue of
@poetrybrum.bsky.social! Fragility and Tenacity: Nature in the Balance is curated by the wonderful Paul Roberts and I was honoured to be a part of it.

You can read 'The Olive Tree of Vouves' here: poetrybirmingham.com/bex-hainswor...
Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal – Issue 11.5 – Bex Hainsworth – The Olive Trees of Vouves — Poetry Birmingham
Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal – Issue 11.5 – Bex Hainsworth – The Olive Trees of Vouves
poetrybirmingham.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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drewgum.bsky.social
And links to buy!

Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel.

You can book your room direct from Bearded Badger -

www.beardedbadgerpublishing.com/online-store...
SHOP FOR BOOKS | Bbpc
www.beardedbadgerpublishing.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:26 AM
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drewgum.bsky.social
Although my first book was published in 2002, now is the first time I have had two books in print at the same time, Seven Nights and the Flamingo Hotel and Saltburn.

And I’m very proud of both, @beardedbadgerbooks.bsky.social @renardpress.com

Slap on back!

open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...
Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel and Saltburn side by side and flanked by two Keith Haring joyful dancing figures.
November 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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drewgum.bsky.social
And your stay in Saltburn can be booked here -

renardpress.com/books/saltbu...
Saltburn – Renard Press
May the residents of the real Saltburn-by-the-Sea and neighbouring towns forgive my mermaids, my nuclear power stations, my foetus museums and so on and so on. They were written with love. Welcome to ...
renardpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 AM