tcook's blog

Over the years many of you have asked for a critiquing service and it has taken a long time to find (a) someone good enough to do it well and (b) someone who will charge what we regard as a reasonable

We've had problems with our server over the past few days and it's taken a bit to get it sorted.

C.J. Flood - or, as we know her, Chelsey Flood - has her first book out with Simon and Schuster.

I am often asked what is the ideal length of a piece of prose to post on here - and the answer is 1500 to 2000 words.

The winner is:

Sunday's Child for this heart-rending poem:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sundayschild/infinite-sky

The anthology of the Poetry Pentathalon entries is now out at a price of £6.99.

Jennifer Pickup's 'Unbelievable' is out!

Long time ABCtaler Derek Rogers, better known as jingle on here, has had his children's book 'Blackmore's Treasure' selected by Helen Hollick, the Editor of the Historical Novel Society.

Congratulations (and £100 prizes) go to Judygee and Kilb50 and the runners up (with £25 prizes) are Alison McManus and albamac.

Joe is 'spack' on ABCtales and his first novel 'Submarine' has met with huge success, including being made into an excellent film.

That's the title of the new book of poetry by ABCtales member Swep Lovitt - known on here as bosch.

That's the title of the new children's book by ABCtales member Richard Penny - better known on here as Blighter's Rock.

The latest issue of ABCtales Magazine is now available to buy or download from:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/ABCtalesMagazine

After much deliberation the jury, i.e. me, has reported back and I'm pleased to say that the winners are:

Prose:

Winner: Alan Green

Great news! Jennifer Pickup has reached her funding target on Unbound - thanks to you lot.

The wonderful wilkybarkid has put together a book of all the entries from our last 'Let's Start Again' competition.

It's available, price £5.99, from:

There's two great new books for kids illustrated by ABCtaler El Ashfield and written by Corinne Davies.

Just to let you all know that long term member Chelsey Flood has signed a major book deal with Simon and Schuster (and Arena in Germany).

A review by Tony Cook:

This is a book written by Lucy Mathen. The first line of the introduction tells you she is a pain in the arse. I wish there were more pains in the arse like her.