Pick of the day
Steelie 16
Posted by celticman on Tue, 08 Apr 2025
The snow softens and covers their tracks. He squeezes the boy’s shoulder. The russet flame of a fox. Its snout points in their direction, sniffing the coppery coal smoke in the cold air and settling on them. It peers at them as if they’re part of the falling sky, a cloud wandering like a planchette.
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Steelie 15
Posted by celticman on Thu, 03 Apr 2025
The muffled rumble of trains arriving and departing, the continued hiss of steam escaping from locomotives follow them. Echoing announcements reverberate through the station’s vast hall and beyond. Von Stehle tries to be careful with the boy. His wide, frightened eye, his reluctance to speak or make eye contact gives him time to think. Crisp snow crunching softly under their footsteps.Read morePoem of the week
Features
Story and Poem of the Month
Our Story and Poem of the Month for March, very kindly chosen by onemorething:
Reading what’s posted on the site for a month really does give you a sense of the huge range of wonderful writing on ABCtales.
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Story and Poem of the Week, and Inspiration Point, chosen by di-hard
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Saltburn by Drew Gummerson - Out Now! Link to buy plus a review
I'm very pleased to announce that Saltburn, by our very own Drew Gummerson is out now and available to buy here:
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'Gift, a son's story' by Dan Seagrave - out now!
I'm very pleased to announce the publication of 'Gift, a son's story' by Dan Seagrave. Dan writes as HarryC on ABCTales and is one of our most talented writers.
You can order your copy here (free on Kindle Unlimited)
Read moreWant to join ABCTales?
We've had to suspend the automatic joining facility for a while so if you would like to join us please email
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Posting From Your Android Phone - Fixed!
Some of you have been having issues with posting your work using an android phone. Ewan and John our techie have been working really hard to fix this.
Read moreBee's Journey
Picks of the Month
Chapter 25
Posted by Sooz006 on Thu, 06 Mar 2025
Chapter 25 (No missing chapter. I extended chapter 23 and split it into two.)
Alice stirred, sensing a presence in her room before she opened her eyes. She sat up, terrified, and adjusted to the darkness. The mattress dipped beside her, and a warm hand cupped her cheek.
‘It’s okay, baby. It’s me.’
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Killed By Cows
Posted by Angusfolklore on Tue, 04 Mar 2025
This is not the time to wonder,
as they thunder towards you,
whether they are cows or bulls.
Just run.
You have wandered into a zone
that seemed dangerous to none.
They low and moo and charge,
No thoughts of darkness anywhere,
but this is how life gets you unawares.
and you are there thinking calmly,
how meadow soft their milk white eyes
even as they stampede.
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