scratch's blog

Long-time ABCtaler and editor, sid took on the incredibly difficult task of scrutinising the June submissions. Here’s what sid has to say: * Having been away for a long time, being assigned the task of choosing June’s picks of the month was a daunting privilege. On the other hand, there’s no better way to get inspired after a long drought than reading through a month’s worth of fantastic submissions. To single out just two was an agonising...

If you like poetry that delivers strong, sharp images and deeply powerful feeling then you'll love this week's winner. Poem of the week is awarded to Esmerelda for: this is the new life There has been a flurry of selfies across social media recently that show women with only one half of their faces with make-up on. Story of the week is awarded to Vera Clark for: Dear Cosmetics Industry This weeks inspiration point: 'Countdown' Take it where ever...

The story of the week is a tie between new member SilverFish and old-hand Stephen Thom. The two winning stories are very distinct from each other yet share similar themes of painful memories and thwarted relationships. SilverFish's A Basketful of Angels is positioned in the Deep South of America and recounts the awful events of a lynching through a child's eyes. Stephen's story Passing Through is about a relationship gone wrong and the narrative...

Well the the trend that started at the beginning of the year continues apace. Every week without fail new and talented writers turn up, open accounts and start to post. We've already seen some stella performances; here's another... airyfairy signed up and posted a story in response to last week's inspiration point. That story was awarded pick of the day yesterday and today I have great pleasure in announcing that it has now won story of the week...

Long-time, much respected, very valued ABCtales editor and professional writer Mark Say stepped in to scrutinise this months writing and his decision has just come in. Here’s what he has to say: Poem - My Other Life Is – Philip Sidney http://www.abctales.com/story/philip-sidney/my-other-life This impressed me because it is simultaneously simple, clever and perceptive. It uses a few well-chosen words to create a sense of contentment and then...

It has been an exceptional week for poetry! At least four writers could have won this week's poem of the week and several others were in the mix. There were two that I just could not separate. So this week we have joint winners and they are Philip Sidney with My Other Life Is: My Other Life is and span for Moving In: moving in After a brief hiatus it looks like Vera Clark has started to hit the keys in earnest. Her Iron Giant takes this weeks...

I closed the newsletter of earlier this week with the entreaty that you should all get writing and boy-oh-boy did you take me at my word. The number of new submissions has been incredible and the standard is inspiring. The two weekly picks could have gone to a few different writers but in the end these two got the decision. Poem of the week is awarded to Philip Sidney for Wolf Fish : http://www.abctales.com/story/philip-sidney/wolf-fish and...

This month a great writer and very much valued ABCtales editor, Vera Clark, has done the hard yards and provided us with March's winners. Here's her rationale: This month’s picks bring us two different literary genres written with style, authenticity and impact. Not only do they provide excellent writing and content but secondly, they employ experimental form to showcase elegance and intelligence. Both pieces grabbed me by my ears and gave me...

This week's poetry pick is an wonderful example of talent underscored by love, or love underscored by talent. You decide: http://www.abctales.com/story/hudsonmoon/song-sam-video When I first finished reading this from Geraldine the words 'that's absolutly wonderful' slipped out without me even realising. This really is a special story of the week: http://www.abctales.com/story/quigleygeraldine/bias-binding This week's inspiration point came to...

We always support the annual Wasafiri New Writing Prize and the details of how to enter the 2015 event can be found here: http://www.wasafiri.org/wasafiri-new-writing-prize.asp The competition is underpinned by the support of Routledge, The Open University and The Arts Council England. The closing date is not until the 24th July 2015 so plenty of time to prepare and refine. Whilst I'm in competition-adivisory-mode please don't forget ABCtales'...