Today's Pick is the start of a delightful tale for children and any adult who loves the fantastic. Say hello to Amanderella Gottsnobbler! www.abctales.com/story/eric-m...

A new start up for the enterprising Bron is Pick of the Day! Please do share if you can
www.abctales.com/story/ivan-o...

Today's #POD is Marandina's 'The Expanse'. A fine poem, living up to the title. One might even call it numinous, perhaps. Poetry is the best way to address the ineffable, so that's why this is our pick of the day today. Please share if you like it too.
www.abctales.com/story/marand...

#BooksFromTheBottomOfThePile As some may not be aware. Amazon/KDP pay royalties 6 weeks in arrears. Some might say they mean in "ourarse". I'm planning on a Lamborghini on April 30th!
Feel free to order one of my excellent books so I can afford two Lamborghinis ...
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/autho...

On putting together a short story collection. After posting my Hotdog Short Story Manifesto last week on here I was contacted by a publisher within 30 minutes to say that they would read it when I’m done.

In this week’s writing diary

On Putting Together a Short Story Collection

Some short story news, an interview, a trip to the pub, with a dog, and some influences.

open.substack.com/pub/drewgumm...

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Very happy to have my work picked by the wonderful
@abctales.bsky.social last night 💙

Thank you! 🙏

ARC Sign-Up Sign up to join my beta reader pool. I'll reach out when I have a new project looking for early readers. You can opt in for each one.

I'm looking for advanced readers for my short story collection, The Dark Humor Will Continue Until Morale Improves: 10 Short Stories About Fascism and Corporate F**kery (out June 2)

Sign up for an early copy:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#Satire #BookBluesky

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Today's #POD is Marandina's 'The Expanse'. A fine poem, living up to the title. One might even call it numinous, perhaps. Poetry is the best way to address the ineffable, so that's why this is our pick of the day. Please share if you like it too.
www.abctales.com/story/marand...

Calling all poets! We have a shiny new writing challenge on ABCTales.com!

www.abctales.com/blog/insertp...

Photo of a supermarket aisle.

celticman's writing is always gripping, uncompromising, and darkly funny, and his new series is no exception. This is our Sunday pick. Enjoy!

www.abctales.com/story/celtic...

Pick of the Day - the 7th of 9 episodes in this quite unusual series of short pieces. I haven't figured out what's going on but am very much in for the ride. www.abctales.com/story/lille-...

In case you were wondering!

www.abctales.com/blog/philwhi...

@abctales.bsky.social

The Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid) The Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid) [Whiteland, Philip] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Chronicles of a Young Lady (and her Maid)

For those suffering from Aefelthrith and Gwladys withdrawal symptoms)which, I'm told, can be most unpleasant) you can alleviate the worst of these by diving into their origin, here:

getbook.at/ChroniclesPr...

@abctales.bsky.social

#poetryalert
Never thought I'd be thanking a Pope for anything, but he did give me the title. A Handful of Tyrants
www.abctales.com/story/ewan/h...

My latest story:

Prophesy: The Immortal Witch Part 18

The Book of Revelations

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

Paul Burston (@paulburston) Thanks to @Drew Gummerson!

New interview with me over on the Substack. Thank you @paulburston.bsky.social for the questions.

substack.com/@paulburston...

Photo of full moon in dusk sky with clouds with telegraph pole and electricity wires in foreground.

Here’s an evocative chapter from a hugely promising work-in-progress.

‘Chapter 21 - Paul Oakenfold at The Escape - Part 3’ by Vincent Burgess is today’s Pick of the Day.

www.abctales.com/story/vincen...

Please share if you can.

On a hotdog short story manifesto A very nice rejection for my hotdog story Arthur said this:

It’s time to come out swinging.

You care about short stories?

Please read The Hotdog Short Story Manifesto.

substack.com/@drewgummers...

The Dark Humor Will Continue Until Morale Improves: 10 Stories About Fascism and Corporate F**kery The Dark Humor Will Continue Until Morale Improves: 10 Stories About Fascism and Corporate F**kery

What's it like to drive trucks for an elder god? Can you be a good coworker when the corporate AI has it out for you? Who gets to decide if the big red button gets pushed? My new short fiction collection is up for preorder!

Bookshop: bookshop.org/a/12985/9798...
#Books #Booksky #Ebooks #Kindle

Photo of woodland path, leaf littered, mist, barriers in distance blocking way ahead.

Incredible writing. SoulFire77’s Ridgeline is our Pick of the Day. Do read and share.

www.abctales.com/story/soulfi...

Image of brain made up of a word map.

Every wondered what your brain is really doing when you’re out on a date. This funny piece from Paul Dunn is Making Sense of it All.

www.abctales.com/story/paul-d...

From a collection called "A Story a Week": because that's how I wrote it. In the end it took 53 weeks to write (+ the word-wrestling to make each one make sense + arranging them).
Controversial? Not everything is black-and-white - and I hope that comes across.
www.abctales.com/story/ewan/j...

If you’re in America and want some bonkers British seaside stories featuring mermaids, killer seals, nuclear power station meltdowns it seems you can order my latest, Saltburn, from Barnes and Noble.

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saltburn-d...

Too many amazing pull quotes to fit in one image. Thanks for the kind words WC Book Club, so glad you enjoyed your adventure to Kedasi. If you like defunct theme park asteroids, giant talking shrimp and snarky ship captains, get a copy here: linktr.ee/MacAshton

#Books #BookReview #Books #Writer

Today's Pick of the Day is Lille Dante's pared-down and dense with meaning piece , "End of Beginning". Part of a larger work, it shows real skill. Do please share if you like it too.
www.abctales.com/story/lille-...

Our Pick for Sunday is a beautiful poem from Angusfolklore about a quiet absence that is a presence in itself: www.abctales.com/story/angusf...

April 11, 2026 This book is a case of mistaken identity. I don't remember doing any of the things described in this book, but the author is adamant that 'you/l' am a bum-fixated dishwashing dreamer with IQ of a cornflake. Surprisingly erudite, we glean what 'you/l' have been up to and it is a bumper-issue of mayhem, humiliation, defilement and hilarity. There is a pathos and sadness but these emotions are fleeting - I love the sound of laughter but I am unaccustomed to hearing my own when reading books. I heard it all the time reading this extremely potty, gross, well-written paeon to one of God's Own Fools. Oedipus Rex - a Jurassic Park sequel? Monster Munch Mary? Gay Cannibals? Bum Morse Code? This book's got everything you never knew you needed. Cheeky as **** , this is Viz meets Citizen Kane. Recommended.

Thanks to Alan Roberts @roadsongbooks.bsky.social for this brilliant review of Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel.

“Cheeky as ****
, this is Viz meets Citizen Kane”

A shiny new edition is available from @beardedbadgerbooks.bsky.social

www.beardedbadgerpublishing.com/online-store...

'Penny's Pass the Story - Part 10'

A writing challenge at @ABC_Tales

The end and the beginning 3/3

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

'Penny's Pass the Story - Part 6'

A writing challenge at @abctales.bsky.social

Cops and robbers, donuts and desperados 2/3

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

Photos of Spring Welsh landscapes and flowers.

Pick of the Day from RhiannonW - just a happy memory, now that it's turned cold and unsettled again, but looking forward to more days like these along the way. www.abctales.com/story/rhiann...