It was full steam ahead on the McSerial front. During Fair Trade Fortnight, we were treated to young Jack MacRoary’s Fairtrade Adventure. Another treat came in the form of S. R. Crockett’s last published work, the exciting Peninsular War adventure, Peter the Renegade. And throughout May we were privileged to showcase Rosalie Warren’s sharp and witty Lost Apostrophe.
Beyond the McSerials, we received contributions from many regular McStorytellers. Brian Morrison, Angus Shoor Caan, Glenn Muir, Michael C. Keith, Sara Clark, Cally Phillips, Roger McKillop, Alasdair McPherson and Keith Coleman all submitted at least one story. Karen Jones also made a very welcome return to the site, while Mister McStoryteller, Brendan Gisby, completed his trinity of tales commemorating Ireland’s Easter Rising and added his tuppence worth to the grubby phenomenon that is Donald Trump.
The full line-up for the three months is listed below. Just click on the titles to read the stories. And remember, McStorytellers is the short story website for Scotland.
Pensées Dix by Michael C. Keith
Genre: Humour
Word count: 491
Swearwords: A couple of mild ones.
Description: Ten metaphorical thoughts.
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Dreel by Keith Coleman
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Word count: 3,387
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: Berry-picking in the raspberry fields of Strathmore, where sometimes you picked up more than just a fair day's pay.
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The Oxter Bar by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Drama
Word count: 3,492
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: Revenge is the sweetest drug.
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Jobby Done! by Alasdair McPherson
Genre: Memoir
Word count: 2,419
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: School pals – there’s nothing like them!
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Saints With Dirty Feet by Michael C. Keith
Genre: Drama
Word count: 889
Swearwords: None.
Description: Bitter wine from the altar.
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
Genre: Drama
Word count: 4,787
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE SIX – The Crowning Mercy.
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
Genre: Drama
Word count: 6,548
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE FIVE – Capturing a King.
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Body Language by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Drama
Word count: 1,420
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: Breaking up is very hard to do.
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Wean by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Humour
Word count: 114
Swearwords: None.
Description: Whit's in a name?
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
Genre: Drama
Word count: 5,167
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE FOUR – The Treasure of Ten Thousand.
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The Flemings o' Dalnoid by Roger McKillop
Genre: Memoir
Word count: 729
Swearwords: None.
Description: Remembering a wonderful Highland couple.
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Get Lost by Alasdair McPherson
Genre: Memoir
Word count: 3,488
Swearwords: None.
Description: A well-remembered fleeting instant.
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A Dining Experience by Michael C. Keith
Genre: Memoir
Word count: 523
Swearwords: None.
Description: Something to chew on...
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
Genre: Drama
Word count: 5,393
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE THREE – The Treasure Seeking.
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Trumped by Brendan Gisby
Genre: Drama
Word count: 2,016
Swearwords: Some strong ones.
Description: A grubby little scam is exposed at New York’s Trump Tower.
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
Genre: Drama
Word count: 5,125
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE TWO – Peter Cleans the Slate.
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The Magical Chalks by Glenn Muir
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Word count: 1,145
Swearwords: None
Description: Street art linked to a missing child as summer daydreams turn into nightmares.
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The Parrotts of Penzance by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Drama
Word count: 1,388
Swearwords: None.
Description: Always read the small print on that retirement plan.
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Peter the Renegade by S. R. Crockett
#Genre: Drama
Word count: 5,628
Swearwords: None.
Description: EPISODE ONE – The Scout-Master of the Fourth
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Uprisin' an' Doonfa' by Roger McKillop
Genre: Historical
Word count: 1,437
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: Bliadhn 'a Phrionnsa? Mo thoin! – The year of the Prince? My Arse! Remembering the butchery of Culloden in prose and verse.
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Cottoning on to Fashion by Cally Phillips
Genre: Drama
Word count: 5,005
Swearwords: None.
Description: Going beyond the labels to make a real fashion statement.
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Table Four by Sara Clark
Genre: Romance
Word count: 574
Swearwords: None.
Description: A man arranges to meet a blind date at a local café.
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The Patriot Game - Part Three by Brendan Gisby
Genre: Drama
Word count: 2,056
Swearwords: Some strong ones.
Description: It is 1961, forty years after the end of Ireland’s War of Independence. In a village in the north of County Longford, Eire, an elderly man recalls the part he played in that War.
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Friends In Crime by Michael C. Keith
Genre: Drama
Word count: 1,286
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: It's a crime the way friends treat you at times.
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The Last Word by Karen Jones
Genre: Drama
Word count: 246
Swearwords: None
Description: Imagining a world without creative writing.
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Al Fresco by Glenn Muir
Genre: Memoir
Word count: 1,094
Swearwords: None
Description: A hot Sixties summer day. Time for a picnic and a spot of fishing.
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A room with a phew by Angus Shoor Caan
Genre: Drama
Word count: 1,546
Swearwords: None.
Description: All thoughts of escape are futile. But feel free to dream.
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The Patriot Game - Part Two by Brendan Gisby
Genre: Drama
Word count: 1,254
Swearwords: Some strong ones.
Description: It is 1961, forty years after the end of Ireland’s War of Independence. In a village in the north of County Longford, Eire, an elderly man recalls the part he played in that War.
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Play Bingo Like an Egyptian by Brian Morrison
Genre: Humour
Word count: 1,739
Swearwords: Some mild ones.
Description: Is it wise to take your mummy along to a game of Bingo at the Luxor Palace Bingo Hall? Especially when she has been dead for ten years.
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