topic: 9/11 medium: TEXT as submitted for the “9/11” Open Call Charred flesh hung heavy in the air all year. The corpses rolled and fell into the pit. Were there living things underneath the dead – sinking, stinking in mass graves? On hot pyres? Despite the carnage, the disease was […]

topic: 9/11 medium: TEXT   as submitted for the “9/11” Open Call For mere living mortals time passes by so quickly; ten years have gone like there was no yesterday, but remains as today, as if the events of 9/11 have only just happened. For those involved in that terrible […]

topic: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT medium: TEXT as submitted for the “Connected” Contest Apparently there’s quite a media storm. That’s how my lawyer puts it. She says I’ve divided the nation. I’ve asked my neighbour to keep all the press clippings. I’ll have to start a scrapbook when I get home. […]

topic: BORDERS medium: TEXT as submitted for the “Connected” Contest only connect you say i donʼt know what you mean i do know what you mean i mean i know what youʼre saying i donʼt know what youʼre saying are you saying it to me or are you saying it […]

The most amazing thing about PenTales stories is the people who share them. With “Behind the Story”, we introduce you to some of the personalities, voices, and stories behind the stories. 1 .What’s your name? My name is Janet Scrivens 2. Where are you from? I live right in the centre of […]

topic: TRAVEL medium: TEXT “A Taste of Heaven” won the ITACA contest in May 2011 Get to know Janet better by going Behind the Story I booked a holiday in early May, on the Greek island of Crete, inadvertently finding myself in the midst of Easter celebrations.\ Three English couples, […]