short stories online
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‘Embracing Tradition’ Flash Fiction by Francesca Astraea

I wrote this for Halloween but I think Valentine’s season is actually better for it… When Jade, Rita and May refused to go to their company’s Halloween party, they used the excuse that they had plans. Then they had to make plans, in case anyone asked for details. May’s flat was the smallest but… Continue reading
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Spooky Season Shenanigans (Ines’ Adventures in Paganism #2) by Francesca Astraea

You can find previous Ines’ Adventures instalments here. They can be read in any order, although might be most fun to read chronologically as I build the world. As autumn fell over the Ines’ town, so did an enchantment. Ines didn’t notice at first, because she was rather busy with magic of her own.… Continue reading
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A Measure of Time | A Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities Short Story by Francesca Astraea

You absolutely do not need to have started reading or have read Rotting Trees to enjoy this. You don’t have to have read any Bezzina’s stories at all. It is quite short, because I wrote it for a zine submission but decided not to edit it after the zine said no. Enjoy! You can find… Continue reading
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‘Growing Pains,’ a Bezzina’s Emporium Short Story by Francesca Astraea

Ernest Bezzina really just wants a cup of tea. Other Bezzina’s Emporium stories can be found here. Two short stories in one quarter? It is indeed. There’s invented Latin. Well, the Latin is real, I just smushed two words together. That’s how language works, right. I’m not saying that if you enjoy this, you should… Continue reading
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‘A Devil of a Time’ by Francesca Astraea, Illustrated by Tatchiana Michaela

A new story? In this year of our lord 2023? Well, I actually wrote this last summer to pitch to magazines. BUT STILL. Here you go. No blurb because you have this wonderful illustration by my friend Tatchiana Michaela, a Bristol-based illustrator (who is open for commissions if you’re interested!). As per, it was available… Continue reading
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Quiet Night Out, a Bezzina’s Story by Francesca Astraea

Welcome to the latest Bezzina’s story! It is a standalone; you don’t have to read them in order of publication, but you can find them all here. Sophey and Ariel have an idea to boost the fortunes of Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities, but they’re going to have their work cut out… Ernest… Continue reading
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It’s Always the Apocalypse Somewhere (The Sun, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
It’s always the apocalypse somewhere. Today, it was at fifty-three Milton Place. Catalyst? An unanswered text. No, not an unanswered text. The jolt of realisation, upon looking for an answer, that most likely none would come. If one did, the realisation continued reasonably, could it possibly improve the situation that culminated in the… Continue reading
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Untitled Part Two (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Winter ‘Luke! We need you out here. There’s a riot.’ Olwyn was prone to exaggeration when stressed, but Lucas put down his receipts nonetheless. ‘Is it because of the roadworks?’ A phone pressed to her ear, Olwyn rolled her eyes. ‘You could say that. Ah—yes, I’ll hold—we’re at Brompton Road—get out there,… Continue reading
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Untitled Part One (The World, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea
Spring When Lucas sought out a fairy godmother, he hadn’t expected to meet a woman wearing jeans, a sharp leather jacket and a silver tiara. He hadn’t expected to meet her in a side street next to some roadworks either. ‘Oh, this?’ she said when she caught him staring at her outfit. ‘None… Continue reading
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Sunflowers (The Empress, Major Arcana series) by Francesca Astraea
Little Barking wasn’t known for its stunning natural beauty, nor its architectural significance. It was usually described as ‘nice but nondescript’ by people who passed through it on the way to somewhere else. Except for the sunflowers. According to legend and the local newspaper (which was surprisingly accurate), Little Barking was the place to… Continue reading
