Short Stories
What Could Have Been
An anomaly appears in Edinburgh and people start to wonder if it has something to do with Arthur O’Neil, the man who appeared decades ago with knowledge of the future. Joe McMillan just wants to continue his life with his girlfriend, but she increasingly struggles to live in the society that O’Neil has created.
First published in September 2024 by Three Cousins Publishing, an imprint of West Mesa Press, in their anthology ‘The Trouble with Time’.
The Kelpie
In the time of the Highland Clearances, a young girl feels rejected by both her people and her home land. When she befriends a kelpie on the moors, he becomes the last constant she can hold on to.
First published in Elixir Verse Equinox: Terra Verses in March 2024. This story was also a finalist in Globe Soup’s 7 Day Story Writing Challenge #10.
The Rise of Nilcaro Syndrome: A British Perspective
People across the world began to develop a taste for living flesh – first, they ate animals, then they turned to their fellow humans. Johnny remembers those days, when the world changed forever.
First published in issue 94 of Blood Moon Rising Magazine in January 2024.
Fireside Memories
When the snow starts to fall, an injured man takes shelter with a wild dog. He remembers a time when dogs were friends to humankind but those days were long before this animal’s time.
First published on Spillwords.com on December 2023.
Granny Beatson
Sarah loves visiting her Granny in the Highlands when she’s a child and Granny loves to remind her of the magic in the world. But they grow apart as Sarah grows older and Sarah loses touch with that magic.
First published on Spillwords.com on September 2023. This story also received an honourable mention in the Globe Soup Open Story Competition 2022.
Catriona Banks
Catriona Banks is a thief. She has stolen the greatest treasure of the fae courts and they want it back.
First published on Spillwords.com on September 2022.
Flash Fiction
The Sea Bream
A young girl goes fishing with her father and dreams of life beneath the waves.
First published in Minimag issue 142 in March 2025.
They Do Not Know The Earth
A witch grieves for her lost family and tries to use magic to fill the hole they left behind
First published in April 2024 in Issue 3 of the Hooghly Review.
Take Me Home
As times passes by, all those places that feel like home start to feel further out of reach.
First published in Issue 4 of Raw Lit in February 2024.
Under The Skin
Adam has lived with abuse for so long that he starts to wonder if his repressed anger is turning him into a monster.
First published in the Flash of the Dead: Requiem anthology by Wicked Shadow Press in January 2024.
Defender of the Forest
A story about Alexandra, who goes on a quest to find out how to save her cousin from growing up and leaving their childhood stories behind.
First published by Roi Fainéant Press in October 2023.
Caroline Ashley 