This is a list of my short stories, poems etc. Some have been published in magazines or anthologies or won prizes\certificates in competitions. - C. A. Broadribb.

Many writers have shared their thoughts with the public:

My Fiction

Most of the stories and poems listed below are included in my ebooks. See the 'My Books' tab.

I write my own material. I don't hire ghostwriters or use AI software.

Note that the 2003 poem 'Singing Midget' was developed with the aid of an online poetry generator by Michael Creaton (less advanced than AI - it randomly selected words and phrases from its own lists). There have also been times where I've run material that I've written myself through an automatic online translator, translating it from English to an obscure language and back again, and used some of the resulting interesting mistranslated words or phrases in my writing. (Not so much Artifical Intelligence as Artificial Stupidity!)

Some publications pay for contributions; most don't. Competitions generally pay for first, second or third place. I've labelled entries with a $ sign below where I was paid. In recent years, I've also received payments from the Copyright Agency Ltd. They have an Annual Writers Distribution scheme.

Date Night (humour\spec-fic, 1325 words, 2025)
Dealing With Change (humour, 426 words, 2025)
Don't Read This Story (spec-fic, 843 words, 2025)
Orange Tic Tacs (humour, 326 words, 2025) - published on Literary Yard website
Unlikely Heroes (humour\fantasy\experimental, 3205 words, 2025)
Ups and Downs of Renting (humour, 2500 words, 2024) - a left-wing short story subversively published in the right-wing Quadrant Sept 2025 $
Encownter With a Cow (humour\spec-fic, 454 words, 2024) - published in NWG Pop-Up Zine and Literary Yard
Where is Carmel? (humour, 619 words, 2024)
Giant Mutant Antagonist (humour\constrained writing, 146 words, 2024) - published in Active Muse - Shishir 2025 Stories
Party Time (humour\spec-fic, 3018 words, started 2022, revised 2024)
People Expo (spec-fic, 792 words, 2024) - published in ZineWest 2025
Land of Lost Time (spec-fic, 602 words, 2024) - published in ZineWest 2024
Shall I Call You Christina? (spec-fic, 859 words, 2024) - published in NWG Pop-Up Zine
Pink Spotted Mushrooms (spec-fic, 211 words, 2024) - published on Witcraft website
Alan's Bill Complaint (constrained writing, 344 words, 2024) - published on Literary Yard website
Lions on Boats (spec-fic, 800 words, 2023) - published in Anti-Sf #306 and narrated on the AntiSF radio show\podcast
What is a Flew-ent Artist (ekphrasis poem, 8 lines, 2023)
Busy Nothings (humour, 1119 words, 2023)
Rodayo Roy (humour\experimental, 1497 words, 2022) - a left-wing short story subversively published in the right-wing Quadrant March 2025 $
Detective Webster (humour, 2855 words, 2022) - published in Ambiguous Loss anthology
Extortion (humour, 1121 words, 2022) - to be published
Reflections at Lake Narracan (misc, 416 words, 2022) - published in Mounted ARI Luft anthology and Dancing Dragons anthology
Thrown for a Loop (spec-fic, 100 words, 2022) - published in Loud Coffee Press, issue 18
Mineral Water with Extra Minerals (humour, 753 words, 2022) - published in ZineWest 2023 anthology
Lovebirds? (humour\experimental, 1000 words, 2022) - published in NWG Pop-Up Zine and Expression 3
Saturday Dreams (misc, 686 words, 2022) - regional winner in WestWords Living Stories Competition 2022 $, published in competition anthology
Trying Times (misc, 751 words, 2022)
Fairies (misc, 619 words, 2022) - published in ZineWest 2022 anthology
Baklava Love (misc, 1680 words, 2022) - to be published
THE problem of god (blackout poem, 14 lines, 2022)
Elsie, Darling (humour, 747 words, 2022) - published in NWG Pop-Up Zine and Expression 3
By the Campfire (historical, 726 words, 2022) - published in Northern Eclecta vol. 19
Three Haiku (misc poems, 35 words, 2021)
Pavilion Pandemonium (spec-fic, 1604 words, 2021)
Common Sense (humour, 402 words, 2020) - published in Stay A While anthology
Three Good Whiffs (sci-fi, 695 words, 2020) - published in ZineWest 2021 anthology and Anti-Sf #318 and narrated on the AntiSF radio show\podcast
Quirky Qwerty (experimental, 229 words, 2020) - published in NWG Pop-Up Zine, Expression 1, NWG anthology 2020 and Witcraft - third place winner in Jan 2025 monthly competition $
COM.E.D.-19 (humour, 346 words, 2020) - published in NWG anthology 2020
Change and Rearrange (sci-fi, 645 words, 2019) - published in 9000 Miles Away anthology
Adventure in Dragonland (children's fantasy novel, 12,032 words, 2019)
Whoever's Counting has to be LOUD (misc, 728 words, 2019) - published in ZineWest 2020 anthology and Street Musicians anthology
Real Romance (humour, 613 words, 2019)
Sorrowful Sorrow (humour, 597 words, 2018)
Couches and Chairs and Couches (humour, 616 words, 2018)
Party Party (humour, 373 words, 2018)
The Secret Beach. (misc, 2708 words, 2018)
Moon. Peace. Between. (sci-fi, 793 words, 2018) - published in ZineWest 2018 anthology
Hackett's Heroic Hacking (humour, 500 words, 2018)
That Play (misc\constrained writing, 285 words, 2018)
Love at the Sewage Treatment Plant (humour, 493 words, 2018) - won second place in NWG Valentines Day mini-competition, published in Expression 2 and Anti-Sf #322
It's Our Policy (humour\constrained writing, 897 words, 2018)
Eating Mango Sandwiches in Nigeria (humour, 500 words, 2018) - longlisted for So Bad It's Good competition, published in NWG anthology 2018
Blood (misc\constrained writing, 473 words, 2018)
Christmas Chaos (humour\constrained writing, 1832 words, 2018)
An English Gentleman (humour, 533 words, 2017)
Meeting Samantha (humour, 646 words, 2017) - published in Folly magazine issue 002
Spatial Irony/Ironic Space (misc, 242 words, 2017) - published in NWG anthology 2018 and 41 Arguments Avant La Lettre anthology
A Matter of Perspective (misc, 179 words, 2017) published in Between Dusk and Dawn anthology
Hope in a Bottle (misc, 330 words, 2017) published in 41 Arguments Avant La Lettre anthology
Floor Zero (sci-fi, 701 words, 2017) - came fourth in 2017 Nov Sydney Freecon competition $ and published in Eve's Gift And Other Stories competition anthology
Danger - Link Box (sci-fi, 754 words, 2017) - published in ZineWest 2017 anthology and received a commendation certificate
Parrot Lady (misc, 2793 words, 2017) - won third place in City of Rockingham Short Story Awards $, published in Westerly $
Police Informant (crime fiction, 635 words, 2017) - published in ZineWest 2019 anthology
Birthday Party (misc\constrained writing, 1547 words, 2017)
The Mobile Avengers 3: Dunedoo Dilemma (humour\crime fiction, 3277 words, 2016)
Pink Socks (misc, 1247 words, 2016) - published in Tamba
A Purpose (crime fiction, 794 words, 2016)
An Angel or Two (humour, 626 words, 2016) - published in NWG Anthology 2017
MORDS (humour, 1239 words, 2016)
The Test (spec-fic, 903 words, 2016)
A Library Yarn (humour\constrained writing, 493 words, 2016) - published in NWG Anthology 2016
The Suppressive Paper (misc poem, 190 words, 2015)
Danger: No Safe Place (misc, 204 words, 2015) - published in ZineWest 2015 anthology
The Shawl Woman (spec-fic, 1769 words, 2015)
Xam (spec-fic, 2130 words, 2015)
Be Careful What You Wish For (humour\spec-fic, 1263 words, 2015)
Strawberries (misc, 1860 words, 2015)
The Dinner Party (spec-fic, 1741 words, 2015) - published in Writing Parramatta and Expression 2
Shoot Max! (spec-fic, 957 words, 2015) - published in Short and Twisted 2016
The Square (misc, 191 words, 2015)
The Castle (misc, 492 words, 2014)
Genes Vs Souls (play script, 2 pages, 2015) - performed (with a few changes) as Philosophy in a Pub at Steven Fernandez's A Variety Show, Sanctuary Hotel, 16/1/2024
Damien's Patient (humour, 99 words, 2014)
Wisdom From the Web (humour, approximately 12,000 words, 2014) - Self-published as an ebook
A Call to Arms (crime fiction\constrained writing, 4310 words, 2014)
Foreign Wisdom (misc, 188 words, 2014)
Rat (crime fiction, 565 words, 2013) - Published in ZineWest 2013 anthology
Snake (misc, 146 words, 2013)
Wise Sayings (humour, 877 words, 2012)
Street Scene (humour, 86 words, 2012) - published in Short and Twisted 2013
Dr Greene's Patient (humour\sci-fi, 97 words, 2012)
The Professional (humour, 1336 words, 2011)
Wewould Swimming Centre (misc, 787 words, 2011) - published in NWG Anthology 2015
The Button (humour, 1000 words, 2011) - published in Short and Twisted 2012
Beach Photo (humour, 90 words, 2011) - published in Short and Twisted 2012
Snowie (humour, 434 words, 2011) - published in Short and Twisted 2012
Sunshine (spec-fic, 1833 words, 2011) - published in 21D magazine, issue 4
The Writers' Festival (spec-fic, 1070 words, 2011) - published in Short & Twisted 2016
The THING (humour, 1440 words, 2011)
The Girl From Davey's Deli (parody poem, 88 lines, 2011)
The Tribunal (sci-fi, 3493 words, 2011) - published in Narrator NSW\ACT summer 2011
The Ghost Bus (horror, 589 words, 2010) - published in NWG Anthology 2016
Email From Azbekhistan (humour, 790 words, 2010) - received a special commendation in Scarlet Stiletto Awards 2010, published in ZineWest 2014 anthology and received a joint Editors' Award
Shopaholics (parody of my own The Nun and the Assassin poem, 48 lines, 2010)
Robbery (crime fiction, 180 words, 2010) - Short-listed for 2017 Words of Wyndham Writing Competition (flash fiction section) and published in the competition anthology
An Exciting Incident (crime fiction, 369 words, 2010)
Activity (misc, 124 words, 2010)
The Search for Barrit (spec-fic, 3389 words, 2009)
The Nun and the Assassin\The Assassin and the Nun (crime fiction poem, 48 lines, 2009) - won the innovation category of the Scarlet Stiletto Awards 2009 $, published in One Surviving Poem anthology 2019
The Centre for Demonic Studies (misc poem, 401 words, 2009)
Mistaken Identity (spec-fic, 500 words, 2009) - published in NWG Anthology 2012 and Anti-Sf #136
A Higher Buzzing (humour, 560 words, 2009)
Too Good to be True (humour, 1351 words, 2008)
Three Heroes (fantasy, 1004 words, 2008) - published in Ripples #21
Aliens (spec-fic, 2001 words, 2008)
White Nonsense (humour, 500 words, 2008) - published in NWG Anthology 2016
The Lazy Writers' Society (humour, 955 words, 2008)
The Tiles and the Mouse (misc, 618 words, 2008) - published in ZineWest 2011 anthology
Census Evasion (spec-fic, 2089 words, 2008)
The Mobile Avengers 2: Melbourne Mayhem (humour\crime fiction, 2191 words, 2008)
Five Views (crime fiction, 697 words, 2007)
The Wardrobe Picklers (misc, 500 words, 2007) - published in Short and Twisted 2011 and Hopscotch and Anti-Sf #121
Pickling in a Wardrobe (misc poem, 15 lines, 2007)
The AppEvalComm (spec-fic, 1460 words, 2007) - published in Short and Twisted 2009
The Whale (spec-fic, 445 words, 2007) - published in Ripples #9 and in Anti-Sf #118
Red (humour, 485 words, 2007) - published in Anti-Sf #125 and NWG Anthology 2013
A Birthday Surprise (children's story, 256 words, 2007)
Gwen's Naughty Magic Wand (children's story, 379 words, 2007)
Where's My Magic Wand? (children's story, 349 words, 2007)
And Granma Said (misc, 152 words, 2007)
Secret Family Business (satire, 900 words, 2006) - published on H2G2 website 2006
The Wildlife Sanctuary (sci-fi, 1624 words, 2006) - published in The Write Angle Nov/Dec 06 $
Aunt Agatha and Uncle Henry (new version, children's adventure story, 4060 words, 2005)
The Mobile Avengers 1: Sydney Sisterhood (humour\crime fiction, 2743 words, 2005)
The Pest Exterminator (humour, 1984 words, 2005)
A Spooky Inheritance (misc, 1024 words, 2005)
Waratah (misc, 671 words, 2005)
My Virtual Secret Admirer (romance, 1169 words, 2005)
Nice Day For A Murder (murder mystery novella, 30,218 words, 2004) - first chapter published on Pixel Papers #30 website, self-published through Seaview Press and self-published as an ebook
No Way Out (crime fiction, 1383 words, 2003)
Singing Midget (humorous poem, 9 lines, 2003) - published in NWG Anthology 2012 and Broadkill Review e-publication 2007
Working for Harry (crime fiction, 6256 words, 2002)
Darkness and Light (crime fiction, 3216 words, 2002) - published on NYWF website, Books Online website, Pixel Papers website and RMSED website
Where Were You? (misc, 648 words, 2002)
Corporate Email Policy (humour, 236 words, 2001)
The Job Interview (humour, 2979 words, 2001) - published on NYWF website
Virtual Reality (sci-fi, 2652 words, 2001) - published in Ripples #8, received a highly commended certificate in Katharine Susannah Prichard Sci-Fi/Fantasy Awards 2004
3:45pm All Stations to Central (misc, 632 words, 2001)
Love Thy Neighbour (humour, 3695 words, 2001)
R0:0 (sci-fi, 3257 words, 2000) - published in Ripples #10
A Beautiful Morning (satire, 629 words, 2000) published in NWG anthology 2019
Dreams in Rented Rooms (misc, 233 words, 2000) - published in Seasons anthology
Marketing Team (misc, 334 words, 2000) - published in Seasons anthology
Memories of Island Life (misc, 2300 words, 2000)
Court (humour, 1470 words, 1996) - Published on Arcadia BBS
A Story from The Post BBS and Wild Thoughts BBS (multiple authors, humour, 24,588 words, 1993-1996) - self-published as an ebook
Are You a Penguin? (quiz, humour, 1995) - Published on Arcadia BBS
Vixen's Guide to Truth and Wisdom (humour, 500 words, 1995) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
How to Waste Time (humour, 161 words, 1994) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
Vixen's Guide to Sysop Grovelling (humour, 297 words, 1993) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
Vixen's Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (humour, 654 words, 1993) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
Vixen's Guide to Greater Godlinesss (humour, 491 words, 1993) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
Vixen's Guide to Godliness (humour, 406 words, 1993) - Published on The Post BBS and/or Wild Thoughts BBS
How to Become a Black Belt in Karate (humour, 469 words, 1992)
The Charity Collector (humour, 337 words, 1989) - published in NWG Anthology 2014
The Big Bad Wolf (humour, 74 words, 1989)
Gudrun and Dierbran (fantasy, 2129 words, 1987)
John Cindarella (fantasy, 1987) - I no longer have it
Story about an office worker foiling a criminal's attempt to bomb a building (inspired by a Vic-20 computer game!) (misc, 1987) - I no longer have it
Skit about an interesting sociological experiment (humour, 1987) - I no longer have it
Battle of the Deities (children's story, spec-fic, 4554 words, started 1986, finished 1994) - included with the self-published Sarah's Adventure
Sarah's Adventure (children's adventure novel, 11,692 words, started 1986, finished 2002) - self-published through Seaview Press
Explorer (sci-fi, 2475 words, not completed, 1986)
Struggle Against the Environment (humour, 1985) - I no longer have it
St George the Dragon Fighter (fantasy, 1982) - I no longer have it
The Fake Fish Factory (misc, 1981) - unfinished - I no longer have it
Aunt Agatha and Uncle Henry (original version, misc, 1980 or 1981) - unfinished - I no longer have it
The Missing Link of the Seven Seas (misc, 1980) - unfinished - I no longer have it
The Water Monster (fantasy, 266 words, 1979)
Nip (misc, 35 words, 1976)
The Search For the Circus Things (fantasy, 212 words, 1974) - published in NWG Anthology 2014
Ship Song (misc, 186 words, 1972)

Here is a list of publications that accept short story contributions.