Short Reads

The Hazards of Online Dating

The world of online dating provides a potential minefield for women looking for more than desperate narcissists.

The Wedding

A funny recollection of a wedding that wasn’t to be from a young girl growing up in 90s Britain.

The Business End of the Music Business

A larger-than-life character provides a constant source of frustration for our music industry insider.

The Last of the Porn Peddlers

In a time before wi-fi, Laurence Rivers looks back to his childhood and a particularly didactic incident of buying porn.

So You’re Socially Awkward Too?

My daughter is a socially awkward child in a world of tests and labels. At 18, she will be tested for asperger’s syndrome.

Fear and Loathing in Indonesian Toilets

Any expat eventually has to assimilate into the local culture, regardless of how low you feel you must stoop.

Millennial Writing Life

I’m a millennial, a writer and I have dyspraxia. My history of being socially isolated by my peers has made me stronger and wiser.

I Survived 27 Surgeries

I may not have a stomach but I sure am hungry for life. 10 years and 27 surgeries later, this is my story.

Desmond

Laurence’s fragile relationship with Desmond, a drunk kitchen porter.

Exterminating Angel

Bedbugs, the blood-sucking perverts of the pest world and one man’s journey to rid America of them.

Not In The Pink

When visual artist Tina Martel was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer she decided to document everything. ‘Not in the Pink’ details her experiences.

The Night Before the Morning After

Temptation and I have never been easy bedfellows.

Favourite Day

A man tries to flirt with an unsuspecting woman only to discover something he was not expecting.

Too High Too Far Too Soon

An excerpt from Simon Mason’s “Too High Too Far Too Soon”, a revelatory rock ‘n’ roll memoir of a life of drugs, Britpop and spiralling drug addiction.

A Fire for Help

It had been years since our father left. Our mother held a secretary job during the day and was no match for Dominic and I working to extend our freedoms.

Bees to Honey

Life and tribulations of a gay millennial living in Minnesota.

An Interview with Scottish Cult Hero Jesse Rae

Talking Soup caught up with the ‘godfather of Scots-Funk’ turned politician, Jesse Rae after the 2015 UK general election.

The Plumber

A struggling writer works in a cafe and discovers a secret business operating in his workplace.

Why I Kill the People I Love…Inside my head

I murder the people I love inside my head. I fantasize about where I’ll go, what I’ll do and how their funerals will be.

The Best Easter of My Life

Found on the shores of The West Midlands, Holly Watson tells the tale of a young girl’s experience growing in 90s Britain. This was an Easter to remember.

Don’t Ever Become a Nurse

I can honestly say that my decision to become the Florence Nightingale of the 21st Century was probably one of the dumbest decisions I made.

My Tattoo Dilemma

I want a tattoo, but I don’t want my tattoo to be from Topman, because I’ll see someone with that same tattoo on a Friday night in New Cross.

Reporting from the Freddie Gray Protest in Oakland

Writer and activist, Joseph Meehan, reports from the front line of the Freddie Gray Jr. protests in Oakland, CA.

The Rise of Health Food Porn

Are you #cleanliving or are you a twat? Clean living and liking salad is totally fine, you just don’t have to tell everyone about it.