In this, his debut story–our hero Hank Cotton, is tasked with getting not only a travel trailer from Indiana to Florida; but also Jenny Deal, a thirteen year old runaway, who’s been kidnapped and the crooked cops are looking for her. Hank finds her hiding out in the back of his camper and he knows he has to save her. Will Hank be able to outrun her pimp, and outsmart the crooked Alabama lawmen looking to stop him?Find out how Jenny got in this mess – whether Brooke, Hank’s wife will understand why he’s got an underage sex worker with him, and whether Hank is able to get his cargo delivered safely in this novelette-length story titled, The Ugly Duckling.

The Ugly Duckling is available on the https://www.thesoutherncopywriter.com website: thesoutherncopywriter.com/booksas well as on Amazon worldwide - Amazon eBook link: a.co/d/8NbO0Ba ,and for a limited time subscribers of the Southern Writers Guild can read it for free!

Closing:As I said it in the introduction during the first episode of Lunchtime readings with Harriet:

Every day this week I came Live and read you a piece written by someone who is on Substack. Each piece is different and I like each for different reasons. I guess, to an extent I did discuss why I like each of these pieces.. and it’s alright. What we like is always subjective.

* on Day 1 I read from primalbeet/ Rick West’s Antique B******s series

* on Day 2 I read Joe Nichols’s Two Dawns

* on Day 3 I read Emma Steel’s How Should I Feel?

* on Day 4 I read A Cold Wind Blowing by Marty D. Snow

* and today, on Day 5, as a closing piece of this series, I read from Hank Cotton’s novelette, The Ugly Duckling.

The purpose of writing can be many things. It can be letting off the load, spilling the excess, making us think, clear our minds, come to a conclusion, entertain us or other things.

For me, as a reader, a good piece of writing is good because it moves something in me. Because it speaks to me somehow. And that’s what I am after. Something that I can resonate with or something that can make me feel in awe. Be it the choice of words or the descriptions or the conversation or what is unsaid but implied. You understand what you are reading. Not only with your brain, but with your heart.

I hope that these readings made you think or made you just sit in awe, in wonderment and when you woke from it, you decided that you wanted more. Not of my reading. But that writing or what that writing has awakened in you: Curiosity, hunger!

Thank you for your attention all week.Subscribe to Short Stories and Tales and be part of the adventure!Please click on the links of Introduction & The Field of Wildflowers to learn more.And now: Have a good day!Thank you and See you soon,Harriet

Thanks for reading Short Stories and Tales! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Today was the 4th of the 5 short story readings I decided to do to highlight writers’ voices here a little. Please see the Introduction piece for this publication.

Today I read a beautiful story from Marty D. Snow.

About Marty:He says, he is just a guy trying to make people feel ‘something’ thru stories and real lived experiences. He loves reading, writing, stories, books, music, nature, experiencing life.

He is a fellow Substacker, you can find his work at Marty D. Snow (@snotime) and his publication here: md840.substack.com

Today I read A Cold Wind Blowing, written for MJ’s Jukebox prompt in December.Enjoy this beautiful peace! Link is below.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video tomorrow!

Harriet

She writes poetry and short stories in the genres of both gothic and fantasy, weaving in aspects of her native British mythology. Her writing is often gritty, exploring the underbelly of life, especially her poetry.

Her short stories typically stick to gothic and horror, where she takes delight in adding humor and a twist, often involving some kind of cosmic or karmic justice.

With a series of books published in 2025, she has established herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Her name is Emma Steel and much of her work can be found here on Substack at emmawrotewhat.substack.com

How should I feel?

Hi all,It seems I need to stick to the computer when it comes to doing lives today. The app on the phones (in plural) don’t seem to work. So in fact I don’t think the reason is my phone, but maybe the app…Luckily though, I managed to have a live the second time to do the Lunchtime readings with Harriet (3 of 5).Today I read Emma Steel piece, titled: How Should I feel?Listen to it and enjoy!

See you tomorrow at 8:30am ET for the next poem reading in the morning and at 12:30pm ET for the next story!

Thanks for your patience!H.

Thanks for reading Short Stories and Tales! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is the second live, dedicated to bringing Substack writers’ voices to the forefront, ahead of this weekend’s post, when I’ll ask you to play along and tell me which is your current or all time favorite story on this platform and bring it up for all of us to see and read.

Today I am going to read a beautiful lyrical piece from a well-known writer here on Substack. He is a published author of 9 books. He has written a wide variety of pieces here as well, including heartwarming children’s stories, political pieces, incredible poetry, humorous, and some downright scary pieces, too. And while they are widely different in style, each is very down to earth, very human and relatable. He’s had a number of publications but his main domain here is Beautiful Heresy. His name is Joe Nichols.Today I’ll read Two Dawns

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Every day this week I come live and will read you a piece written by someone who is on Substack. Each piece is different and I like each for different reasons. I won’t discuss why.

The purpose of writing can be many things. It can be letting off the load, spilling the excess. And that can feel good and result in something great.

What is good from the reader’s point of view is always subjective. So what I might like, you might not and vice-versa.

For me, as a reader, a good piece of writing is good because it moves something in the reader. Because it speaks to the reader somehow. And that’s what I am after as a reader. Something that I can resonate with or make me feel in awe. Be it the choice of words or the descriptions or the conversation or what is unsaid but implied. You understand what you are reading. Not only with your brain, but with your heart.

So I am going to read you now and hope that what I read will make you think or just sit in awe, in wonderment and when you wake from it, you decide that you want more. Not of my reading. But that writing or what that writing is awakening in you. Curiosity, hunger.

The first piece I am going to read is from primalbeet aka Rick West.

Primalbeet aka Rick West is a lifelong musician, songwriter, poet, novelist and mixed media artist. He has one non-fiction book published on Amazon - “When the Boogeyman Comes Calling”, about recovering from broken relationships. He is in the process of publishing three fiction pieces, including Antique B******s.He will be the featured writer over at Southern Writers Guild beginning late in March, introducing his soon-to-be published novel “First Light”, a love story of sorts, set in Pensacola Beach, Florida.You can find his music at primalbeet -YouTube and most of his writing at https://primalbeet.substack.com

The piece read during this live is from Antique B******s: 6. Hannahhttps://substack.com/@primalbeet/p-182702163

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.