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Jan Hurst-Nicholson
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I Made These Up (short stories for the fireside) Kindle Edition

by Jan Hurst-Nicholson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

Short stories for the fireside (or wherever you have your e-reader).


A diverse variety of humour, historical, murder, ghost, sentimental, adventure, and even a bit naughty - there is sure to be something to entertain you. There are even two BONUS read-aloud stories for children.


These stories have been published previously in magazines or newspapers. Some are adapted from chapters in But Can You Drink The Water? and some also appear in Something to Read on the Plane.

1. A ‘Tail’ of Woe. Frank planned a quiet afternoon of model aeroplane building. But unfortunately he failed to take his father-in-law into account.
2. Proof of the Pudding. The residents of Ladysmith were eager to escape before the town was besieged. Albert Swinbourne, however, had other plans.
3. The Tryst. He tried nibbling her ear. He wasn’t sure whether he should be licking, nibbling, or kissing it. Even after re-watching a movie he still hadn’t been able to make out the exact technique.
4. One Little Pig Stayed at Home. When the young troopie was offered room and board in exchange for some light work, he thought his luck had changed.
5. The Secret. Jenny wasn’t expecting to meet an old school friend, especially one who would revive memories best forgotten.
6. Flypast. As the Spitfire soared into the air Bill wanted to impress his grandson, but would the old man’s nerves hold out?
7. A Matter of Convenience. Family holidays were not the happy events they had once been, especially now that Walter’s bladder had become a liability.
8. The Letter. The two buddies were living and working together out in the sticks, and they were beginning to set each other’s teeth on edge. Then one of them made a very weird suggestion…
9. Night Noises. Strange, the fascination and peculiar power of a man’s imagination; the terrors the silent darkness can hold. And who knows the tormented imaginings of those who have been led down the deep dark path of insanity...?
10. Reluctant Reunion. Pauline’s old school-friend, a slim, glamorous divorcee - who just happened to be an old flame of Pauline’s husband – was coming home to Liverpool to visit. Pauline wasn’t looking forward to it one bit.
11. Poste Haste. Frank heaved a sigh of relief when his wife’s relatives went home. Little did he know his troubles were just beginning.
12. The Waiting Chalice. The she-fox had been biding her time. Finally the wait was over.
13. Grandfather’s Dream. Sipho set out to fulfil his Grandfather’s dream, and in doing so learnt the power of imagination. 14. Light’s Out. Tom enjoyed his job, even if it was a bit boring and predictable. He liked the routine, and today was going to be just another ordinary day...
15. Family Ties. Mavis had been so sure of where her heart lay, but now ‘home’ had a new definition.
TWO BONUS READ-ALOUD STORIES FOR CHILDREN
16. The Worried Little Christmas Tree. The little plastic Christmas tree thought no one wanted him, until he found an unexpected home.
17. Waldo and the Leather Thing. Waldo didn’t want to wear anything round his neck, but he soon found the importance of wearing a collar.
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  1. Print length
    111 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 10, 2013
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. File size
    386 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B009ZZA
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 10, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 386 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 111 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

About the author

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Jan Hurst-Nicholson

Jan Hurst-Nicholson

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Jan Hurst-Nicholson has been reliably informed that website biographies are usually written in the third person, giving them the air of being penned by an authoritative third party (allowing the author carte-blanche to embellish without the restraints of false modesty)

Jan’s published articles, humorous articles and short stories have been compiled into a book: "Something to Read on the Plane - a bit of light literature, short stories & other fun stuff," and "I Made These Up (short stories for the fireside)"

Her experiences moving from Liverpool to South Africa in the 1970s were the inspiration for her humorous novel, "But Can You Drink The Water?” a semi-finalist (top 50 out of 5000) in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and a runner-up in the Peter Pook humorous novel competition.

Jan worked in the R&D department of a large bakery for several years, and this gave her the idea for "The Breadwinners" a family saga spanning 60 years and set in Durban.

Her teen/YA novel, “Mystery at Ocean Drive”, which was a runner-up in the 2010 Citizen/Pan MacMillan YA novel award.

"With the Headmaster's Approval" won the best Chick Lit/Women’s Lit category in the 2015 eFestival of Words

Her first children's book was "Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs" published by Gecko Books, and was one of Bookchat's 1993 South African Books of the Year. This was followed by "Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse" which was selected as one of the 2013 Kart Kids Book Award winners in the US. “Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the bottled bat” is awaiting publication. These are humorous, animal, detective stories set in a nature reserve.

"Bheki and the Magic Light", which tells of a bullied herd boy who becomes a hero, was published by Penguin SA and is now also available as an e-book.

'Jake,' was published by Cambridge University Press.

“The Race (an inspiring story for left-handers)” is her latest children's book and also has advice for parents and teachers.

Jan’s non-fiction book. "PUBLIC SPEAKING - BANISH THE BUTTERFLIES: Practical bite-sized tips, techniques and fun anecdotes from seasoned speakers to put you at ease in any public speaking situation" is based on her 35-year involvement in public speaking training.

Jan's writing also appears in Edge Words (20 stories from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2006 and 2023) published by University of Chester, Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul 101 best stories On Being a Parent; Summer Shorts, My Funny Major Medical, and Tales2Inspire, The Crystal Collection.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
9 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Philip Whiteland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great tales from an assured storyteller
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2013
    This is a really good collection of short stories that are amusing, sometimes surprising and often quirky. Jan is an experienced and assured story-teller and that comes across clearly in this collection. The reader always feels confident that the story will be resolved in a neat and well thought out way. Many of the stories have appeared in Jan's other collections but this is a super introduction for those who are new to Jan's work. Dip in, you won't regret it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • james clarke
    4.0 out of 5 stars The art of story telling
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Jan Hurst-Nicolson is one of the latter day short story writers that the advent of the Kindle has revealed after a century of near nelgect. She is an amusing story telletoo. Her last two stories - a little incongruous I thought, reveal a good childen's writer too.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J. Miller
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great way to spend and evening
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015
    Really enjoyed these stories. I've read her work before and think she is a wonderful writer. I prefer short formats as I'm usually pressed for time so this was ideal.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Chris Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great little bite-sized story nuggets
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2013
    I thoroughly enjoyed all the short story's in this book, they are all distinctly different and just right to either read the book in a couple of hours, or, squeeze into those brief moments of respite during busy days.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Philip Whiteland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great tales from an assured story-teller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a really good collection of short stories that are amusing, sometimes surprising and often quirky. Jan is an experienced and assured story-teller and that comes across clearly in this collection. The reader always feels confident that the story will be resolved in a neat and well thought out way. Many of the stories have appeared in Jan's other collections but this is a super introduction for those who are new to Jan's work. Dip in, you won't regret it!
    Report
  • Chris Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great little bite-sized story nuggets
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed all the short stories in this book, they are all distinctly different and just right to either read the book in a couple of hours, or, squeeze into those brief moments of respite during busy days.
    Report

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