The Animal Tales anthology was our first publication, released in October 2025 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lochwinnoch Writers.

It features a range of contributions from the group’s regular members, all featuring animals. There’s poetry by George Colkitto, May Howie and Betty McKellar, short non-fiction pieces by Ann McKeary, Betty McKellar, Sybil Simpson, Claire Wenham and Deborah Winters, short fiction by James Dunlop, Grace Houston, Michael Jarvis and Louise Turner. If you like your fiction, then we have several genres represented including historical fiction ( Michael Jarvis) and dark fantasy (Louise Turner),

And Ross Anderson imagines what it’s like to be in the head of a rescue dog, who finds himself trafficked across Europe on his way to a new home…..

A5, 70 pages, perfect bound. RRP £8.00

Copies can be purchased from Colette’s Cairn in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Abbey Books, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, Beith, North Ayrshire or direct from the author.

The e-book is currently available on the kobo platform but new avenues are being explored….

Cover Art by Florence Faussett

[Editor’s Note: Special mention must go to Animal Tales contributor and Lochwinnoch Writer Claire Wenham, who was a staunch supporter of the anthology and who contributed two pieces – sadly, she passed away in the autumn of 2025, just prior to publication. Claire – thank you for taking part in the project. We miss your rants at the Writers Group. We miss your rambles. And I’m delighted to report that Animal Tales features one of each within its pages.]