A Measure of Time | A Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities Short Story by Francesca Astraea

View of hourglass and other antiques with text reading "Bezzina's Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities, A Measure of Time, Francesca Astraea"

You absolutely do not need to have started reading or have read Rotting Trees to enjoy this. You don't have to have read any Bezzina's stories at all. It is quite short, because I wrote it for a zine submission but decided not to edit it after the zine said no. Enjoy!   On a … Continue reading A Measure of Time | A Bezzina’s Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities Short Story by Francesca Astraea

‘Growing Pains,’ a Bezzina’s Emporium Short Story by Francesca Astraea

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Ernest Bezzina really just wants a cup of tea. Two short stories in one quarter? It is indeed. There's invented Latin. Well, the Latin is real, I just smushed two words together. That's how language works, right. I'm not saying that if you enjoy this, you should all keep an eye on my Patreon, but … Continue reading ‘Growing Pains,’ a Bezzina’s Emporium Short Story by Francesca Astraea

‘A Devil of a Time’ by Francesca Astraea, Illustrated by Tatchiana Michaela

Illustration of a small child playing outside an old house, with a clock in the foreground. Text reads 'Francesca Astraea A Devil of a Time'

A new story? In this year of our lord 2023? Well, I actually wrote this last summer to pitch to magazines. BUT STILL. Here you go. No blurb because you have this wonderful illustration by my friend Tatchiana Michaela, a Bristol-based illustrator (who is open for commissions if you're interested!). As per, it was available … Continue reading ‘A Devil of a Time’ by Francesca Astraea, Illustrated by Tatchiana Michaela

Quiet Night Out, a Bezzina’s Story by Francesca Astraea

tarot cards with graphic reading 'Bezzinas Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities Quiet Night Out by Francesca Astraea'

Welcome to the latest Bezzina's story! It is a standalone; you don’t have to read them in order of publication, but you can find them all here. Sophey and Ariel have an idea to boost the fortunes of Bezzina's Emporium of Magical Artefacts and Antiquities, but they're going to have their work cut out...   Ernest … Continue reading Quiet Night Out, a Bezzina’s Story by Francesca Astraea

Making Connections (The Magician, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea

white on purple text reading 'Major Arcana Series The Magician Francesca Burke'

When booking a session at an exclusive life coach’s ‘wellness centre,’ Natalie anticipated a white sofa, ambient music and mineral water in glass bottles. She thought the life coach would wear loose fitting, neutral clothes and use phrases such as ‘staying present’ and ‘checking in with the soul.’   She did not expect the lifestyle … Continue reading Making Connections (The Magician, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea

It’s Always the Apocalypse Somewhere (The Sun, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea

white on purple text reading 'Major Arcana Series The Sun Francesca Burke'

  It’s always the apocalypse somewhere.   Today, it was at fifty-three Milton Place. Catalyst? An unanswered text. No, not an unanswered text. The jolt of realisation, upon looking for an answer, that most likely none would come. If one did, the realisation continued reasonably, could it possibly improve the situation that culminated in the … Continue reading It’s Always the Apocalypse Somewhere (The Sun, the Major Arcana Series) by Francesca Astraea