What are the stories about?
Thursday's Stories are varied, but always centre on human relationships, time, and the everyday beauty of nature. The attention to detail and lyrical prose unifies these themes.
I've written about the feeling of seeing a face in some way identical to a lost loved one, and about teenage boys kicking a Cola bottle around an old arcade. From proposals to diagnoses, from Instagram photoshoots to the odd time machine.
Some recent stories have been set at: an overgrown lake, a backgarden, a confusing drive home, and a university ground.
How long are the stories each week?
Each week is slightly different - the stories range between 800 and 2,500 words, but most are around 1,000 words.
That's about 4 minutes of reading time, or roughly the time it takes for your tea to cool down.
Can I read a story before I decide to subscribe?
Yes! Just go to One Free Story above to read the story "Turning Back", completely for free. If you would like a story like that in your inbox every week, plus access to our full archive of stories, you can subscribe for just £1/month.
Who writes the stories?
Pardon These Details is run by Gemini, an English and Russian literature graduate from a small coastal town in the UK. She started writing these stories, ill-advisedly, in the midst of preparing a thesis on War and Peace, and doesn't plan to stop.
You can read more about how, and why, Pardon These Details began on our About page, or follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, @pardonthesedetails.
How can I cancel my subscription?
If you're saying goodbye to Pardon These Details for now, just head to Manage Subscriptions and click "Cancel my subscription". You'll still have access to all new stories and the full archive until the end of your current billing period when your subscription is cancelled.
Will I be able to read stories posted before I subscribed?
Yes! Once you subscribe, you will have access to the full archive of Pardon These Details stories since May 2026. Just go to the Thursday's Stories page to read at your leisure.
Can I pay for just one story?
Currently, no. Our stories are unique every week, so subscribing for just one month gives you 4 different stories to choose from and you can cancel at any time.
You can also read our One Free Story to see if you might like the little details at the heart of everything we write.
How much does it cost to subscribe?
For £1 a month, you'll receive a new short story in your inbox every Thursday, plus access to the full archive of Thursday's Stories on our website.