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Dregs
A collection of things; none of which are related to anything else.
Fantasy, fiction, poetry, shower thoughts, and speculation.
Something to make you think, smile, or put the kettle on.
Dip in, jump out. Shake your tailfeather.
A little adventure. Just you and me.
What are you waiting for?
Fantasy, fiction, poetry, shower thoughts, and speculation.
Something to make you think, smile, or put the kettle on.
Dip in, jump out. Shake your tailfeather.
A little adventure. Just you and me.
What are you waiting for?
122 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2022
3 people want to read
About the author
Rachel K. Jones
1 book2 followersRachel Jones is a real human being, despite there being some scientific evidence to the contrary.
Rachel’s passion for words began in early childhood. Her father crafted her a bed out of a bookcase. This magical place was where she first dreamt of writing her own stories.
She has published poetry and prose in different media around the world.
As would be expected, she is an active member of her local writers’ group in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia. Her preferred genre is comedic horror.
She has yet to find anyone that wants to read it.
She is passionate about her current role as a clinical nurse educator in the Big Rivers Region. She is fortunate enough to be able to spend much of her time tootling around The Bush on her way to remote health centres.
There are dogs, cats, and gnomes in her household who provide a source of inspiration for her writing.
Rachel is married to Steve, together they have a plan to fix the world.
There are still some seats available on that particular bus.
She suggests you bring a hat, just in case.
Rachel’s passion for words began in early childhood. Her father crafted her a bed out of a bookcase. This magical place was where she first dreamt of writing her own stories.
She has published poetry and prose in different media around the world.
As would be expected, she is an active member of her local writers’ group in Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia. Her preferred genre is comedic horror.
She has yet to find anyone that wants to read it.
She is passionate about her current role as a clinical nurse educator in the Big Rivers Region. She is fortunate enough to be able to spend much of her time tootling around The Bush on her way to remote health centres.
There are dogs, cats, and gnomes in her household who provide a source of inspiration for her writing.
Rachel is married to Steve, together they have a plan to fix the world.
There are still some seats available on that particular bus.
She suggests you bring a hat, just in case.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 18, 2022
OMG I love this book. It's a quickie read full of warped poems and down right wrong short stories. It's twisted and gory and so wrong it's right. My fave was Jim Builds A Chariot - it really reminded me of the final days of my dad.
5 stars for Rachel, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
5 stars for Rachel, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
August 1, 2023
This has been a lovely book to read. The poems are quirky and extremely clever. The short stories have touches of delicious fantasy and amazing realism. The author seems to have the captivating writing style of someone between David Foster – Wallace and Neil Gaiman. (Book Tour Reviewer Rachel Stoddart)
This collection has humour, zing and a ton of grace. The author’s voice comes through loud and clear, with a wry, intelligent tone. I giggled, I smirked, and I guffawed. The writing is clever, flowing well, with snark a plenty. It’s real, with enough archetypes that we, too, can recognise. The poetry is good, well structured, although less engaging for me than the short stories. I liked the mix of forms, though. (Book Tour Reviewer Eryn McConnell)
This small but perfectly formed book was an absolute breeze to read from start to finish. Rachel’s writing flows naturally from her and she has a gift for creating colourful characters and verse. The writing is wonderfully witty but there are also moments of poignancy that really make you stop and think. To me this beautifully reflects real life, where there are moments of humour and hope to be found even in the darkest times. I’d recommend this collection to anyone, even people who aren’t particular fans of poetry and short stories. Reading Dregs feels like passing a stranger in a street and getting an intriguing glimpse into their life before carrying on with the business of your own day. I’m very excited for Dregs 2! (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
This was one of the quirkiest collections I’ve read in a while. One goes through many emotions when reading through. Some stories are comfy feel-good stories; some are strange and end in eclectic ways; some are creepy and end in a dark way; as for the poems they are all over the spectrum too; with some being philosophical musings about life and emotions; others about writing, or some being about family and death. All of the stories and poems have a strong emotional punch, whatever genre they fall in. The author’s voice is clear and unique, whether it’s for the poetry or the stories; the poems flow and are digestible because they are not long; and all the content seems to have a linking thread of delving into the intense parts of human nature: whether it’s uncomfortable, or on the contrary soothing to the soul. The collection felt cohesive despite the different mediums. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
In hindsight, the title of the book is quite suited to the tone of its contents, not for lack of quality, but for the quirky voice of the writer. Not everything here goes together, but it certainly works, and feels like a great introduction to Rachel Jones as an author. The pieces range from comedy to horror, with a few more philosophical and existentialist works in between. I personally enjoyed the author’s irreverent sense of humour and the stories where it was center stage were real highlights for me. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
Rachel has written many different characters in this work of assorted gems from her portfolio. Many could be used in novels of their own. I’d like to see her separate these into different works, and who knows, maybe this will happen in the future. I did enjoy most of it, and I would happily recommend it. (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
I am not normally a fan of short story collections or poetry, as I prefer to sink my teeth into a good novel. With poetry whilst I find some verses quite beautiful, I often find it difficult to understand and truly connect with. However I was completely blown away with the poetry and short story compilation in Dregs. I absolutely loved all of the stories and poems in this short but powerful book. The poetry truly resonated with me on a personal level and so I must commend the Author on this point alone. To be captured by a poetry collection is really telling for me on just how good the quality and expression of writing is. There are two short stories that I loved and would read them again and again, the Pitch being one of them. Dregs ticked every box for me and is a book I would definitely add to my own personal collection and recommend others do the same. (Book Tour Reviewer Kirsty McKay)
We award 5 stars.
This collection has humour, zing and a ton of grace. The author’s voice comes through loud and clear, with a wry, intelligent tone. I giggled, I smirked, and I guffawed. The writing is clever, flowing well, with snark a plenty. It’s real, with enough archetypes that we, too, can recognise. The poetry is good, well structured, although less engaging for me than the short stories. I liked the mix of forms, though. (Book Tour Reviewer Eryn McConnell)
This small but perfectly formed book was an absolute breeze to read from start to finish. Rachel’s writing flows naturally from her and she has a gift for creating colourful characters and verse. The writing is wonderfully witty but there are also moments of poignancy that really make you stop and think. To me this beautifully reflects real life, where there are moments of humour and hope to be found even in the darkest times. I’d recommend this collection to anyone, even people who aren’t particular fans of poetry and short stories. Reading Dregs feels like passing a stranger in a street and getting an intriguing glimpse into their life before carrying on with the business of your own day. I’m very excited for Dregs 2! (Book Tour Reviewer Michelle Marshall)
This was one of the quirkiest collections I’ve read in a while. One goes through many emotions when reading through. Some stories are comfy feel-good stories; some are strange and end in eclectic ways; some are creepy and end in a dark way; as for the poems they are all over the spectrum too; with some being philosophical musings about life and emotions; others about writing, or some being about family and death. All of the stories and poems have a strong emotional punch, whatever genre they fall in. The author’s voice is clear and unique, whether it’s for the poetry or the stories; the poems flow and are digestible because they are not long; and all the content seems to have a linking thread of delving into the intense parts of human nature: whether it’s uncomfortable, or on the contrary soothing to the soul. The collection felt cohesive despite the different mediums. (Book Tour Reviewer Sophie Jupillat Posey)
In hindsight, the title of the book is quite suited to the tone of its contents, not for lack of quality, but for the quirky voice of the writer. Not everything here goes together, but it certainly works, and feels like a great introduction to Rachel Jones as an author. The pieces range from comedy to horror, with a few more philosophical and existentialist works in between. I personally enjoyed the author’s irreverent sense of humour and the stories where it was center stage were real highlights for me. (Book Tour Reviewer Tim Marshall)
Rachel has written many different characters in this work of assorted gems from her portfolio. Many could be used in novels of their own. I’d like to see her separate these into different works, and who knows, maybe this will happen in the future. I did enjoy most of it, and I would happily recommend it. (Book Tour Reviewer Yvonne Marrs)
I am not normally a fan of short story collections or poetry, as I prefer to sink my teeth into a good novel. With poetry whilst I find some verses quite beautiful, I often find it difficult to understand and truly connect with. However I was completely blown away with the poetry and short story compilation in Dregs. I absolutely loved all of the stories and poems in this short but powerful book. The poetry truly resonated with me on a personal level and so I must commend the Author on this point alone. To be captured by a poetry collection is really telling for me on just how good the quality and expression of writing is. There are two short stories that I loved and would read them again and again, the Pitch being one of them. Dregs ticked every box for me and is a book I would definitely add to my own personal collection and recommend others do the same. (Book Tour Reviewer Kirsty McKay)
We award 5 stars.
April 30, 2023
Let me start by saying I loved this book! But I'm not sure how to review it. It's a collection of short stories and poetry, but they're all so quirkily different, I've no idea how to sum them up. Okay. Here's a list of adjectives, one for each course of this insanely inspired banquet, in roughly the order they're served: Enchanting. Hilarious. Eccentrically surprising. Uplifting. Moving. Neil-Gaiman-eat-your-heart-out... And that's just the first half a dozen, so I haven't got to Horrific (a near-future dystopian story), or Beautifully Twisted (the tale of an unusual handbag), or Heartbreaking (a poem about the author's father).
Throughout all these perfectly crafted fictions run serious themes of death, and time, and trying to make sense of an often deeply disturbed world, but the language is so inventive and playful, and the author takes such delight in making you laugh just at the point you feel like crying, that you come away from it with an enlarged appreciation of life, and a sense of having read something genuinely valuable.
Roll on the novel, promised for 2023. If these are the dregs of Rachel Jones's imagination, the cream will definitely be worth waiting for.
Throughout all these perfectly crafted fictions run serious themes of death, and time, and trying to make sense of an often deeply disturbed world, but the language is so inventive and playful, and the author takes such delight in making you laugh just at the point you feel like crying, that you come away from it with an enlarged appreciation of life, and a sense of having read something genuinely valuable.
Roll on the novel, promised for 2023. If these are the dregs of Rachel Jones's imagination, the cream will definitely be worth waiting for.
January 26, 2025
A pot-pourri of delights
The short stories and poems in this eclectic anthology range from touching to downright sinister, taking in whimsy and dark humour on the way. Yet, they share a signature wit and sense of empathy for the characters that gives unity to this diverse collection. The prose is word-rich without wordiness, its spare eloquence perfectly suited to the short format. ‘Chairs to be Stacked Away, Please’ is my favourite, the author’s inimitable style conveying so much I can relate to, followed by ‘The Pitch’, ‘Her Solitude’, and ‘Crossing on a Burnt Bridge’. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the macabre served on a bed of absurdity, with a dash of irony and pathos.
The short stories and poems in this eclectic anthology range from touching to downright sinister, taking in whimsy and dark humour on the way. Yet, they share a signature wit and sense of empathy for the characters that gives unity to this diverse collection. The prose is word-rich without wordiness, its spare eloquence perfectly suited to the short format. ‘Chairs to be Stacked Away, Please’ is my favourite, the author’s inimitable style conveying so much I can relate to, followed by ‘The Pitch’, ‘Her Solitude’, and ‘Crossing on a Burnt Bridge’. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the macabre served on a bed of absurdity, with a dash of irony and pathos.
September 15, 2025
This mix of twisted tales and strong poetry was a fantastic read. The short stories each have a quirky feel to them. Some of my favourites included The Pitch, which had an amusing end, Effies Eye, which made me shudder, Her Solitude, which was horrifying, and of course, Chairs to be stacked Away, Please, which I loved so much.
There are some real gems in here, I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys flash fiction with a sinister twist.
There are some real gems in here, I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys flash fiction with a sinister twist.
May 26, 2025
Loved the short stories and the lovely poems looking forward to book 2 now
January 5, 2026
Dregs by Rachel Jones
A beautifully written and thought-provoking collection of short stories from an author that knows her stuff. She writes with an assurance and confidence that jumps from the page.
Her style is humorous, and her sense of fun and intelligence shines through. Razor-sharp and observant, this author looks at life and records it in effortless prose that is a joy to read.
With a background in care, the author draws on her experiences to produce the detail in the stories.
A collection of short stories, this is the ideal book to have on your nightstand to dib in and out of and perfect for commuter travelling.
I’ll be looking out for more from this lady in the future.
A beautifully written and thought-provoking collection of short stories from an author that knows her stuff. She writes with an assurance and confidence that jumps from the page.
Her style is humorous, and her sense of fun and intelligence shines through. Razor-sharp and observant, this author looks at life and records it in effortless prose that is a joy to read.
With a background in care, the author draws on her experiences to produce the detail in the stories.
A collection of short stories, this is the ideal book to have on your nightstand to dib in and out of and perfect for commuter travelling.
I’ll be looking out for more from this lady in the future.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews