Bits and Bobs and Happy Halloween

This is going to be a rather mixed up post, like the fellow below, so I am going to illustrate it  with photos that might or might not be strictly relevant.   I hope you like them too.

For me this has been a very busy week, and among other things I have been going over a book manuscript that my new agent wants to see.   In these changing times, smart agents are all diversifying and trying new approaches so I don't know what to expect even if she does like the book.

My old agent wants to me put "The Mystery of Lewis Carroll" on his new e-publishing site, Thistle Publishing.  I'm not instantly attracted by his top title, "Memoirs of a Dominatrix" but I trust his instincts - so we shall see...

Talking of Lewis Carroll, I found this illustration in a Victorian copy of "The Lady" magazine, when I was researching the book. (Lewis Carroll used to write for "The Lady").  It is the oldest women's magazine in the UK and is has worn very well, though these days it is aimed at older (and richer) women, not the sort of groovy young chick pictured here in 1888:

Her hair struck me as an odd style -  but then I found an old photo of someone wearing it in real life. I can't say I'm blown away by it though I prefer it to most of the hairstyles fashionable in those days.  How do you think it actually stays on her head?

 I need to tell you that the weird choice of colours on this blog is not mine. I don't put green with purple and yellow.  But Blogger is just so flaky now that even my local tech expert (T) can't manage to make my template designer work no matter how he delves into the HTML. And when I post on Blogger help my posts simply don't appear.  I can't handle this and the blog is just slowly seizing up.  A change to another platform is indicated, but that's a good way to lose readers.  Anyone had a similar problem? What did you do?

I've got so heartily sick of Blogger that when I even think of it I feel like having a drink (or five)

 Meanwhile, I'm getting ready for World Travel Market - can't miss out on that WTM craziness.  Here is an elf from Belgium who took my fancy last year.



And could I possibly ask you to check out some of the wonderful creative writing emerging at our other blog, Mabel and Her Amazing Fleas?   I have been too tied up to contact blogs about creative writing in schools, whose readers might be interested in our project, (although I will finally be getting down to it this weekend) but the kids are thrilled when there are comments.  They are such nice kids, and such fun to work with.

 By the way, I think some people have been trying to message me on Google Plus.  I do have an email address they gave me but I don't know where to check it so I never do.  I would love you to message me, but if you do,  please go here.. I am sick of being bullied into using Google Plus.  This is what I would like to do with Google Plus

Stick it into a dish of scummy water.  (Except that I think the duck actually rather enjoyed it)

So that's my post for today .... Oh, and be sure to have a Happy Halloween!