I've put something up on my website, at

http://www.magicpike.com/Contents.html

and I'd like to know what people think of it. There are one or two areas I'd like to improve on, but by and large I'm happy with it. But I could do with hearing the opinions of others.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

Al

Apologies in advance for not commenting on what you want me to comment on

1) Never, never default text on a web page to being bold.

2) The combination of purple, grey and whatever abominable off-peach brown colour that is just does not sit right with my eyes. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it hurts my brain.

3) When kids are running around like this, it is they who need warning, not the innocent public!

<Added>

Sorry if the above is a little harsh. My opinion is an acquired taste...

Thanks. This is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. Strange as it may seem, I spent quite a lot of time on the colour scheme, and the one that's there is the one I find most comfortable. But there you go. It can be altered :-)

Al,

I thought this was an original way of presenting your writing. I enjoyed what I read but it is a bit long to go further that the first 6 or 7.

I have the feeling that you have had this turned down by convential publishers and have toyed with the idea of self-publishing, hence the format idea.

It reads rather like various reports and passing events in a type of 'Vurderland' not quite fairy-story material but with a sardonic attitude prevailing.

Your off-beat style is very interesting but the stories lack any depth and I did find a contrast between the standard of your writing with some parts I would describe as 'excellent' while other parts Heineken would have difficulty in reaching.

Nevertheless a great effort. Well done.

Len

"it is a bit long to go further that the first 6 or 7."

Yes; I'm not sure what to do about that.

"I have the feeling that you have had this turned down by convential publishers and have toyed with the idea of self-publishing, hence the format idea."

I've sent it to one or two, yes. The thing is, I'm going to be working in Moscow for the next year, so it's not so easy for me from that point of view.

"Your off-beat style is very interesting but the stories lack any depth and I did find a contrast between the standard of your writing with some parts I would describe as 'excellent' while other parts Heineken would have difficulty in reaching."

;-) Well, you know, it's not a "Greatest Hits" kind of thing. So, yes, it is a bit uneven. The stories aren't really supposed to have depth; they're simply meant as pieces of entertainment. A number of them aren't meant to stand alone; they're meant to work as part of the whole. The final page explains how they're linked together.

"Nevertheless a great effort. Well done."

Thanks. I've taken IB's advice and tinkered with the layout; I was in two minds about having the text in bold anyway. I might change the background as well if enough people complain :-) If anyone else is interested in having a look, I should add that the chapters are self-contained, so it's not that important what order you read them in. I don't mind people being specific about what bits they like or don't like as well.