Holbrook

Sorry to be an ass but I don't think that's doing you many favours Hol. When you become a published novellist that will be your presence on the internet and it's a bit all over the place, from the title on down. I think if it is going to be a professional piece of cyber turf you should be making everyone who goes there immediately aware who you are, what you do and why they should stick around/buy your stuff.

For examples:
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/
http://normanspinradatlarge.blogspot...-one-cold.html
http://www.warrenellis.com/
http://www.jasonmulgrew.com/main/


I think it could be a lot cleaner (and lighter) and more informative. Good to see you taking advantage of all the tools out there, web presence is something I think many authors/creative people don't bother with or only pay lip service to. My two.

Ouch!

I have changed the skin and the layout for a more sleek one, see what you think? bit more info and reader friendly.

I can't alter the photo till I get home. The title of the blog stays, though.

I think the skin was alright, it was just the actual colour scheme that was the problem - light text on a dark background or dark text on a light background, but never light on light or dark on dark. It just has to be easy to read,

I think the new skin is perhaps a bit modern and generic for the tone and title you want. I know you have an about me section but I'd use the Hi/Welcome sidebar to say 'I'm Susan Boulton, writer of etc, this is my blog and site etc'
I'd also have the info about your agent on the front in a separate block under Hi/I am, with how your agent can be contacted if someone is interested in your work.

And photos I think text heavy blogs often scare people off because lots of browsers hate reading extended passages on a monitor. Neil Gaiman's does this well.

I had quick look around and found a few themes you may or may not be interested in:
http://www.bloggertemplatesfree.com/...gger-template/

http://www.bloggertemplatesfree.com/...gger-template/

http://www.bloggertemplatesfree.com/blak-magik/

Obviously ignore as applicable.

Tried to load on of the themes but Word Press was not having it lol..

I have gone back to the original for the moment. Done a bit of fiddling, but can't seem to change the text colour.

Will keep looking and fiddling.

Aaaaand there goes my afternoon and evening. Rediscovered Norman Spinrad's blog.

I gotta say, those templates suggested are so... baroque. Not for me.

I agree with the dark/light contrast. One blog I follow is black text, gray background. Not so useful.

Hey Susan,

I didn't see the original version, but I'm looking at a white on brown to dark brown themed blog with a leaf-patterned wallpaper.

I like it.

But do keep in mind that all the the blogs that I follow have a dark/black text on white theme. I'm 40 with tired eyes and that is just easier to read.

I like your "sample" story. Don't have time to read it all now, but really liked the beginning. My grandmother used to do the same thing. Will comment on your blog when I get around to finishing it.

Cheers!