That was Annoying

Random Jottings

Got some malware in my WordPress files through an outdated theme (I’m looking at you, Mon Cahier by BlueLime), hence the lengthy absence while I tried to figure out what was messing with the site. The pesky code has now been expunged.

From now on, I think I shall have to stick with actual WordPress themes, which I can count on to be regularly updated.

Typewriter Identification

Doll Photography, , ,

Miss Dilettante and the Underwood SSMiss Dilettante of the Secretarial Pool

I dusted off my old manual typewriter a few days ago. I’ve owned this machine for decades, and it used to work. But after being subjected to a long-distance move (from Hawaii to Utah) and having been shuffled around in storage for the past four years, it is acting a bit recalcitrant. I can’t say I blame the poor thing. After all, I’ve neglected and ignored it completely, other than shoving it from one side of the storage barn to the other.

underwood ss

Miss Noir, Senior Secretary of the Secretarial Pool

Thanks to the amazing Typewriter Database web site, after finding the serial number I was able to identify this machine as an Underwood Model SS, manufactured sometime between 1 May 1946 and 1 July 1946.

I am hoping that the fascinating, informative, and quirky Type-o-Sphere website will offer some useful tips for getting this machine back in to working order. As an additional information source, I have placed an order for a typewriter repair manual, The Manual Typewriter Repair Bible by Ted Munk.

I would say “I’ll keep you posted,” but updating this blog is not something I often do. Or even do rarely.

Copy Editing Services through Fiverr: What a Crock!

Copy Editing

We listed with Fiverr. Nothin’. Not a single inquiry. Even after lowering the price; or, more accurately, even after offering an insane number of words for the starting price of five dollars, we got nothin’. After two months, we got nothin’.

Even tried opening another account, with a “sexier” user pic of some cute chick. Those are the Fiverr accounts that seem to get the most action, the ones with cute chicks using their feminine charms (i.e. cleavage) to promote their services. Again, no interest.

Apparently “copy editing” is not in as high demand as the dozens of online articles about making money on Fiverr imply.

Our Fiverr account(s) and the associated gmail accounts have been deleted.

In other news:

Total NaNoWriMo fail… again (November 2016).

Copy Editing Services through Fiverr: Coming Soon!

Copy Editing

The Chamber of Chaos will soon offer affordable, quality copy editing. Copy editing (i.e. copy-editing or copyediting) typically entails correcting spelling and punctuation; correcting grammatical and semantic errors; and ensuring that the text flows well and that it makes sense.

Out services will be tailored to, and attractively priced for, independent eBook fiction and non-fiction authors, bloggers, and online content creators.

Updates will appear here as soon as these services are available.

Delayed Publishing Schedule: Still Delayed

Publications, , , , ,

Publication of Steampunk Singles Series No. 3: The Floating Wreck has been delayed by the necessity of moving our publishing headquarters! Hectic weeks behind, and still more hectic weeks ahead.

The intent is to resume a regular publishing schedule by mid-July 2016.

Thank you for your patience.

In the meantime, the following titles remain available for Kindle through Amazon.com:

The Secret of the Desert; or, How We Crossed Arabia in the ‘Antelope’ by Edward Douglas Fawcett

Steampunk Singles Series No. 2: Larry Lee, The Young Lighthouse Keeper by Cap’t. Tho’s. H. Wilson

Steampunk Singles Series No. 1: Afloat with Captain Nemo; or, The Mystery of Whirlpool Island by Cap’t. Tho’s. H. Wilson