Miss Manners

This was funny, exciting, fresh, new, and a pleasure to read! Your voice is perfect--easy to get to know and sympathize with. I couldn't put it down. Now I know why people have been talking about Miss Manners so much!
Noelle

This is fast-paced, fresh, perky, funny and faultlessly written. It reads like a published book.

Excellent work. Good luck with it.

Juli (Trusting Claude)

Only four chapters! That's cruel. I'm sitting here as happy as a kid with mom's makeup case. I'm loving it all! You've got a winner! When you get published, tell me! I mean it! I'll be loyal fan, I promise. ;D I love the joy and comedy and lightheartedness of the whole story, and the chumminess and daydreaming. Girls will rave for this book, I guarantee you. And the Pinkie assault! "Bunny Simpkins just attacked Pinkie Mortimer." Oh man, I had to burst out laughing!
I did notice a couple nit-picks, but considering there was only two, I say that's pretty good. If you want to know, I'll message you!
Six stars, and a backing when I can! Keep up the awesome work! Oh, will you be going with "Iman Sid" when you publish? If so, I'll have to memorize it.

--Shieldmaiden

Have read all uploaded chapters (and hope you’re uploading more!) Some witty stylish writing here, I thought the obituary was pretty funny! (and sad, of course). And I related to her reaction to being called Madam. I’m 35 and still if someone calls me Madam or I tell them off! Really great storyline. Pinky sounds like a total cow from her diary excerpts. I didn’t see any typos or anything. Perfect chick-lit!
Six stars
Tammy Robinson

I absolutely adore this book, it's so hilarious! I'm not a massive fan of chick-lit and even less a fan of books written in 1st person but Miss Manners has definitely changed my views. Anna is a brilliant MC and I think alot of women could relate to her. The debacle that happens between her Pinkie is so relevant to the socialite culture we see splashed all over the papers today. You introduce humour so well that at times, I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing out loud like an idiot. Your writing seems effortless and I was so engrossed, I didn't notice a single mistake.
I know its been mentioned in other comments but the 'squashed plasticine' line was the best I've ever read. Seriously I almost cried with laughter!
I'm definitely backing you, this book NEEDS to be on shelves in stores everywhere. One of the best I've read on authonomy so far. PLEASE POST MORE!!!
Good luck :)
Yasmin
- Guileless

Chick Lit isn't my thing, generally, but this was refreshingly funny, and despite my far more advanced age, I found myself relating to Miss Manners. The descriptions were delightful and the style easy and enjoyable to read. I could easily be tempted to read it right through. Well done!

Iman,
I just read chapter 1. This is very entertaining. I particularly enjoyed her abandoning her mini Cooper in the road. I will read on and comment further, however I wanted to point out a suggestion. I think that you summarize just a little bit too much as she daydreams about the kind of job she wants, when she talks about the fact she wants to write. IMHO this kind of summarizing should be kept to minimum, especially in the early parts of the book. Otherwise, they tend to detract from the plot. On the other hand, I felt that all the banter about how she will be remembered when she dies is very entertaining. I thought that you could actually expand on this.
In any event, I will read on and give you more detailed comments later. It is great fun.
Best,
Maeve

Dear Inman: I love Earl Grey tea! and, as I sit here reading "Miss Manners," with my cup of Earl Grey in hand, I am casually smiling at your witty book until I reach the section about the Pinkie assault - then I burst out loud laughing and had to sit my Grey down to keep from spilling it. I needed a smile and a laugh today, and this book is hilarious! You have a winner on your hand here and when it's published, a best seller :-) An additional couple of my lol moments in reading your delightful book:
Ch. 3: "you go to an antique auction and 3 people bid on you."
Ch. 5: "seizing it (the day) and grabbing it by the bullocks"
I found myself really regretting that you had included only 5 chapters as I finished with the funny session with the fortune teller. Keep writing because you are an excellent writer! Manys stars! Pat

Reading "Miss Manners," it is a pleasure to be in the company of Anna Borgstrom, a narrator with a strong voice and an immediately interesting situation. Stuck in traffic with a broken down Mini Cooper, Anna's main concern is actually getting to work on time (and, in a larger sense, her main concern is getting a better life.) Her interactions with the cabbie on the road are delightful, as are the cutting comments she makes about tube travel and her own looks and lifestyle. It will be a pleasure to continue on with this narrator.

One humble suggestion: Anna's interior monologue goes on a bit long at the beginning and takes away from the rather exciting moment on the road. I might suggest cutting out the three paragraphs starting with "My parents tried to point out if it was a job I was after" and getting back into the street scene. That would make your opening more grabbing and take away some not-so-exciting exposition. I'm sure it's important information, but if it isn't apparent later in the novel, you can pepper it in later. My guess would be that such a change would make this more interesting when it reaches the ED.

Daniel Rider
"Indian Summer"

True pleasure ! Nice work, in fact overwhelming !
I very much liked the part about the obituary note !

Amazing book, it's funny, it gives excellent detail and feeling, and excellent characters. I really enjoyed reading this book and I can easily see why it is on the Editor's Desk. Thank you for sharing!
S.C.

Just finished the first chapter. Loving it! Your writing voice is refreshing and the character is easy to sympathize with. The descriptions feel natural, like they fit the character very well and Anna just...feels like one of those people who thirst for more but must settle for less. This feeling isn't forced upon the reader which is a relief.

Her goal is clear and her reactions are natural. Your writing is simple but also perky and percise--a pleasure to read. I can tell I will enjoy this immensely.

Definitely backing this!

- H

Iman:

This book sounds and reads like a day out of so many lives! I love it! Can't wait till you finish it. I just have to know where it all ends.

This is a quick read. Has lots of activity. Even her thoughts are in motion -(if that makes senseeing from New York I really enjoyed the description of the subway ride. That was priceless. I have had many of those days.

I really enjoyed the processing she goes through when she has to play Bunny Simpkins. Her impression of Pinkie Mortimer is dead on: people who are famous just for being famous (and noone ever really knows why they're famous to start with). Being fired might just be salvation.

Ashara (Like Corns on My Toes)

This is hysterical and so delightful! This is a book I would put on my real bookshelf and snag every time I needed a good pick-me-up. It is an easy read, funny, and I love your descriptions. (i.e. Bill-a football with legs, face squashed by someone angry, and umbrella haired)-genius! It's fresh and different and brilliant! I can relate to your character, car breaking down, grid-locking traffic, having to act like a fool for your job, etc. I could totally sympathize with your character, who was entirely likeable! I honestly didn't see any flaws in it. When this book is published (because I am SURE it will be) I will run out and buy a dozen copies! It's amazing! Six stars! Can't wait to see it on the editor's list soon!

Great start - will put on the watch list

A great fun read. It's well written, it has a premise that comparable with the Bridget Jones saga and should be a great success.
Backed with pleasure,
Laurence Howard, The Cross of Goa

Hi Iman, I enjoyed the first two chapters I read, obviously its all been said before; fast paced, wacky, great characterisation (particularly loved Pinkie, came over more as Piggy actually), and you capture the rising swell of panic very well. I know exactly what market this is aimed at and I'd say you've done a pretty accurate job. Maybe some of the asides the reader are a little forced and repetitive, we get that she's a loser by the action so don't need to be constantly prodded about it, but I can see it builds intimacy with the readers, which I'm guessing will be mostly female and will enjoy/empathise with the heroine's travails. Nice Harrod's details, goes a long way to giving the story a solid believable background in he midst of all the mayhem. Good luck, will put it on my shelf for a short while to get you to ed's desk. Please have a read of 'Jacey's Kingdom', I think you'll enjoy Jacey, despite her desperate predicament, maybe George as well, once you get to know him. Cheers!

O M G. Amazing. I loved it! You've thrust me into the story effortlessly, and I think I am in love with your book! I will sit down and continue to read later on tonight. :) Well done my dear!

Hi, you bought here, no actually i will call it forwarded here, something pretty real in your fiction, oh sitting in the mini, those line to remembe, fired, admission fee, bill and budget sheet. oh no- the mini impounded.

Please do complete, it is great. What happens next? surely she will win a lottery, as a miracle l!!! Guessing only, only you can tell what happens next.

Fast paced and amusing. Really good read. Lovely!
Caroline "Walking On Eggshells".

Fast paced and amusing. Really good read. Lovely!
Caroline "Walking On Eggshells".

Iman I have backed and highly starred your romantic comedy! My apologies for taking so long to come back to "Miss Manners. Thoroughly enjoyable read with a flowing narrative, great character development, and witty dialogue. Can't wait to see what you write next.--JL "The Devil Of Black Bayou"

Comment continue from chapter one. I completed chapter two......
Thanks goodness you arrived at work in one PIECE. I'm pleased about that but not the Easter bunny costume that you had to wear for a week. You were a model worker, you never liked it but you wore it to promote the company merchandise. Thanks for your mom's inspirational words "do your best and forget the rest". It helped you when dramatic/irritable/ disrespectful Bill kept bugging you. I was pleased when your battery died. At least for that moment you didn't have to listen to his irritable voice. However, he found a way to get to you. He had not clue about the details with you and Pinkie yet he stormed into the room where you were with nonsense then sacked you. Its not nice to be dismissed but the environment was hostile. He did you a favour, I thought. If you had stayed you probably would have had a breakdown.
I hope your next boss is respectful. That's if you don't think too much about being sacked and get depressed. You already referred to yourself as "loser"
I'll be back to see how you cope in chapter 3 and what you did next

I read chapter one.
Your mind cultivated ill-thoughts whilst stuck in traffic. You hate your life. You visualised your funeral. You also cultivated good thoughts. You are not a failure. You studied. You worked. And speaking of work, you got stuck in traffic on your way to work. That you realised when came out of daydream. Then you experienced a bit of road rage with a Homer Simpson voice man. You jumped to defend yourself only to be interrupted by a phone call from your boos, Bill, who wanted to know why you were late. Moment later you considered the possibility of dismissal. The problems escalated on the road. You abandoned your car for the tube
I'll be back to see if you make it into work and if you got sacked and what other problems you experience on the way
6 stars + recommended thus far

Dear Iman
You asked me to join in a swap a while ago and I've now begun to go back on all unanswered messages which I apoligise for,but hope to make right. I'veread some chapters of your delightful book. Many of us can relate to her problems living and working in a big city.
I've rated and put on my watchlist and will BE in touch soon.
Hope to hear from you soon. Should you want to read/comment and hopefully rate may I please ask any chapters from 4-7.
Kindest regards
P.S.Please overlook typos am using phone and stylus
Maretha African Adventures of Flame Family Furry and Feathered Friends

Sorry am only responding now but have been trying to find my feet. I've put M.Manners on my watchlist and started reading and have enjoyed the first ch very much. Will be IN TOUCH soon with the rest.
Would like to ask if you would be able to read some of my book preferably from ch 4 onwards and comment and if warranted rate?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards
Maretha African Adventures of Flame Family Furry and Feathered Friends

I am at 3 chapter of your book...
Reading it I feel like i am watching sex and city...
Formatting, descriptions and dialogues are well done...
For that I have scored your book 5...will write to you back about what i think about the story when i am done...
Till then, all the best..
Olga 13

Hi, really enjoyed what I've read. Your writing style seems similar to mine. Very funny. I'm not a big reader, prefer the writing, but I could see this being a really good holiday read. Congratulations and good luck!

Best wishes
Ruth
Being Sarah Chilton (A guide for all mums when the sh*t hits the fan)

Great pitch, very clear and stylish, sets the light-hearted tone very well. If it were mine, I’d slightly rearrange the ingredients. I wouldn’t put the nice list of secondary characters as the last word. I’d move that up a bit, and have your summary (second to last sentence) end the pitch – or possibly your question, if she can be the next big thing.

This is one for the Girlies, no question. Perhaps there is the occasional reference or technically ungrammatical bit of slang that makes me feel old, but that’s my problem. Young readers who know what Camden Town tube smells like will be able to relate to her frustrations. She wants a cushy life. She wants to drive a car and never take the tube. She wants money and fame. She mentions fashion week but wears grey ratty knickers. There are loads of young women will relate to this.

It’s a modern day fairy-tale – with a mini-driving Cinderella waiting for a fairy godmother (or the closest thing) that will transform her from a working-girl servant into a moneyed lady of leisure.

Plus, there is the supreme irony of “Everything for Everyone” being Harrods’ slogan - this is too good to be true. Of course it is only for the elite, not for everyone at all!

I am not surprised you shot up the ratings.

Best wishes to you, from
Eileen Kardos
The Noodle Trail

LOL - this is brilliant! It's not my kind of book at all, but you roped me in anyway. It's fast paced and funny. My brain isn't fast enough to keep up. I mean you need to read it slowly to take in all the intricacies of the delicate descriptions, but reading it slowly spoils the deliciously racy pace. Words fail me. Six stars, and I will make room on my bookshelf soon.

Your book is hilarious and deserves to be published! Thanks so much for letting me know. You have an amazing gift for humor and good timing!

Oh, I love your writing style immensely. I'm backing this book up and want to see it published :) Good luck!

I'm not really qualified to comment on chick-lit, it isn't my cup of tea. I do find this very readable, though. The MC is easy to relate to and the narrative is nice and pacy. Just a minor comment, I didn't get the 'clocked in job' line in chapter 1. I'm assuming you mean jobs where people have to clock in (9-5)? It didn't quite work for me. This is a minor point, I think your writing is good.

Best of luck with it

GG x

Very readable first chapter- there seems to be some problem loading the remainder, unless I'm doing something wrong.

Well I have to confess I'm starting to enjoy reading Chick Lit. You are a very talented author. I left you a full boat of stars. Crayton

Fun, breezy read. Great for the beach season. Good luck!

Melissa

Fun, breezy read. Great for the beach season. Good luck!

Melissa

Let me preamble this by saying that I am not a fan of chick lit novels. Love the movies...not so much the novels. However, not let me say that I loved it. You are hilarious! I love your sense of humor-you do it so well and naturally. It totally reminds me of Bridget Jones which is a good thing in my opinion. "Died Trying" LOL! I haven't laughed out loud from reading a book in a long time, so thanks for that.

Usually I would give constructive feedback, but I don't really have any. Really great job. I am backing your book and I look forward to reading more.
Frith,
Kayla Shaw
PHILOSOPHIA

Oh, yeah! this is good. I'm hooked. Now, I absolutely have to read it.So, when are you posting the rest of it?

Ashara (Like Corns on My Toes

I read through most of ch 1! A major feat - I did warn you that Chick Lit is not my thing. Putting that to one side, the writing was excellent. You could easilty picture the scene; we've all been there. Only one weeny item I would pick you up on - you describe her orbituary as 5 lines - there are only four. Yah sucks - you see, I did read ;o). Seriously: well written. Good luck with the ED. Oh, high stars.
Rob Lawrence.

This is a lot of fun. I love the voice; it's perfect. That, together with the concept, makes it such a fun, escapist book for women. I can relate to the MC too, since I was an English major who wanted to work at a magazine after graduation. I like the tension too. You really push things to the limit. My only nitpicky suggestion is to have her already know Felicity before seeing her at the Pinky event and offering up the room. That moved a tad fast. Seriously, great job!

Hi Iman, Melanie, (la vie) recommended I read your book and I'm so gald she did! I'ts really funny and endearing I thoroughly enjoyed it, well done I4m sure you will do very well with it. Highly stared!
All the best Karen Bates Faking it in France.

This isn't my style of book, but I liked Anna and thought it was funny and well-written. Keep up the good work!

TJ Dowling

Ha ha I felt as if I was there with you! I have lived in London so fully felt the pain of the poor person in the car! I can't wait to read more :) I would love to connect with you on Facebook too if possible www.facebook.com/kingsdaughter21

I will comment more when I have read more but so far so good - no, fantastic!

Ha ha I felt as if I was there with you! I have lived in London so fully felt the pain of the poor person in the car! I can't wait to read more :) I would love to connect with you on Facebook too if possible www.facebook.com/kingsdaughter21

I will comment more when I have read more but so far so good - no, fantastic!

Ha ha I felt as if I was there with you! I have lived in London so fully felt the pain of the poor person in the car! I can't wait to read more :) I would love to connect with you on Facebook too if possible www.facebook.com/kingsdaughter21

I will comment more when I have read more but so far so good - no, fantastic!

Ha ha I felt as if I was there with you! I have lived in London so fully felt the pain of the poor person in the car! I can't wait to read more :) I would love to connect with you on Facebook too if possible www.facebook.com/kingsdaughter21

I will comment more when I have read more but so far so good - no, fantastic!

Ha ha I felt as if I was there with you! I have lived in London so fully felt the pain of the poor person in the car! I can't wait to read more :) I would love to connect with you on Facebook too if possible www.facebook.com/kingsdaughter21

I will comment more when I have read more but so far so good - no, fantastic!

I really enjoyed reading about Anna, she is so sarcastic and quirky so it was easy for me to identify with her. Also I like that she is so consistent in her personality, The description of how she views the world is fantastic... slightly cynical but entertaining. There are moments when I think it is a little too much in random description but at the same time it helps the pages come to life. I am slightly torn by this. One last thing may I just compliment you completely for your depiction of Pinkie!? I was laughing as I read about her and the things she said it was so great :D. My all time favorite line from this so far was "boys are stupid, throw rocks at them."

I look forward to your work's development and the days to come. Anna is a great character and she really brings life to the page. Someone I would want to be friends with.

Hi, I spent the evening reading "Miss Manners", here are my thoughts; hilarious, your character descriptions and back-stories are great... From the beginning, the car scene, the boss scene, the humiliating bunny suit and then the cat-fight (sorry bunny-fight)... very funny...

I really enjoyed the story, good luck, I will remember this one when I see it on a Barnes & Noble book-shop table and on the NYT Best Seller List.... FC

Just finished Miss Manners. Very well written book (yeah I was going to do a chapter a day BUT...your work absorbed me). I'm really looking forward to hearing more of Miss Manners and especially the arc between Anna and Pinkie. You set up a believable protagonist, kind of like the everywoman, and you present a clear and concise picture of London (where I've never been to). I really like what you have so far, I'll be looking forward to reading more as you update more chapters. Very well done!! :-)

Regards,
Victor (ViViAsh)

Hello, just an update and commentary on Chapter 2:

I love it! Pinkie Mortimer...that's just too clever! Love the whole scene (and what she gets). Your main character is delightfully awesome! Very clever.

Only one tidbit. Bill Wiesman as Bill? I would think maybe William Wiesman or another name. Bill being known as Bill is a bit redundant.

Otherwise fantastic! Continuing to read on...
ViViAsh

I don't usually go for a book like this but from the start i loved it. The fact you have a Mini Cooper in it just makes it better. As soon as you mentioned granny nickers it made me smile and think of a certain film.Be keeping this on my list and be back to read more when i have the time.
Terence

Hi Iman,

I’m finally here for our read swap. I sat down for a quick read and ended up reading all five chapters – and thoroughly enjoying the read. You’ve created an engaging and witty story with entertaining characters and an intriguing plot. I’ve noted down just a few things for you below.

Ch 3

Paragraph beginning, ‘But now that I had been fired’
I can’t quite follow this. She and Tara had been paying £300/month up until now, so we know Tara can afford that. So really, it’s just Felicity who can’t pay £300/month (presumably).

It might be a good idea to say that the rent was due in a few days or something. If they just paid it two days ago, then Felicity (if she moves in that day) just needs to pay them both approx. £100 each and they’re all square for the month – and Anna has a month’s lee-way to find a job. ( I see that you mention when it’s due later, but I did find it confusing at this point).

I’m glad she doesn’t know what polemic means. I didn’t either. I looked it up in the dictionary, just before I read her comment!

‘hovering over my head.’
Is this meant to be the end of a paragraph?


Ch 5

You have the rent here as £850/month, yet in Ch 3 it was £600/month.

This was a really enjoyable read. Your characters jump of the page and Anna’s exploits are endlessly entertaining.

I’ll pop you on my watchlist for a spot on my shelf.

Sue

Not a fan of chick lit, Iman, but...Your story is well told, has fine attention to detail, quality writing and professional presentation. I also like balance of narration and dialogue. Good work.