Changeover

Diana's first published book is nothing to do with fantasy or science fiction. Slightly less-developed than her later work, her style is still unmistakable. There is a clutch of interesting characters, plenty of incident, and everything ties up nicely at the end. It is a light, entertaining look at a serious subject.

The African country Nmkwami is approaching independence from Britain, and nobody wants any problems to mar the new nation's big day. An absent-minded bureaucrat scribbles a note "Mark Changeover", and then goes absent himself. In the confusion, Mark Changeover is believed to be a mystery man hell-bent on sabotaging Nmkwami's independence day, and a panic-stricken hunt is launched. Soon the non-existent Changeover is rumoured to be planning a nuclear attack, becomes the figurehead of a student revolution, and changes the whole direction of the new republic.

Changeover has been reissued in paperback with a new introduction and is available from Moondust Books

The Skiver's Guide

Description from book
WARNING

Keep this to yourself!

Here is the ultimate guide to getting out of things you don't want to do.  It's easy when you know:-

• The golden rules of skiving.
• How to shirk work.
• Excuses for every occasionn.
• How not to get caught.

These and other secrets of an expert skiver are revealed inside!

Here at last, after twenty years of research, is the ultimate guide to the art of skiving.  It includes the golden rules of skiving, how to tell when work is coming, skiving at home, at school and special cases such as holidays.  Whether you're a complete beginner or merely wish to perfect your skill as a skiver, this book is one you cannot afford to be without

Extract 
Some Noted Skivers

• Diogenes, who did nothing but sit in a tub all day and grumble.
• Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned.
• Alfred the Great, who skived learning to cook.
• Robert the Bruce, who gave up fighting and watched spiders instead.
• Little Boy Blue, for obvious reasons.
• Shakespeare's Hamlet, who was always putting off murdering people.
• The Tolpuddle Martyrs, who invented going on strike.
• Albert Einstein, who proved that using energy is a waste of time.

Television
You will naturally be watching telly a great deal.  However, a lot of skivers make the mistake of talking or going away during news programmes and advertisements.  Do not do this.  Attend carefully to politicians and trades union leaders.  They will teach you how to make Excuses.  Study the advertisements for Ripe Falsehoods.  You will soon see that skiving is an excellent preparation for life...

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