Back in February this year, the diary of Isabella M Smugge was officially launched on the world with an online event which included confetti canons so expulsive that we’re still finding paper on the light fittings, quite a bit of champagne, pictures of attractive young actors (research, you understand) and some rather fun games.
One of these was Hashtag Heaven, where I invited my readers and viewers to think of a hashtag Issy might use in her next adventure. The winning hashtags feature in the trials of Isabella M Smugge (now available to order) and their creators also make an appearance in the book.
The diary of Isabella M Smugge book launch below - Feb 2021
I’m delighted to reveal the winners and their hashtags.
Moira Gallacher suggested #smuggecontrol and for this she makes an appearance as the doctor at the village surgery which Issy reluctantly visits (Dr Gallacher thinks she is called Mrs Smudge)
Fiona Wellstood came up with #sharingiscaring and has been transformed into Fabulously Fantastic Fiona, a blogger who lives for vigorous exercise
Fran Hill was already a character in book one (efficient smiley Mrs Hill who runs the primary school Issy’s children attend) and here’s her hashtag: #everyonewishestheywereme
Fellow author Sue Thompson came up with #livingthesuffolkdream and is immortalised as Sue the jam-making lady from church
Lou Voce suggested #isabellatellsitlikeitis and has become Lovely Lou, a fellow Year 1 mum and friend to Issy
#issysmuggesayschallengeaccepted is what Emma Ford came up with and for that, she has been transformed into a journalist who loathes Lavinia Harcourt and writes the Net-Results column for her newspaper
Georgie Tennant too makes an appearance in both the books as Mrs Tennant, the headteacher at the primary school. Her hashtag is #issybouncesback
#perfectlyperfect was Katie Moran’s suggestion, turning her into the Cultural Editor for the UK’s most intellectual magazine, Cursive
Sue Parkin came up with #bestfriendsforever and now appears in Trials as the lady from a local agency who saves Issy’s bacon when she can’t cope with working and looking after a new baby
#fabulouslyfantastic was Jenny Bell’s contribution and you will find her featuring as Issy’s friend Nicki Hartington’s business partner at the art gallery in London
Fellow author Wendy H Jones created #issysmuggeownsit and is duly transformed into Bendy Wendy the Fitspo Queen, a fellow blogger
Polly Baker suggested #workitlikeme and you can find her as the new mum at school and mother to Finn’s nerdy football playing friend Harry
We needed a counterpoint to Lavinia, and so her deadly rival at the newspaper, Debbie Bosworth of Bosworth Beholds fame was born. Debbie lives in Arkansas and is a big Smugge fan with her hashtag #thebestisyettocome
My sister-in-law Jane came up with #fabulousandnearlyforty and finds herself dangling elegantly from a tree at a hen party as she is an aerial silks expert, from whom Issy takes a card
And finally, Denise Brown suggested #smuggerise. You will find Denise at the Bloggers’ Awards as Denizia de Browning, a successful agent who represents Bendy Wendy amongst others