AUSTENESQUE NEWS AND GIVEAWAY WINNER

1. TAKING THE DARCY

Biologists have named a protein in mice urine after Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice. I know, not very romantic at all, but so curious! 

The protein is a pheromone responisble for attracting female mice to the odour of a particular male. The scientists have dubbed the protein "darcin". "Although darcin is species-specific, similar pheromones that stimulate learning of an individual's scent could even underlie some complex, inividual-specific responses of humans" said Jane Hurst, one of the researchers from the University of Liverpool.

2. AUSTEN-INSPIRED ANTHOLOGY

Many leading Austen authors have been invited to contribute to an asuten-inspired anthology of short stories to be published by Random House in 2011. The collection will include about 20 works inspired by Jane's writings. The writers include Carrie Bebris (author of the Mr & Mrs Darcy Mysteries series), Maggie Sullivan (AustenBlog.com and The Jane Austen Handbook) and  Jane Odiwe (Lydia Bennet's Story and Willoughby's Return) among others.

3. WHAT IS DARCY MAC FADYEN  UP TO?

After receiving much appraisal for his performance as Prior Philip in The Pillars of the Earth ( I still have to watch it!), Matthew MacFadyen is going to start shooting THE PROMISED LAND next fall in Palestine. In the cast, curiously enough, the other Mr Darcy (for many fans the only Mr Darcy), Colin Firth. He will also be Athos soon, in a new adaptation of THE THREE MUSKETEERS with Logan Lerman as D'Artagnan and Orlando Bloom as the Duke of Buckingham. Both movies should come out in 2011.

4. GIVEAWAY WINNER

As promised, I have to announce the name of the winner of an autographed copy of CHARLOTTE COLLINS by Jennifer Becton. Have you read Jennifer's presentation of her novel on Fly High?  (HERE) 

I must thank her for her kindness and availability and wish her a great success with this publication. Now, to the name of the lucky winner!

LUA!!!

Congratulations, Lua! Thanks for taking part in our giveaway. You'll soon receive a signed copy of Charlotte Collins. Enjoy reading it! For all the others, Jennifer's novel will be available from today September 1st at http://www.jenniferbecton.com/ and through http://www.amazon.com/ as both a paperback  and an e-book. Read the prologue here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/36261956/Charlotte-Collins-Prologue.