Friday 20 January 2017

THE DARCY MONOLOGUES - OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT & GREAT GIVEAWAY



There are many well-known names behind today’s exciting announcement in the JAFF community and the one person at the center of it all is here today to share this news with us; the lovely Austenesque editor, Christina Boyd.

Christina, there’s a buzz going around the JAFF community that you are heading a new project and it’s a pleasure to have you visit so many Austenesque blogs today to share your big news!

Can you share with us what you’ve been working on behind-the-scenes?

Thank you for hosting and shining your light on this project. I am excited and not a little proud to announce “The Darcy Monologues”—a short story anthology with sixteen of my very favorite Austenesque writers. I doubt anyone will be surprised by my list—authors I’ve either enjoyed working with and admire their work or authors I have simply fan-girl’d over for years: Susan Adriani, Sara Angelini, Karen M. Cox, J. Marie Croft, Jan Hahn, Jenetta James, Lory Lilian, Judy-Lynne, KaraLynne Mackrory, Beau North, Ruth Phillips Oakland, Natalie Richards, Sophia Rose, Melanie Stanford, Joana Starnes, and Caitlin Williams.

Christina Boyd
Wow, that is an exciting line-up of talent!

“The Darcy Monologues” sounds like such a fitting title for this anthology. Would you share with us how it was selected as the title, especially with so many authors involved in this project?

This project is collection of stories all told from Fitzwilliam’s point-of-view—set in Regency, contemporary, as well as other eras. Because the stories are strictly from his eyes, I felt it imperative we find a title that clearly illustrated the book would be more than one tale but all from his point-of-view. In an e-mail from “The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy” author, Sara Angelini, she mentioned how she had long wanted to write a story titled “The Darcy Monologues” or something like… So, in presenting the idea to the group, other ideas were thrown about. After a quick Google search, we learned there was a short story on Derbyshire Writer’s Guild by Judy-Lynne with the same title. She had written a short story described as six “extemporaneous rants” expressed by Fitzwilliam Darcy. Not one to be a copycat, we moved on to other names. But as time passed, nothing resonated with me as much so I felt incumbent to ask Judy-Lynne if she would be offended if we used the same title. Unfortunately, she is rarely on the fanfiction sites anymore and everyone I asked claimed they did not know how to get in touch with her. Finally! Finally, I connected with her through “A Happy Assembly” and asked her about the title use, she accepted, and I asked her if she was still writing and would she be interested in writing a short for the anthology. She said she wasn’t writing but agreed to the challenge. And that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

How does this project differ from anything you’ve worked on before?

I’ve worked on two other anthologies, published in 2015 by Meryton Press: “Sun-Kissed: Effusions of Summer” and “Then Comes Winter.” Both were set-up as writing contests with a panel of judges reading and selecting the submissions. This project, I am self-publishing and have assembled my own dream team.

At this point, what can you share about your experiences working with so many talented Austenesque writers?

I feel lucky! Blessed. Not only that these talented writers have all graciously committed to this project—some having not written anything Austenesque in years—but have over a short period of time become so dear to me on a personal level.

What can readers expect from this anthology?

The authors have all committed to write a short piece from Darcy’s point-of-view, between 5000-15,000 words, and must have romance—but no scenes that I wouldn’t be able to share with my teenage daughter or eighty-year-old mother-in-law. Even with that last tenet, I am amazed how these writers can turn up the heat in a room. Have your fans handy—and even a few tissues!

It seems like we just can’t get enough of Mr. Darcy! What’s his appeal, Christina, 200 years later?

“Pride and Prejudice” is told in the third-person narrative, limited omniscient, from Elizabeth Bennet’s point-of-view. In my fiction, I have always had a weakness for the rich, powerful, noble, and handsome man who changes his ways for love, and a woman worthy of his efforts. I’ve long dreamt of putting together a collection of stories all from my favorite Austen hero’s eyes. Yes, “Pride and Prejudice” has been told before from Darcy’s point-of-view by the talented Pamela Aidan, Stanley Hurd, Amanda Grange, Janet Aylmer, and Mary Street, to name a few—but with all the amazing “Pride and Prejudice” re-imaginings out there, I wanted to read alternate stories in his own words.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today about The Darcy Monologues?

The anthology is scheduled for release May 22, 2017 and we have a few promotions planned in the coming weeks as we finish the editing process to spit and polish the collection.

Before we part, Christina, I hear you have some rather thrilling news to share with us on a personal level, which was just announced early this week. Care to divulge the details here too?

Well… I can barely believe it myself but…I won—I WON, the Omaze “Champagne Toast with Henry Cavill on the London Eye" experience! (Fundraiser to benefit the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.) You read that right. I won. I’m flying to London to meet my all-time favorite book boyfriend, the very talented British actor, Henry Cavill. I have never been to England, except layovers in Heathrow—which doesn’t count—so I feel like the French teacher who has never been to France. And here I get to go, stay in a luxury hotel, explore London, and have a champagne toast with Henry Cavill. Pinch me! And yes, if he is willing, I do hope to have him sign some swag for “The Darcy Monologue” giveaways—after all, he is my book boyfriend.


Biography

Christina Boyd wears many hats as she is an editor, a contributor to Austenprose, and a ceramicist under her own banner, Stir Crazy Mama’s Artworks. A life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Christina lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her dear Mr. B, two busy teenagers, and a retriever named BiBi. Visiting Jane Austen’s England remains on her bucket list.



Giveaway


We are giving away some really fun prizes to three lucky winners! One winner will receive a stash of gifts to enjoy with his/her own significant other. These treats include assorted British food and beverage snacks and a Mr. Darcy quote mug.

(This prize is open to a winner with a U.S. mailing address only)


Another winner will receive two stories form the anthology; a Regency story and a contemporary or alternate era short story. The winner will choose his/her prize stories based on the authors in this anthology. These stories will be distributed to the winner on March 15, 2017. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

19 comments:

KaraLynne and Andy said...

This is such a fun conglomeration of great authors - and I am thrilled to be part of it! Thanks for posting!

Melanie Stanford said...

Thanks for the announcement! I'm so excited to read all the other stories by these incredible authors!

Joana Starnes said...

Thanks for sharing Christina's great news, MG! Ever so happy to be part of this wonderful project with so many of my favourite authors!!!

dstoutholcomb said...

this sounds very exciting--congratulations!

denise

sadriani said...

MG, many thanks for sharing Christina's project with your readers. I'm thrilled to be included in such a talented group of authors and looking forward to the release in May!

Sophia Rose said...

Woohoo! Thrilled to have Darcy Monologues announced and love that you could host Christina's interview, Maria.

Cynthia said...

OH, yeah! Can't get enough of Mr. Darcy, myself!

Beau North said...

yaaay! Thanks so much for being a part of our big announcement! I can't wait until May!!!

Christina Boyd said...

Thank you for sharing your excitement of The Darcy Monologues! Super excited for so much goodwill and energy. And again, I'm still in a dreamlike fog about going to London to meet Henry Cavill!

Karen M Cox said...

Thank you Maria, for hosting the announcement. I'm so excited to be a part of this project. So many Darcys - this is going to be so much fun :)

Daniela Quadros said...

So exciting! So many great authors together! I can't wait for this book to be released! :)

Just Jane 1813 said...

Thank you, Maria, for being such a great supporter of my efforts. I can't wait until your readers get these stories into their hands. I think you'll all love them!!

J. Marie Croft (Joanne) said...

Thanks, Maria, for sharing Christina’s big announcement. I can’t wait to read what the others have written, and I’m honoured to be part of this project.
Cheers,
Joanne

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing, Maria! I am thrilled to be a part of this project, with such a lovely group of ladies. I cannot wait to read all of their stories!

Anji said...

Thanks to everyone for giving me so much fun hunting down the blogs taking part in this fantastic announcement. Who wouldn't want to read a book soley devoted to stories from the POV of our favourite romantic hero? A man who, though totally decent in essentials, just hasn't been able to show his true character outwardly but has hidden behind a shield of pride and conceit. Then he meets an amazing woman and realises that he has to change this to be worthy of her but because of their past history and although he knows that he may never receive his reward, he does it anyway.

Once again, many congratulations to all of those taking part and to Christina for both of her announcements!

Vicki H said...

Wow! What an amazing opportunity. I look forward to reading The Darcy Monologue.

bn100 said...

the premise

Christina Boyd said...

Btw. My mistake. Must excuse me as the details were a bit jumbled in all my excitement. Judy-Lynne's stories are at http://pemberley.com

Dung said...

Love the list of authors participating! Some of my favorites authors and their P&P stories and read it from Darcy's POV!