LIVING WITH JANE AUSTEN: A CONVERSATION WITH JANET TODD

 

On the occasion of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, internationally renowned novelist and scholar Janet Todd offers readers a unique gift: a book that blends personal memoir with a deep and thoughtful engagement with Austen’s timeless works. In this intimate and insightful volume, Todd reflects on how Austen’s novels have guided her through different phases of her life, offering lessons on patience, humour, beauty, and the meaning of home.

With a distinguished career that spans feminist literary scholarship and acclaimed fiction, Janet Todd is one of the foremost voices in Austen studies. Her latest work not only highlights Austen’s relevance in today’s world but also reveals how living with Austen’s characters and stories can shape our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings.

In this interview, Janet Todd shares her inspiration, her personal connection to Jane Austen, and why Austen’s wisdom remains as powerful today as it was over two centuries ago.

A YEAR IN JANE AUSTEN'S WORLD: AN INTERVIEW WITH SOPHIE REYNOLDS OF THE JANE AUSTEN'S HOUSE

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth—a milestone that invites us to reflect on her enduring legacy and the world that shaped her genius. As we celebrate this special year, a stunning new book offers a fresh and intimate perspective on Austen’s life. A Jane Austen Year takes us on a journey through the seasons, weaving together letters, objects, and manuscripts from Jane Austen’s House—the beloved Hampshire cottage where she lived and wrote some of her most cherished novels.

I’m delighted to welcome Sophie Reynolds, the curator of Jane Austen’s House, and the mind behind this beautifully illustrated volume, to My Jane Austen Book Club. In our conversation, we discuss the treasures of Austen’s home, the inspiration behind the book’s unique structure, and the remarkable moments that shaped the author’s life. Join us as we step into Austen’s world, one season at a time, in this very special anniversary year.

THE MYSTERIES OF PENDOWAR HALL: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR SYRIE JAMES

 

At My Jane Austen Book Club, we celebrate not just Jane Austen, but the timeless appeal of classic literature and the authors who bring that spirit to life in fresh, compelling ways. My guest today, Syrie James, is no stranger to our readers — her brilliant The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë have captivated many of us. Now, with The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall, the first book in her new Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire series, Syrie masterfully channels the Gothic essence of the Brontës while delivering a thrilling historical romance and mystery. It’s a pleasure to welcome her back to discuss her latest novel, her love for classic literature, and the connections between Austen, Brontë, and the elements of storytelling that continue to intrigue us today.

AUTHOR GUEST POST: AMANDA KAI, LOVE IN JANE AUSTEN'S BOOKS. NEW RELEASE, EXCERPT, GAME & GIVEAWAY.

 

Thank you, Maria Grazia, for inviting me to come back to My Jane Austen Book Club this month in time to celebrate the month of love with my Valentine’s Day release, The Pleasure of Remembrance!

February is the perfect time to talk about love in Jane Austen’s books, because all of them contain beautiful love stories that have withstood the test of time and continue to capture our hearts and inspire new retellings and variations daily.

My favorite of all is the enemies-to-lovers romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. There’s something so captivating about their characters and the misunderstandings they develop before coming to realize that they are a perfect fit for each other.

Although love is the heartbeat of all the Austen stories, it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Unexpected Love—Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet

WHY WE READ (OR WRITE ABOUT) JANE AUSTEN

 

Yours Truly is honoured to have been invited to share thoughts on why we continue to read and write about Jane Austen. My heartfelt thanks to Christina Boyd for featuring my piece on her website and for including me among her wonderful monthly guest contributors in this delightful series.

If you’ve ever wondered why Jane Austen has captivated me for so long—and why I’ve been blogging about her all these years—please join me over on Christina’s Quill Ink to read more.

You can read my piece HERE

SUDDEN AWAKENING BOOK TOUR: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AMANDA KAI & GIVEAWAY

 

Interview with Amanda Kai

Hello Amanda and welcome back to My Jane Austen Book Club. Congratulation on your new release, Sudden Awakenings. It brings a fresh twist to Pride and Prejudice by introducing Elizabeth Bennet's struggle with sleepwalking. What inspired you to incorporate this unique aspect into her character, and how do you think it influences her relationship with Mr. Darcy?

Well, originally, I planned to write a compromise scenario based on the scene from the end of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie, where Elizabeth walks out into the field in her nightgown and Mr. Darcy meets her there in a state of half-dress and they are witnessed by some gossipping neighbor.

However, I struggled to conceive a realistic reason for why these otherwise upstanding people would suffer from such a gross lack of propriety (even in the movie, it is a stretch, but I forgive it, just because I love it so darn much!)

MURDER IN HIGHBURY, VANESSA KELLY TAKES US BACK TO THE WORLD OF JANE AUSTEN'S EMMA

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content with her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health. But the cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps and the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . . As a chilling murder mystery unfolds and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions fall on a harmless local, Emma decides to discreetly investigate. Armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections, she will protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

Check the book at Amazon.com

JAYNE BAMBER, JUST BETWEEN US: AUTHOR GUEST POST, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY.

 

Hello, readers! It's a treat to be back at My Jane Austen Book Club to share about my newest release. My eleventh novel, ‘Just Between Us’ is available for pre-order, and at the end of this post I’ll be sharing an excerpt from this Pride & Prejudice retelling….

 Jane Austen once said, “My characters shall have, after a little trouble, all that they desire.” I give the Bennet sisters more than just a little trouble. Kitty has a minor heartbreak when her unrequited crush marries another, while Lizzy and Darcy have a whirlwind courtship but are separated for two years, and Jane gets her man but at a very steep cost. 

NEW RELEASE: ONCE HE MADE A BEGINNING BY P.O. DIXON

 

From the Author

 Thank you, Maria Grazia, for the wonderful opportunity to visit My Jane Austen Book Club. I’m excited to share an excerpt from my newest release, Once He Made a Beginning, and connect with fellow historical romance enthusiasts.

For those unfamiliar with my work, I love reimagining Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, crafting new and captivating adventures for Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. With nearly fifty titles in my growing catalog, I’m always eager to explore fresh narratives that stay true to the heart of these beloved characters.

BLOG TOUR: THE LAKE HOUSE AT RAMSGATE. GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY

 

In 1812, Elizabeth Bennet, eager for her first visit to the seaside, accompanies her beloved sister Jane and her new brother, Charles Bingley, to Ramsgate. Their retreat, the Lake House, offers an ideal location for Mrs. Bingley, whose delicate condition requires rest and care by the sea.

BOOK TOUR - TALKING ABOUT MR BINGLEY JUST AS A GENTLEMAN OUGHT TO BE WITH AUTHOR BRANDON DRAGAN

 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

For centuries Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride & Prejudice, has been dearly loved the world over. However, few people know the truth about Mr. Darcy's closest friend, the affable Mr. Bingley–who is much more than he appears on first impression. 

Mr. Bingley: Just as a Gentleman Ought to Be is the previously untold story of a young man who unwittingly uncovers an evil cabal among the British Empire's aristocracy. Bingley confronts an enterprise so nefarious that he cannot help but act to redress it, even if it costs him his own reputation and the love of his life, the angelic Miss Jane Bennet.

CRIME & CULPABILITY: A JANE AUSTEN MYSTERY ANTHOLOGY

 

Hello and happy Sunday, dear readers! Today I'd like to invite you to step into a world where Regency elegance meets thrilling intrigue! In this upcoming release, Crime & Culpability: A Jane Austen Mystery Anthology, some of your favorite Austen characters find themselves entangled in captivating mysteries, with clues hidden beneath the surface of every story. Whether it’s Darcy investigating a murder or Emma Woodhouse solving an art heist, each tale invites you to join the sleuths and unravel the secrets within. Ready to discover how Austen’s timeless charm blends seamlessly with a dash of mystery? Scroll down and dive into this unique anthology where the game is afoot! MG x

JANE AUSTEN RETURNS TO THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY'S MAIN STAGE WITH SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

 

Why Does Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility Continue to Captivate Audiences?

Long before Bridgerton enchanted our screens, a young writer named Jane Austen was already setting hearts ablaze across England. Her timeless tales of love, societal expectations, and sisterhood continue to resonate today, and now, fans of Austen’s work have a new reason to rejoice.

What’s Happening at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey?

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is bringing Austen’s beloved novel Sense and Sensibility to life with a stage adaptation by the acclaimed Jessica Swale. This production promises to overflow with humor, style, and the unmistakable wit of Austen herself.

BACK TO THE SHORES OF SANDITON WITH A NEWLY RELEASED COLLECTION OF STORIES BY CAROLINE MALCOM BOULTON

The Shores of Sanditon: A Must-Read for All Jane Austen and Sanditon Fans

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen and the mesmerizing world of Sanditon, you won’t want to miss The Shores of Sanditon by Caroline Malcom Boulton, a newly published collection of 24 short stories that beautifully blend the timeless charm of Austen’s characters with the creative vision of modern storytellers. Released in 2024 through Amazon KDP, this book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Charlotte Heywood, Alexander Colbourne and other beloved characters from the Sanditon television series, expanding their stories in ways that are sure to captivate your heart.

THWARTED, A NEW AUSTENESQUE DELIGHT BY MJ STRATTON. EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY.

 

Dear Janeites,

Prepare yourselves for a new journey into the heart of Regency England with MJ Stratton's latest release, Thwarted. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if Mr. Darcy faced an insurmountable obstacle in his pursuit of love, this novel is sure to delight and intrigue you.

MJ Stratton, a devoted aficionado of all things Austen, brings us a fresh and imaginative tale that seamlessly intertwines the beloved world of Pride and Prejudice with a tantalizing new twist.

A VERSATILE, RESONANT STORYTELLER: BENJAMIN FIFE

 

Today I’m very glad to feature an exclusive interview with Benjamin Fife, a seasoned narrator whose captivating voice brings literature to life. He started his career in the world of narration from a young age, honing his skills through dramatic readings and exploring a diverse range of genres. Today, he is best known for his narration of Maria Grace's Jane Austen’s Dragons series and is celebrated for his versatility in tackling everything from Fantasy to Health and beyond.

Get ready for an insightful conversation with a narrator who has mastered the delicate dance of bringing words to life through the power of the spoken voice. 

Maria Grace on My Jane Austen Book Club

IN CONVERSATION WITH DON JACOBSON: DISCOVERING 'IN WESTMINSTER'S HALLS'

IN WESTMINSTER’S HALLS: DARCY’S ABOLITIONIST ROMANCE

 

What inspired you to set the characters of Pride and Prejudice against the backdrop of the British abolitionist movement?

I am one of those oddities: my favorite Austen book is Mansfield Park, at least when it comes to dealing with the social questions of Austen’s time. However, while I liked the thematics either overt or implied, in the book, I found the characters to be rather pale. However, that’s where P&P came in…Darcy and Elizabeth are dynamic. I also wanted to see how Mr. Bennet would act when principle forced him from his library. 

BRIGID HUEY, LEARNING TO LOVE: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND LITTLE WOMEN CROSSOVER!

 

Thank you for having me at My Jane Austen Book Club! I am so happy to be here to share my upcoming novel. Learning to Love is a Pride and Prejudice and Little Women crossover! In it, Amy and Laurie keep up a lively correspondence and grow closer through their letters.

We all know how digitized our world has become. I’m always texting, emailing, scrolling. As a writer, I used to write all my stories in notebooks. But I transitioned my writing from pen and paper to my laptop a few years ago. It’s more efficient (no more typing out what I’ve written) and I can type faster than I can write by hand.

NEW RELEASE! SOMETHING ABOUT LIZZY BY ROBIN ELIZABETH KOBAYASHI

 

 

Thank you, Maria Grazia, for inviting me to guest blog today. For many years I’ve wondered what it would be like to be friends with the lively, witty, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, even after her marriage to Mr. Darcy, when she is a mother and the mistress of Pemberley. We know from Jane Austen’s novels and letters just how challenging and frustrating it was to be woman in a man’s world during the nineteenth century. My new novella, Something About Lizzy: Family Secrets Post-Pride and Prejudice, is my ode to Elizabeth Darcy née Bennet—her emotional journey as a married woman, her love and relationships and secrets.

Leah Page Answers Questions About Her New Book, Georgiana Darcy’s Magical Meddling

In her new lovely novel, Georgiana Darcy’s Magical Meddling, Leah Page weaves a delightful tale where the classic world of Jane Austen meets the charm of witchcraft. Georgiana Darcy, newly aware of her magical abilities, uses her powers to assist her brother Fitzwilliam Darcy in his quest for true love. With a mix of humor, heart, and a dash of magic, Page crafts a narrative that offers fresh insights into the beloved characters of Pride and Prejudice.