Check out the Austen '08 campaign on YouTube if you haven't seen it already. Fun!
misc.
May 19, 2008
April 03, 2008
February 20, 2008
Karen Joy Fowler interview
There's a lovely interview with Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club, over at Tina Ann Forkner's blog. She actually even mentions A Walk with Jane. (!) I was absolutely gobsmacked and thrilled when Karen took time to read my manuscript and gave us an endorsement. I can't imagine how busy she is -- the fact that she was willing to do that -- and liked it!! -- just meant so much to me. What a gift.
Wonderful interview, and I can't wait to read her new book, Wit's End. She mentions T.H. White's Once and Future King -- that's one that's been on my list to read. Have you read it?
A few snippets:
Karen Joy Fowler: (on including Grigg in her book) Austen is one of our greatest writers. Why wouldn’t a man be interested in reading her? This paradigm in which women read books by and about men, but men refuse to read books by and about women irritates me. The men I like best are not so narrow in their interests. The men I like best are the ones I put in my books.
SPV: There are many movie versions of Jane Austen’s novels. Do you think these are good substitutes for those who don’t have time to read the novels?
Karen Joy Fowler: The movies reduce the ways in which Austen can be understood, often promoting the romance over all other aspects of the books. So no, there are movie versions I quite like (and movie versions I quite loathe) but Austen is, first and foremost, about voice and narration and these are the things you immediately lose when you turn a book into a movie. I go to all the movie versions myself, but they are no substitute for the books, which make you feel as if you’ve spent some intimate time with Austen herself. (. . .)
November 13, 2007
We have a winner!
The Jane Austen Icon contest at Jane Austen Today wrapped up this weekend. Jane V. won in a tight race with her Two Mr. Darcys. She'll receive a signed copy of A Walk with Jane Austen.
Lana, whose brother helped her with Jane by
candlelight came in a close second.
It was so fun to see all the entries -- many thanks to Ms. Place for running the contest!
Bigg-Wither
I heard last week from Blair Rogers, a descendant of Harris Bigg-Wither. (Harris was a close family friend of the Austens. He proposed one night when Jane and Cassandra were visiting. She accepted, then apparently stayed up much of the night reconsidering, and withdrew her consent in the morning.) Blair said...
Personally I'm very pleased that Jane Austen had second thoughts following the proposal in 1802. If she had gone through with it - I would not be here today.
Harris Bigg-Wither is my 4th Great Grandfather and despite being declined our family hold him with respectful thoughts.
I have to say, although this story fascinates me, I think both Jane and Harris would wonder about it being talked about so many years later.
Blair runs a web site with family history info at www.bigg-wither.com.
On the West Coast
A flurry of posts today. Last week my girl Bess had a rough week -- first just not wanting to sleep at night, then sick all night, then spayed. <sigh.> She's beginning to wag her tail again.
Laurel sent me this great pic from a Barnes & Noble near Seattle -- fantastic! A Walk with Jane actually IS on the West Coast!
Also, check out Laurel's lovely new blog, Austenprose, a celebration of Austen's writing. The word for today is alloy.
November 05, 2007
Icon contest: vote for your favorites!
Vote for your favorite icon over at Jane Austen Today. You have until Monday to vote. It was very difficult to choose finalists!
November 02, 2007
Book signing: Tysons Corner, VA
Wanted to let you know about this event. If you're here in the DC area, I'd love to meet you.
What: Reading, signing and discussion
Where: Borders, Tysons Corner, VA
The store is across Route
7 from the mall -- just west of the intersection of route 7 and 495.
They have a parking garage under the store and will validate parking.
When: Tuesday, November 13, 7:30 pm
Summary: A Walk with Jane Austen traces my experiences following Austen's life through England, and tells both her life story and a bit of my own, in addition to delving into her Anglican faith. Of course, being about Austen, there's a little romance -- but there are also some deep thoughts on faith, friendship, family, and the meaning of life.
October 24, 2007
Icon contest at Jane Austen Today
Ms. Place at Jane Austen Today is giving away a copy of A Walk with Jane Austen.
The contest will be open for two weeks, and it is simple: Just send me a copy of your favorite icon of a Jane Austen movie hero or heroine. I will choose the top icons, from which you will get to vote for your favorite. Tell me the name of the actor or actress, and the movie. If you did not create the icon, please include the attribution.
More here. Some great entries already. Send in your favorite icon by November 4 for a chance to win a signed copy of the book!
(I stole this one from Bookworm.)
