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Northanger Abbey first editions

Northanger Abbey first editions

As a bibliophile of long standing, I fully agree with Sir Francis Bacon: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."

from the memoir by J. E. Austen-Leigh (1870), based on a sketch by Cassandra Austen (1810)Jane Austenbooksfan fictionscrimshaw

Miss Austen's Guide to Mincing Pease and Dues

Apr. 24, 2021 | Comments

The Princess and the Pea as told through selections from Austen's minor works, with an emphasis on the rarely glimpsed downstairs point of view.
from the memoir by J. E. Austen-Leigh (1870), based on a sketch by Cassandra Austen (1810)Jane Austenbooksfan fictionscrimshaw

Jane Austen and the Seven Deadly Sins

Apr. 17, 2021 | Comments

The story of Snow White retold from the pages of Jane Austen's works, with a challenge to incorporate alternative or rare point of view characters. I also aim for the soul of wit: brevity (results may vary).
from the memoir by J. E. Austen-Leigh (1870), based on a sketch by Cassandra Austen (1810)Jane Austenbooksfan fictionscrimshaw

An Austen Sleeping Beauty

Apr. 09, 2021 | Comments

In thanks and inspired by other fan stories, and as always the lady's own words: a fairy tale found among the works of Jane Austen. Each section of the tale is retold by the characters of a different novel or novella.
from the memoir by J. E. Austen-Leigh (1870), based on a sketch by Cassandra Austen (1810)Jane Austenbooksfan fictionscrimshaw

An Austenian Antagonist: a Song

Mar. 28, 2021 | Comments

A parody of a satiric ditty, all about the falsities of Austen's antagonists. With no apologies, but much love, to: Miss Jane Austen, Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, and Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan. Also posted on the Derbyshire Writers' Guild, Fanfiction.net, and AO3.
illustration by Hugh Thomson (1898)Northanger Abbeybooksfan fictionscrimshaw

A Lonesome Two-Step

Oct. 31, 2020 | Comments

Written for JaOctGoHoNo 2020 at the Derbyshire Writers' Guild. Partly inspired by an American folk song. During the summer of the Spanish-American War, Clementine Morse fears the worst when letters to her loved ones go unanswered.
Old Vic stage door sign, photo taken by me (2007)theatretelevisionbookshistory

4 Ways to Geek Out on July 4

Jul. 03, 2017 | Comments

If you're stuck at home or just want to find a different way to celebrate, here are four ways to geek your independence out.
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INSPY Speculative Fiction Winner 2017

Jul. 01, 2017 | Comments

The results are finally in, and the 2017 INSPY award winners are now live.
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#INSPYs 2017 Update

Apr. 22, 2017 | Comments

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be serving as a judge for the INSPY blogger book award once again. This year will mark my fourth as a judge in the speculative fiction category.
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Ninth Daughter: Abigail Adams Gets Her Due

Mar. 15, 2017 | Comments

Barbara Hamilton's novel The Ninth Daughter is a great addition to this subgenre, with the introduction of a series based around one of our most famous Founding Mothers: Abigail Adams.
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#INSPYs 2017

Jan. 06, 2017 | Comments

This year marks a change for the awards organization (must be something about 2017, changes all around).

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