There are eighty-seven instances of the word “bed” in Jane Austen’s writing, and eleven more if you include the plural. Readers may well pass over the word without giving it much thought, (except perhaps for the passage in Northanger Abbey when Mr. Tilney speaks to Catherine of her inevitable “unconquerable horror of the bed,”) but…
Harpists in Austen’s Books
As some of you may remember from my previous post a few months back, I play the harp. I always think it’s fun when I find harpist characters in the books I’m reading. So, this month, I thought it would be fun to take a peek at all the harpists that are in Jane Austen’s…
To Prologue or Not to Prologue
Here’s an excerpt from my current work-in-progress, Simply Beautiful (working title). I cannot decide if it’s the opening chapter or the prologue. I’m leaning toward the latter. Enjoy! Excerpt (First Draft) Mr. Thomas Bennet raked his fingers through his hair, and a dark strand flopped onto his brow. He caught it with his other hand…
Auctioning Off Household Goods in the Regency Era
The Georgian era of which the Regency is a part saw greater economic prosperity for new groups, hoping to become a part of the genteel class. Think of Mr. Bingley in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Although he had a larger income than Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s clergyman; theoretically, Collins, who depended upon…
The Death of a Monarch and a Flashback to the Regency: On Queen Elizabeth II and King George III
Today in Edinburgh I shall pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth II before her casket continues her journey down to London, where her funeral is due to take place next Monday. It’s a sobering time here in the United Kingdom: the Queen was such a stable presence in our lives that many forgot she was also…
A Happy Compromise and a Giveaway
After four months of writing, I have finally finished my work-in-progress and given it a title! I’m pretty excited to finally be done. <3 This story was written in fits and starts and shared exclusively with my Patreon patrons. By the time this post goes live, all of those folks will have received their reward…
Announcing the Prizes for the 2022 Autumn Quarter Giveaway on Austen Authors
Welcome to the Austen Authors 2022 Autumn Quarter Giveaway!!!! Check out the wonderful prizes!!! Again, our authors are being quite generous. Although we welcome your comments below, to enter the giveaway, you MUST use the Rafflecopter form! The link can be found on the blog’s HOME page or by clicking HERE. Giveaway will end at midnight, EST on…
YA Persuasion Excerpt
Persuasion is everywhere lately! (And by everywhere, I mean esoteric circles and niche corners of the internet.) It has inspired me to share an excerpt from a modern, YA Persuasion that I’ve been working on. This is the scene when Anne first meets Mr. Elliot. Oh, Mr. Willoughby, Mr. Elliot, and Mr. Crawford, why am…
Apologies and An Excerpt
Hello everybody! I have to be honest: the deadline for this month’s Austen Authors blog entry came at me without warning. Well, not entirely without warning. I knew the deadline was coming, of course, but in the recent rush of family activities and challenges, the date snuck up on me. May I share what’s been…
Who Gets to Be a Lady?
Ever since my husband bought me Scottish land titles as a birthday gift last year, we have enjoyed jokingly (and sometimes not-so-jokingly) referring to each other as “my lord” and “my lady.” And while the idea of being lord and lady of the manor is extremely fun, there is something to be said about actually…
The Age of Inventions, by Cinnamon Worth
Inventions and Innovation: A recent development Sixty years ago, on September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech about the space race at Rice University. In the following portion, he reflects on the exponential growth rate with which mankind has progressed: “No man can fully grasp how far and how fast we have…
Early Trade Unions in Britain and the The Tolpuddle Martyrs, Changing the Face of Employment Rights
Although in the U.S., today we celebrate Labor Day, was there a like movement in the United Kingdom? Where? When? Its leaders? Since the 17th Century, skilled workers in Britain organized themselves in what was originally called “guilds” and later referred to as trade union. The Industrial Revolution brought on new and more complicated trade…
Tea for Two, An afternoon with Jane Austen Argentina
Jane Austen’s work encompasses a worldwide audience. Her writing has touched us, inspired us and has undoubtedly changed us. A simple search on social media will illustrate the scope and magnitude of her reach. Can you imagine taking tea with Jane? Who wouldn’t want to spend an hour with this remarkable—influential—woman, chatting about anything and…
