From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:
Happy Monday dear readers! It is a special day for me. Ten years ago on October 11, 2011 my short story anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It was published by Ballantine Books. I can’t believe how the years have flown by.
The collection includes 22 original short stories and reading group material from bestselling authors Jo Beverley, Syrie James, Adriani Trigiani, and Lauren Willig; top Austen sequel writers Stephanie Barron, Pamela Aidan, Elizabeth Aston, Amanda Grange, Alexandra Potter, and Laurie Viera Rigler; mother and daughter (Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway) and husband and wife (Frank Delaney and Diane Meier) teams; and a brand new voice in Austenesque fiction—Brenna Aubrey, the Grand Prize winner of the anthology’s short story contest.
PRAISE
- “An Austenesque box of bonbons,”— The Seattle Times
- “…this anthology is bang on the money.”— Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine
- “Jane Austen Made Me Do It is the rare short-story compilation in which each and every one of the twenty-two stories manages to shine. Each contains a new take on Austen, a new concept of what Austen hoped to do with her life and work or even a new take on modern romance from Austen’s viewpoint.”— Romance Junkies
I am happy to share that as editor it was a joy to select and work with the authors and a bucket list moment for me to have a book launch party at Barnes & Noble. I am so proud that it remains the best-selling Austen-inspired short story anthology in print, due in part to a whole new generation of readers.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
“My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen—her novels, her life, her wit, her world.
In Lauren Willig’s “A Night at Northanger,” a young woman who doesn’t believe in ghosts meets a familiar specter at the infamous abbey; Jane Odiwe’s “Waiting” captures the exquisite uncertainty of Persuasion’s Wentworth and Anne as they await her family’s approval of their betrothal; Adriana Trigiani’s “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” imagines a modern-day Austen giving her niece advice upon her engagement; in Diana Birchall’s “Jane Austen’s Cat,” our beloved Jane tells her nieces “cat tales” based on her novels; Laurie Viera Rigler’s “Intolerable Stupidity” finds Mr. Darcy bringing charges against all the writers of Pride and Prejudice sequels, spin-offs, and retellings; in Janet Mullany’s “Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” a teacher at an all-girls school invokes the Beatles to help her students understand Sense and Sensibility; and in Jo Beverley’s “Jane and the Mistletoe Kiss,” a widow doesn’t believe she’ll have a second chance at love . . . until a Miss Austen suggests otherwise.
Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors.
GIVEAWAY
In celebration of the tenth anniversary of Jane Austen Made Me Do It, I am offering a giveaway of three signed paperback copies. Just leave a comment below sharing what intrigues you about a short story collection of Austen-inspired stories, or if you have read it and would like a signed copy, please share your thoughts on your favorite stories for the benefit of those who want to know reader’s impressions. The contest is open to US residents and closes at 11:59pm PT on October 21, 2021. The winners will be drawn from the comments with this post and announced on October 22, 2021. Good luck to all.
UPDATE: GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Many thanks to all who left comments and qualified for the giveaway. Without further ado, here are the three winners.
- WYNDWHYSPYR, who left a comment on October 12, 2021
- LYNN M, who left a comment on October 11, 2021
- Eva E., who left a comment on October 17, 2021
Congratulations, ladies. I have contacted you by email. You have one week to claim you prize.
Happy reading!
Best, Laurel Ann
BOOK INFORMATION
- Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress
- Ballantine Books (October 11, 2011)
- Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook (464) pages
- ISBN: 978-0345524966
- Genre: Austenesque, Regency Romance, Contemporary Romance
ADDITIONAL INFO | ADD TO GOODREADS
Austenprose is an Amazon affiliate. Cover image & book description courtesy of Ballantine Books © 2011; text Laurel Ann Nattress © 2021, austenprose.com.
Austenprose 
I would love to win a copy! I think for me, it would be so interesting to see how other authors/fans take Austen’s spirit and share their own takes. Diving into interpretation of Austen is always a favorite discussion for me, and this would have the turn of being in fiction form!
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Thanks for visiting, George. It sounds like my anthology would be a great read for you. I hope you win a copy! Best, LA
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I read this anthology 10 years ago AND finished it in 2 days! I did have children at home at that time! This was wonderful to read. My favorite story was Darcy’s criticism of stories about him. How dare they!!
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Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing that tidbit of flattery. It makes an editor’s heart sing when they read such praise. Your favorite story was by Laurie Viera Rigler. She has a fun sense of humor. Good luck with the giveaway!
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Good writing! I am intrigued. Count me in!
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Hi Caroline, thanks for visiting. The more I re-read Austen I appreciate her genius even more. The authors in this anthology embraced her spirit and created some amazing stories. I hope you have the chance to read it. Best, LA
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I have yet to read this collection. I only have joined the Janeite fandom for a little over 2 years, and I find it incredible to see a variety of Jane Austen fan fiction out there. I’ve read some other pieces and watched almost all the adaptations, and I would be happy to win a copy to explore further. Thank you for this opportunity!
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Hi Jen, welcome to the Janeite community. An anthology such as this is a great introduction to many authors who write in this genre. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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Laurel Ann, just the title intrigues me! Let alone all the talent and perspectives involved. It would be thrilling to own a signed copy, for multiple reasons, one being that having seen the garden you’ve created, and knowing how much intention and nurturing that takes, I can believe you put the same standard of creation into this book. Congratulations! Karylee
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Hi Karylee, I think you are the first reader who equated my gardening skills to those of an editor, but you are right. I spent almost 2 years on this anthology and it received the same love and care. I am so flattered that it remains the bestselling Austen-inspired anthology after so many years. I hope that you have a chance to read it. Thanks for visiting. You made my day! Best, LA
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I am always impressed at the universal appeal of Jane Austen books to many forms of art. She continues to be a unique source of inspiration today as it was over 200 years ago.
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Hi Leonora, Austen is indeed the ultimate muse for many. We all own her so much. I continue to find new insights and nuances in her novels as I re-read them. It is amazing that she has inspired so many to write and live their lives in her spirit of liveliness and humor. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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I enjoy reading short story collections for the variety of stories they provide.
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Hi Darcy, thank you for visiting. The collection of stories in my anthology is very diverse, so you have a wide variety of Austen experiences. I hope you have a chance to read it. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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Lovely giveaway! What intrigues me about this anthology is reading the different approaches each author takes when writing a story that relates to Jane Austen in some way. I love all things Jane Austen. Unless someone writes something that belittles her (which I sincerely doubt in relation to this book), I am going to appreciate it a great deal. Looking forward to reading it and don’t know how I could have missed this when it first came out!
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Hi Cindy, I totally agree with you about different approaches to writing a story inspired by Austen. I encouraged all of the authors to let their imagination take flight. I wasn’t restrictive to their choice of novel or Austen’s life. It was a gamble to let them have free reign, but I know that they appreciated it. I hope you enjoy their creativity. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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Oh my; how’d I miss this anthology? I’m all about Jane Austin… with my given birth-name of Darcy, it is fate! Thanks for this opportunity! It amazes me that Austen inspires so many endless variations and scenarios that keep giving readers like me endless pleasures!
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Hi Darcy, indeed, your name gives you certain rights to read Austen with extra enjoyment. The Austenesque genre has really grown by leap and bounds since my anthology was published. I hope that it inspired many to read and write in the genre. I hope that you have a chance to read it. Best, LA
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Thank you for the generous giveaway. Reading these anthologies is like covering up under a quilt. You get all warm and cozy reading familiar characters and situations. If the last 19 months have taught us anything, stories with characters we love are very comforting.
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Hi Lynn, what a lovely analogy – comparing reading an anthology to being under a cozy quilt. If it is a brightly colored patchwork quilt, so much the better. I have found reading and watching movies to be a great comfort during these challenging times. I hope that you have a chance to read Jane Austen Made Me Do It under a beautiful quilt. Best, LA
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Has it really been ten years? Congrats!! I am an Austen addict so any Austen-like stories appeal to me. I would love a signed copy of your book!
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Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!
Love anthologies with short stories because you can get a lot of satisfaction from finishing one and going onto the next, and it’s a great way to find new authors.
denise
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Hi Denise, thanks for visiting and for your congratulations. I love anthologies too. They offer so much reading diversity and promise. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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Congratulations on your book anniversary 🎉 I have not read this one yet but I love anthologies because it’s always fun to see how everyone uses their view and inspiration from our dear Jane.
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Our dear Jane is an incredible muse. She has sparked so much discussion and admiration over the last 200 years. She is a constant comfort and inspiration to me. Good luck with the giveaway. Best, LA
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I remember this was one of my first Austenesque books and I was enchanted. Congrats, Laurel Ann and authors for a 10-Year Anniversary!
Please do not enter me. :)
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Thanks for your kind comments, Sophia. How flattering that my anthology was one of your first Austenesque reads. I am so glad that you continue reading and reviewing in the genre. You are a treasure. Best, LA
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I’m not commenting to win a copy of this book, I already have a very well read one, I just wanted to say that even though I generally don’t enjoy short stories I absolutely love this collection! I’ve reread many of the stories multiple times and went on to read other books by lots of the authors.
Congratulations on the 10th anniversary!!
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Happy Anniversary.
Lovely picture…I have not read this book yet but looking forward to reading these short stories. Thank you for this chance/giveaway.
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I’m not sure how I missed this one! I would love to win it and read all the goodness inside!
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Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! I read this anthology when it first came out and felt so pleased to be in an Austen-esque world again. 10 years on I have almost (almost!) finished my Austen PhD thesis, unthought of when I first read this book. I would love to win a copy to surprise an Austen loving friend in the US. Loved the Darcy story as it gave him such a recognisable voice.
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I am interested in collection works because I find it a great way to get to know a variety of authors. A collection gives the reader an opportunity to sample short stories by multiple authors in the same genre. This way the reader can identify authors they like and then pursue their larger works.
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I would absolutely LOVE to read this & add it to my library!! ❤️
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Happy anniversary!!! So many great authors!!! Have you ever thought of publishing it in Spanish?
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How wonderful!!
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My first classic book was Sense and Sensibility. It remains my favorite book of all time. After reading through the comments, I’m excited to see how other authors capture Jane’s sense of humor and biting wit. I hope I win!!
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Congratulations on 10 years. I would love a signed paperback copy.
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Congratulations on the tenth anniversary! Although I do love novels, I have started to enjoy these anthologies as I am able to pick up and read a story at leisure. I would love to have a signed copy of this book – so many wonderful writers. Thank you for this generous giveaway.
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I would love to read this book. Happy Anniversary!
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I used to check the shelves every time I visited at my local book store, in hope of finding another title by Miss Austen, fully knowing that there were no more. Your collection of stories inspired by her might be the next best thing. I will try to track your book down if I don’t win!
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I like reading short stories
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