Author Mary Pagones is the author of eleven novels, one of which is the fabulous Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements. In this conversation, we discuss Austen's staying power, diversity in the Austenesque community, and what constitutes fanfiction. Hope you enjoy! 

Can Jane Austen's works remain relevant in the 21st century? Guest Dami Scott certainly thinks so! A writer, teacher, and social commentator, Scott makes a compelling case for breathing new life into Austen retellings. Join us as she reads from her upcoming book, Persuaded: A Sista's Modern Retelling of Persuasion, and shares her thoughts on everything from Sir Walter's snobbery to Jane Austen's relevance in the modern world. Oh, and you'll have to hear her fabulous answer to my ridiculous question at the end of the podcast. Let me know what you think! 

If you're interested in Scott's reviews and talks, check out her Facebook group, Black Girl Loves Jane, as well as her insightful talk on color-conscious casting at Jane Austen & Co. 

The music clips in this podcast episode come from Anchor's library, with the exception of my attempt to play the 1995 film Persuasion's theme song on piano around minute four. 

One of the reasons I started this podcast--one of the reasons I love reading and writing in this community--is that I've come across so many thoughtful and insightful readers. My guests today--Gina, Paige, and Wendy--epitomize those qualities. I met them online about a year ago, and since then, I've enjoyed reading their thoughts on Austen and Austenesque on Facebook and on Paige's blog, Jane Austen State of Mind. In this conversation, we discuss what readers want, the Austen characters we loathe most, Austen's portrayals of women...and so much more! Stick around for the lightening round at the end, and then leave a comment letting me know your answers to those questions! (And hey, if you give your answers in a voice message on Anchor, I'll try to play it on my next podcast!) 

Show notes: Here are some books and authors mentioned in this podcast (listed approximately in the order they were mentioned).

--Caitlin Williams, The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet

--Linda Berdoll

--Marsha Altman

--Joana Starnes, The Unthinkable Triangle

--Amy D'Orazio, A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity 

--Lucy Marin, The Recovery of FItzwilliam Darcy

--Christina  Morland, Seasons of Waiting and A Remedy Against Sin

Meredith Esparza of Austenesque Reviews has been documenting the development of Austenesque fiction for over a decade. Join us as we discuss what trends Meredith is seeing in the genre, why we both love Pride and Prejudice, and just what Meredith thought of Emma 2020! Also, who is Fezzik and what does he have to do with the Austenesque? Leave a comment about any of these topics at my web site, on Facebook, or on Anchor, and you can win one of my paperbacks! (I was inspired to offer this giveaway because Meredith reads only in paperback herself!)

Christina Boyd is the Founder of the Quill Ink and an editor of many Austenesque novels. Find out how she came to the Austenesque community, what trends she's seeing in the genre, and what she thinks of Elizabeth and Darcy in this episode of Austenesque Musings!

Also, to leave a comment about the episode at my web site for a chance to win a pack of Christina Boyd's gorgeous Regency magazine-cover post cards!

In preparation for my upcoming reading at the Works-in-Progress extravaganza, hosted by the JAFF Writer Reader Get Together, I thought I'd try reading something from one of my published works. What I discovered is that I have great admiration for professional voice actors! I certainly lack their talent. However, I do love to read aloud -- and as I'm fairly certain I will never make an audiobook version of Seasons of Waiting, I thought I'd try recording one of the chapters here. This is the third chapter, Dancing with Strangers. My apologies for all the bad pacing, mispronunciations, and other problems with this recording! Still, I hope you enjoy.  Oh, and please join me, Abigail Reynolds, Lucy Marin, Sarah Courtney, and Melanie Rachel for the WIP Extravaganza, hosted by Don Jacobson and Victoria Kincaid, on Saturday, March 13 at 1 pm ET. By Wednesday, March 10, sign up here for a Zoom link. (Best viewed on a computer: http://jaffwriterreadergettogether.org)Thanks!