A Novelist is Born

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

Today, I’m doing a guest post on the blog of Christian author Shelley Ring, ‘Fraidy Cat Confessions. She read “The Darcys of Pemberley” and asked me to share a bit of my story with her readers. Begin reading here and then follow the link to her site to see the rest!

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First, I should confess that I was as surprised as anyone that I turned out to be a novelist! I had a practical career, a house and husband to look after, and two sons to raise. I barely had time to read a book, let alone write one.

Then about ten years ago, I discovered Jane Austen and simply fell in love – with her beautiful stories, with the elegant period language she used, and with her witty writing style. I read and reread all her novels. I watched the movies based on them. But I kept coming back to my favorite: Pride and Prejudice– the book itself and the ’95 film adaptation with Colin Firth.

I didn’t want the story to end. The characters – the Bennets, the Darcys, the Bingleys, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Wickham – all seemed so real to me, and I wanted to spend more time in their world.  I wondered what would come next for them. Would Elizabeth and Darcy really live happily ever after? Did Georgiana have romance waiting for her? What trouble would that wicked Wickham get into next? Would bossy Lady Catherine ever get her comeuppance?

With questions like these rolling around in my mind, I simply sat down at the computer one day and began to type. I had no idea if I could write a novel, but I decided… (continue here)

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest.  (Mansfield Park, chapter 48)

Posted in Jane Austen, Jane Austen Quotes, my books, Shannon Winslow, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nothing Ventured; Nothing Gained

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

You’ll have to excuse me, but I’m feeling rather philosophical this morning:

It’s the things/people we care about most that have the power to give us joy and also cause us pain. I know this isn’t an original thought. But it’s been on my mind recently, and I think it bears repeating. Certainly none of us gets through life without learning the truth of it. Examples are all around us. The dream of true love might last a lifetime or turn into a true nightmare if the relationship ends badly. The prosperous career may bring satisfaction and financial reward or may crash and burn when the economy suddenly goes south. The cause we’ve poured our life’s blood into may succeed gloriously or fail just as spectacularly.

When my husband and I were first married and discussing whether or not we should have kids, I remember saying that children would probably be our biggest sources of joy as well as our biggest heartaches. Parenthood, I figured, would be worth all the sweat and tears if the kids turned out well. But even if we did everything right, which wasn’t likely, things could still go horribly wrong. There were no guarantees. (In case you’re wondering how things turned out, we have two sons, all grown up, and we’re very proud of both of them!)

The problem is there’s no joy without emotional commitment. That’s just how we’re wired. Yet the more we care, the more we risk being hurt. The same paradox applies to all emotionally risky ventures. It may seem safer not to get involved, not to lay our hearts on the line, especially after having been hurt before. Yet that would be to opt out of the best life has to offer. I know I’m supposed to be quoting Jane Austen, but what comes to mind here are the words of the Bette Middler song, The Rose: “It is those afraid of dying who never learn to live.”

I don’t consider myself a very brave person, but I do venture out on a limb occasionally. That’s where the fruit is, after all. Right?

For the last several years, I’ve been pouring my heart and energy into my writing career.  It’s been a true gift to have something new and interesting going on in my life at this stage, and I’m very thankful for it. It certainly would have been safer to stay in my comfort zone – maybe dabble a little, but not attempt publication. Instead, I went all in. Yes, there are moments when I wonder if it’s worth it. But oh! What I would have missed if I hadn’t tried!

They had a rich reward in store, for every present inconvenience. (Sense and Sensibility, chapter 43)

See related posts Making Connections (on big rewards) and The Honeymoon is Over! (on the risks).

As for Jane Austen, her “safe” choice would have been to marry wealthy Harris Bigg Wither when she had the chance. She would have been financially secure and the mistress of a great estate. Instead she turned him down for the riskier but potentially more rewarding future of remaining single and true to her belief (as expressed in a letter to her niece Fanny) that, “Anything is to be preferred or endured rather than marrying without affection.” We are glad that she made that choice. And as far as we know, she was also.

 

What risky ventures have you undertaken? And what were the results? Is there something new you’re thinking of trying?

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Mr. C. Kindly Cautions Mr. B.

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Shannon Winslow
Over at Austen Authors, we continue to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice by working our way through the story in “real-time,” adding “missing scenes” and different points of view for fun. Here’s my latest contribution to the P&P200 project, with a bonus – a special introduction only for readers of my own personal blog!
 
We’re far along in the story now. Jane and Mr. Bingley are finally engaged, which brings on rumors of another possible alliance – one between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. If you’re following along, this first portion would fit in between chapters 55 & 56, and the second section should be inserted in the middle of chapter 56.
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“Oh, Mr. Collins!” exclaimed his wife immediately upon regaining the privacy of the parsonage. “What were you thinking of? Do you not see what an ill-judged thing you have done in spreading rumors about dear Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to Lady Catherine! You might just as well have poked a hornet’s nest with a stick for the commotion you have stirred up.”

“My dear Charlotte,” Mr. Collins responded with a patronizing shake of his head, “I am surprised at you. Did you not tell me months ago that you yourself suspected some partiality on Mr. Darcy’s side?”

“Yes, I told you, but I had no intention that it should ever reach the old lady’s ears.”

“Please, my dear! Kindly remember that it is to that great lady’s bounty and beneficence we owe all the comforts we currently enjoy, and hence to her we also owe a debt of perpetual loyalty. With your suspicions now supported by your family’s information, how could I in good conscience withhold them from my noble patroness?”

“And what of your cousin Elizabeth? Does she not have an equal claim to your loyalty and consideration?”

“Hmm, yes, there is something to what you say, my dear. And I see no reason that my own relations should not also be given benefit of my help. I shall write to warn Mr. Bennet of her ladyship’s reaction to the news I supplied. Yes, yes, that is what I must do. I shall just drop a little hint to him about how to direct his daughter. I trust Cousin Elizabeth has learnt her lesson and will be more inclined to follow her good parent’s sensible advice than the last time she had an offer of marriage before her.”

“But my dear…” Charlotte’s words were lost on her husband, who was already well down the passageway to his book room by the time he completed his speech. There, he settled himself behind his desk, collected the necessary writing materials, and undertook his solemn mission.

But how to begin? That was the ticklish bit. It would be boorish to plunge directly into dispensing advice, however well intended, with no preamble. Mr. Collins flattered himself that he had far too much delicacy to do that. Better to start off with something more complimentary – perhaps a word of congratulations on the approaching nuptials of Mr. Bennet’s eldest daughter. That would serve very well. Then would come the hint for Cousin Elizabeth, and lastly his own happy news.

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Mr. Bennet reposed in his library after breakfast, his feet propped up on a stool and a highly enjoyable book before his nose. With the most troublesome of his daughters permanently gone from the house and the most angelic one advantageously engaged, he had little left to wish for but that the peace of his household might last. He did not expect it to, however. Just as the little tyrant across the channel could not seem to behave himself for long, so too his own wife and at least one of his offspring were bound to soon involve him in another round of hostilities.
 
But the interruption that particular morning came from an entirely different source, and one not at all unwelcome. It was a letter – a letter from his cousin Mr. Collins.In the months since the renewal of their acquaintance, Mr. Bennet had come to regard Mr. Collins’s correspondence as a priceless source of amusement. He would by no means have given up the association on any grounds less consequential than the impediment that death itself would have constituted.
 
So Mr. Bennet tossed his book aside; the newly arrived missive promised the finer entertainment. He was not disappointed. The absurdity of the letter’s style – all affected humility and artificially formal language – was just what Mr. Bennet had come to expect. But the content was far beyond anything he had imagined.
 
It began predictably enough with an extravagant discourse in congratulation of the approaching nuptials of Mr. Bennet’s eldest daughter.…
 
You may be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs. Collins and I send our very sincere felicitations to my cousin Jane and to you, her honored parent. What a triumph for you all – especially after that most regrettable affair with your youngest daughter – that your fortunes are so quickly on the rise again. I must confess that it has astonished me exceedingly. The thing speaks in credit to Mr. Bingley, I suppose, that he is so generous as to overlook what many certainly could not have – that is, your family’s fatally tainted circumstances. He must be a gentleman of true worth, as well as being one of greater consequence than my cousin had any cause to hope for. I am sure you are all to be heartily congratulated on forming such a favorable alliance.  
 
From these flattering and solicitous remarks, Mr. Collins moved on to his real purpose for writing, and to what was for Mr. Bennet the truly diverting portion of the letter. It seemed that the pompous clergyman had got it into his head that Mr. Darcy was violently in love with Elizabeth and meant to make her an offer.
 
“Oh, this is admirable!” Mr. Bennet told himself, laughing aloud after reading this delightful passage. “Mr. Darcy, of all men!”
 
 

Had Mr. Collins canvassed the whole world, he could not have hit upon a more ridiculous notion and a less plausible suitor for Mr. Bennet’s favorite daughter. That Lizzy should be the romantic object of that proud, disagreeable man stretched the limits of credulity. Lizzy, who had been so outspoken in her pointed dislike of the man! Surely her true sentiments could not have escaped anybody’s notice. Regardless of his high opinion of himself, Mr. Darcy could not be such a fool as to contemplate approaching her.

Mr. Bennet chuckled as he pictured the scene that might ensue if the man ever tried. No doubt his high-spirited daughter would make quick work of poor Mr. Darcy. She would probably hiss like an incensed feline at his first avowal of affection, and threaten to scratch his eyes out if he ventured anywhere nearer the question than that. It would certainly be a sight to behold, one Mr. Bennet would give a tidy sum to witness for himself.

The rest of the letter was pure Mr. Collins – his obsequious attentions to Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s opinions in the matter (she disapproved, not surprisingly), his not-so-subtle hints of what was due that lady’s opinion, and his intended kindness in warning the Bennets against crossing her. Then there was the bit about Charlotte’s interesting situation, the expected young “olive-branch,” which struck Mr. Bennet as being in poor taste to mention.

Finally Mr. Bennet could no longer keep these overpowering temptations to mirth for himself alone, not when his daughter would likewise appreciate the absurdities involved. Leaving the sanctuary of his library, Mr. Bennet ran straight into the person he sought.

“Lizzy,” said he, “I was going to look for you; come into my room.” She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held.  

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The Book Fest Award Goes To…

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

Shannon Winslow, Jenni James, Laurel Ann Nattress, Susan Mason-Milks

Many of you know I spent last weekend at the Northwest Book Festival near Seattle, where I shared a booth with 3 other Austenesque authors – Susan Mason-Milks (Mr. Darcy’s Proposal), Jenni James (Pride and Popularity, etc.) and Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose (Jane Austen Made Me Do It). As you would expect, we sold some books and talked to lots of people about Jane Austen. What you might not expect is just how rowdy four Austen author/fanatics can be when they get together for a weekend. It’s been a long time since I laughed so much or so continuously.

If the organizers of the event were giving an award for the noisiest booth at the festival (which they apparently weren’t), we would have won. I’m sure the people set up back-to-back with us wondered what was going on on the other side of that canvas wall. The folks directly to the side and across from us had front row seats for our collective antics.

So I’ve told you what award(s) the four of us deserve: Noisiest Booth, and Laughing-Out-Loudest Group of Authors. Now, I’d like to give out a few awards of my own.

Susan with our Mr. Darcy

The Star of the Show: Mr. Darcy, hands down, in the form of a life-size poster of Colin Firth decked out in Regency costume and wearing a sly smile. It was fun to watch the expressions when women strolling by first caught sight of him in all his splendor. Then the giggling and blushing commenced when we offered to take their pictures with him. “Oh, no. I couldn’t!” “Of course you could! We’ve all done it. It’ll be fun.” “Well, (sideways glance to check for witnesses) You’re right. I’d love to!” Another satisfied customer.

Most Surprising Counterpoint: We often make the mistake of thinking Austen is just for women, and I’ve been known to ask, “Are you a Jane Austen kind of girl?” as people pass by. But Jane has a lot of male fans as well – discriminating men of exceptional taste and judgement, I might add. One such gentleman was seated in the booth directly across from us, although we didn’t know it. After a day and a half of putting up with our noise and the endless hoop-la over Mr. Darcy, he came over to us wearing a serious expression. “If I ask you very politely…” he began (and we all thought the rest of his sentence was going to be a request that we tone it down) “…could I have my picture taken with Jane Austen?” The Mr. Darcy’s poster had to take a back seat for a minute whilst Jane’s poster moved front and center.

Chris Hornbecker, Time Magazine photographer

Most Interesting Visitor: Chris Hornbecker, photographer for Time magazine. He was there to take pictures of some of the more famous authors presenting workshops at the event, but his instructions were to also get a few shots of “local color.” Figuring that we qualified, someone, who shall remain nameless (but her initials are LAN), chased the guy down to take our picture. He was very gracious and did so, like the pro that he is, then he stayed to talk with us about our publishing efforts and his own aspirations. Very cool!

Most Awkward Moment: I was explaining to a potential customer that the lovely books before her were all in some way inspired or related to Jane Austen’s novels. She aloofly replied that she only reads the classics – Dickens, Faulkner, Austen herself – and wasn’t interested in such “knock-offs.” Ouch! But we all laughed about it later, deciding it was her loss!

Most Rewarding Moment: When a sweet adolescent girl, who had bought one of Jenni James’s books (YA contemporary retellings of JA novels), came back and bought the other two. She had begun reading the first and was already hooked! Lovely to see the next generation so successfully introduced to our favorite author Jane Austen. It reminded me of a similar experience I had just after The Darcys of Pemberley came out. A very excited teenage girl bought a copy from me at a show and then later returned to buy two more as gifts for friends! Runner Up in this category goes to a lady who happened into our booth, saying she had already read and enjoyed my first book (and Susan’s as well)! It’s always a thrill to hear from happy readers!

Best Deadpan Delivery: After Jenni James had just finished assuring a nice lady that nobody dies in any of her books, I told the woman that I couldn’t say the same about mine. “In fact,” I confessed, “I killed Mr. Collins off in the first chapter of  The Darcys of Pemberley.” She touched my arm, looked me straight in the eye, and simply said, “Thank you.” No problem; it’s all part of the service.

Famous author displaying her books and cover art painting

I’m already looking forward to next year’s book fest. Even book sales aside, it was one of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve spent in a long time – bonding with my fellow Austenesque authors (by secret rituals too embarassing to divulge here) and talking Jane Austen to anybody who would listen.

They met for the sake of eating, drinking, and laughing together, playing at cards, or consequences, or any other game that was sufficiently noisy. (Sense and Sensibility, chapter 23)

Now, take a mini blog tour about the Northwest Book Fest by visiting each of my cohorts at their sites: Susan Mason-Milks, Jenni James, and Laurel Ann Nattress at Austenprose. Read their posts and see if their books would be perfect for you or someone you know. Christmas is coming, and it’s never too early to start your shopping!

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Four Days in Paradise

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

First, a reminder that I will present at the Northwest BookFest this weekend (Sept. 22 & 23). If you’re going to be in the Seattle area, I would love to have you stop by and visit me and 3 others in the “Austenesque Authors” tent.  (details here)

Now, here’s my new post, written for Austen Authors:

A couple of months ago, my friend Susan Mason-Milks did a lovely ambassador-for-the-Pacific-Northwest post here about Seattle, her home town and mine… sort of. I actually live in the countryside considerably south of the city, in the next county in fact. And whereas King County boasts Seattle and the Space Needle, Pierce County has an even bigger claim to fame, all 14,410 feet of it: Mt. Rainier, and I’m staking bragging rights to it.

Family responsibilities kept me and my husband pretty close to home this summer, but fortunately we have a little slice of heaven – an amazing national park – practically in our backyard. So, two weeks ago, we finally managed to sneak off for a few days to our favorite destination. We hooked up the camp trailer and headed for “the mountain,” as everyone around here simply calls it. No phones. No internet. No job to go to. I took my laptop along so I could do some writing (current work-in-progress: Return to Longbourn), but the main point of the expedition was to get away from it all and enjoy the great outdoors – a mental health holiday.

“I shall soon be rested,” said Fanny; “to sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment.” Mansfield Park

As many times as I’ve been to Mt.Rainier, it still possesses the power to awe me… (continue reading here at Austen Authors)

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Welcome Bibliophiles!

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

Northwest Bookfest 2012

Books! Books! And More Books!

Did your heart skip a beat? Are you hyperventilating? Salivating like one of Pavlov’s dogs? Then you are a true bibliophile like me, Jane Austen, and her creation Marianne Dashwood.

“What a happy day for booksellers, music-sellers, and print-shops! …and as for Marianne, I know her greatness of soul, there would not be music enough in London to content her. And Books! – Thomson, Cowper, Scott – she would buy them all over and over again: she would buy up every copy, I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands; and she would have every book that tells her how to admire an old twisted tree.” (Edward, Sense and Sensibility, chapter 17) 

I don’t recall anything in my books about admiring a twisted tree, but I can’t help hoping there will be a few “Mariannes” at the Northwest Book Fest next weekend. What a “happy day” that will be for me and my fellow booksellers!

Even if you aren’t as fanatical as Marianne, I hope you will stop by for a visit if you’re in the Seattle area. I’ll be there Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 22 &23) in a booth with three other Austenesque authors (Laurel Ann Nattress, Susan Mason-Milks, and Jenni James). We would LOVE to chat with fellow Janeites and autograph a few books (new purchases or bring one you already own).

For more information, go to the Northwest Book Fest site, and be sure to read Laurel Ann’s post at Austenprose.

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Summer: It’s All Washed Away Except the Mouse Fur

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

Mt. Rainier at Paradise

For those of you living in parts of the country oppressed by heat waves and wild fires this year, I’m sure summer can’t be over soon enough to suit you. But in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the season is short (typically July 5 through early September) and therefore, precious.

My husband and I took advantage of this last gasp of summer to head to Mt. Rainier National Park – just a couple of hours down the road from us – to spend a few delightful days of hiking, camping, and generally communing with nature. The weather was perfect. The wildflowers were out. Do you see why this place is called Paradise?

She had the unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the summer… No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my dear, dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight! What  felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh, what hours of transport we shall spend?” (Pride and Prejudice, chapter 27) 

Tatoosh Range from Paradise

Like Elizabeth, we looked forward to getting away from the stress of daily life, to recharge our batteries and glimpse again the bigger picture. A magnificent mountain looming before you by day and a universe full of stars blanketing the sky overhead at night tends to put things in clearer perspective. But I digress…

No doubt you are wondering about the odd title of this post, so here’s how the story goes:

View from Faraway Rock

Yesterday morning, we went on another hike (to the viewpoint called Faraway Rock). As usual, my “once a boy scout; always a boy scout” husband was on alert as we strode purposefully along. He was watching for wildlife, or at least wildlife sign. He alertly spotted deer tracks in the dirt. Then he explained that an overturned log we saw in an alpine meadow was proof that a bear had been there, foraging for grubs on the log’s rotten underside. Finally, he pointed to some nondescript debris on the trail.

“What?” I said, unimpressed by the small pile of gray, fuzzy matter.

“Old coyote scat. It’s all washed away except the mouse fur.”

Sign on the Trail

I was amazed. How did he know that? Oh, yeah. I guess any boy scout worth his merit badges knows coyotes frequently dine on mice, and that the indigestible fur subsequently shows up in their excrement, which any true outdoorsman would call “scat.”

I continued to think about that line as we hiked along in silence. It’s all washed away except the mouse fur. Then it struck me that it was a great analogy for the end of summer (stay with me, now), especially with the first precipitation in 50 days forecast. Soon summer would be washed away with the return of the rains, and nothing will be left of it… except the mouse fur?

Okay, I admit that part of the analogy threw me for a minute. Then I realized what the mouse fur symbolized! When we are soon sent spiraling down into the cold, harsh realities of winter once more, the only thing we will have left of our lovely summer just past is the warm, fuzzy memory of happier days. Warm and fuzzy = mouse fur. Get it?

“It’s all washed away except the mouse fur.”

“Why, it’s pure poetry!” you cry out. “Philosophically profound!”

Handsome Boy Scout on the Trail, size XL

Am I right? But remember, I can’t take all the credit. The original words of wisdom came from my darling husband. He had no idea at the time he uttered them that they would inspire me so.

Who knows? I may feature more of his sage sayings in future blog posts! Or maybe I should stick with Jane Austen. What do you think?

Posted in Jane Austen, Jane Austen Quotes, life, Mt. Rainier | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Party Favors

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

It’s usually the person having the birthday who gets the presents. But in this case, it’s some of the guests who came to the Happy Birthday to “The Darcys of Pemberley” party – so I guess we could call them party favors. I appreciate all of you who dropped by and expressed interest in my books. I hope that, whether you won one or not, you will read The Darcys of Pemberley, For Myself Alone, Mr. Collins’s Last Supper, and my future publications. It’s a delight to share my stories and especially to hear that people have enjoyed them!

Now without further ado, Here are the book winners:

  1. Alicia Fontaine
  2. John C. Pelkey
  3. Kelli H.
  4. Danielle C.
  5. Lori

And the grand prize – the hand annotated copy of The Darcys of Pemberley – goes to Amy B.!

Congratulations! You have until September 15th to claim your prize. Email me (shannon(at)shannonwinslow(dot)com) and tell me which book you want and in what format. Give your mailing address for paperbacks (and how you would like your book signed/personalized). If you already own both my current novels (John, this means you) we’ll have to come up with something special. How about an advanced reader copy of Return to Longbourn when it’s available?

They had a very fine day for Box Hill; and all the other outward circumstances of arrangement, accommodation, and punctuality, were in favour of a pleasant party.  (Emma, chapter 43)

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Double Feature

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

If you are of a certain age, you remember (like I do) going to the movie theatre or drive-in and seeing a “double feature.” You paid your money and you got to enjoy two movies! Those days are long gone, I’m afraid. But that term came to mind – and the nostalgic feelings that go with it – when I planned this post, because today I have for you not one but two attractions to offer. As it turned out, I’m featured today in both a guest blog at Indie Jane and also another P&P200 post at Austen Authors. So take your pick below or, preferably, read them both. It’s a rare opportunity to once again go to a “double feature.”

PS – A reminder: Today is the last day to enter for a free book here in the month-long celebration “Happy Birthday to The Darcys of Pemberley.”

Austen Authors P&P200 post: Lydia’s Letter. In chapter 51 of Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen gives the account of Lydia’s return to her family at Longbourn after her belated wedding to Wickham. Austen shows us how all the awkwardness and embarrassment of the situation is felt, not by the two who should be ashamed, but by the others. Lydia is blissfully oblivious, and blindly infatuated with her new husband. I thought it might be fun to glimpse this moment in time through her eyes as she tells the story to her friend, Mrs. Forster, in a letter. Read it here.

Indie Jane post: Name that Jane Austen Quote! How much of a Jane Austen aficionado are you? See how many of these 20 JA quotes (some of the over 40 I tucked away inside the text of For Myself Alone) that you can identify. Play the game here. 

He saw you then at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive in his visits there. (Persuasion, chapter 21)

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Try It; You’ll Like It

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Shannon Winslow

 

 

I was at Costco today about noon, and my timing was perfect. You know what I mean. Stationed around every other corner was a demonstrator, card table set up and offering samples of new culinary delicacies. The highlights? Chicken tenders, tortilla chips and salsa, with vitamin water to wash it all down – in other words, lunch!

They give you a taste of their product in the hope you’ll like it enough to want more, that you’ll then plunk down $12.95 to buy a Costco-sized package of P&Q garbonzo beans or whatever. They do the same thing with books at online stores like Amazon and B&N. You might be wavering about buying a particular book, even if you’ve heard good things about it. But if you get to read and like the sample chapters, you’ll feel more confident it will suit your literary tastes and perhaps go ahead.

That’s kind of what’s happening this week with my second Austen-inspired novel, “For Myself Alone.” There’s a free sample available at two separate locations.

My new post on Austen Authors (“Jane’s Next Novel”) tells about my inspiration for the book and how it relates to Jane Austen’s writings. Then there’s an excerpt – prologue plus part of chapter 1. To read the post and excerpt, please visit here.

If you want a bigger taste, go to Austenticity, where For Myself Alone is the featured novel this week. You can read all the way to the end of chapter 5 there if you hurry. It should be available for a few more days.

Speaking of a few days, that’s all the longer you have to enter my little book give-away here. If you like your free sample, I might even be able to save you the cost of buying the rest. Good luck!

“You are speaking of London. I am speaking of the nation at large.” “The metropolis, I imagine, is a pretty fair sample of the rest.” (Mansfield Park, chapter 9)

Posted in Austen Authors, contests, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Quotes, Shannon Winslow, Shannon Winslow's writing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments