My new comedy JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES by Syrie James

      (UPDATED December 23, 2023) I’ve had a wonderful time this year presenting and performing in four staged readings of my new original comedy JANE AUSTEN IN 48 MINUTES with three different casts. The play features a cheeky and wise Jane Austen as narrator and a cast of costumed actors who play 47…

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Syrie James at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath

Syrie with the Master of Ceremonies at Jane Austen Festival Bath

  I had the thrill of a lifetime participating in the Jane Austen Festival this month in Bath, England. It is the largest and longest-running Jane Austen Festival in the world and draws many thousands of people every year. The festivities started off on Saturday Sept. 9 with a Regency Costumed Promenade through the streets…

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Celebrating My Jane Austen Novels with The Enchanted Book Club

Syrie and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy

  I was honored to be the guest author this weekend at The Enchanted Book Club’s first-ever in-person event and book signing, and it was like something out of a fairy tale! I couldn’t resist posing with Colin Firth, my favorite Mr. Darcy. If you’re a fan of classic literature and historical fiction novels and…

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Jane Austen & Regency Christmas Traditions

Regency Christmas Pudding

  It is fascinating to look back at Christmas during Jane Austen’s lifetime. Some of the customs we associate with the holiday, such as Christmas trees, Christmas cards, and Santa Claus, didn’t exist until many years later. But Jane Austen’s Christmas was equally as merry as the one we celebrate today. Read on for a…

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8 Ways to Live Like Jane Austen

Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen

  Are you a Jane Austen fan? Have you ever been faced by a difficult decision — when you had to make a choice and desperately wanted to do the right thing, but weren’t sure which alternative was best? The next time that happens, make it easy on yourself. Just ask: What Would Jane Do? One…

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Comparing the Jane Austen’s Persuasion Movie Versions

Film Review Persuasion

  Which film version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion is best? There have been a number of movie adaptations of Jane Austen’s Persuasion including a new one from Netflix, and it’s always a thrill to see Austen’s work adapted for the screen. Persuasion, Jane Austen’s last completed work, is one of my favorite novels. The story…

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Authors’ Chat with Syrie James and Natalie Jenner

  Hello dear readers! I’m delighted to share this video interview between me and the fabulously talented author Natalie Jenner in honor of the paperback release of her wonderful novel, The Jane Austen Society. Please join us at the link below as we discuss the writing of our novels, how we were influenced by Jane…

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Book Giveaway: Signed Copy of Jane Austen’s First Love

    Hello dear readers, To celebrate the launch of my new website, I’m giving away a signed copy of Jane Austen’s First Love, a novel that I’m honored to say was a Library Journal Editor’s Pick of the Year, and the Historical Novel Society called a “masterwork.” Based entirely on real people and inspired…

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Midsummer’s Eve Magic & Traditions

Midsummers Eve Bonfire

Hello dear readers, Midsummer’s Day is almost here! It’s full of fun and fascinating traditions, and thought to be the most magical day of the year in many places around the world. Originally an ancient pagan holiday to celebrate the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), Midsummer’s Day is usually observed on June…

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