Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business – raising two sons and pursuing a very sensible career – when an ordinary trip to Costco about a dozen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. After watching the mini-series, Shannon was hopelessly hooked on the story, Colin Firth’s Darcy, and all things Jane Austen. One may guess what followed – compulsive reading, late-night trips to the library and video store, secret rendezvous with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley. Finally, only one thing remained. Her dedication (or obsession, as it could more rightly be described) ultimately inspired her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen.

Most commented posts

  1. Happy Anniversary Austen Variations! — 72 comments
  2. Cover Prototypes for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words” — 69 comments
  3. Persuasion 200: Beginning with an Ending — 67 comments
  4. “The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen” Debuts! — 60 comments
  5. Pleasure in a Good Novel, with Reader’s Poll — 58 comments

Author's posts

Reviewing Hallmark’s “Lovuary with Jane Austen”

I had a lot of interest when I published this post on my own blog (www.shannonwinslow.com), so I decided to give it an encore presentation here, for any of you who may have missed it. These are my reviews of Hallmark’s four featured February films: I was skeptical when I heard of the Hallmark Channel’s …

Continue reading

Fun and Games: a Word Puzzle

I hope you have your wits about you today, because I have a game for you! Or maybe it’s more like a puzzle to solve, using Jane Austen quotes. It was actually part of a “Scavenger Hunt” theme we did here at Austen Variation over seven years ago, but I thought it would be fun …

Continue reading

P&P The Untold Stories: Elizabeth Hears from the New Mrs. Collins

What does Charlotte say about married life?   January 16th, 1812 When Elizabeth had said goodbye to the former Miss Lucas at the church door, it had been with a heavy heart. The previous years of unreserved friendship, of easy intimacy were over. The fact that one was now married and the other not might …

Continue reading

P&P The Untold Stories: Mr. Collins Applies to Sir William for Charlotte’s Hand

Can Charlotte contain her excitement? November 29, 1811 Mr. Collins could be no less satisfied with his own eloquence than with its effect. He had obtained his object and, there in the garden, the amiable Charlotte had promised to be his. The more he had thought about it, the more certain he became that his …

Continue reading

P&P The Untold Stories: Caroline Perceives the Danger

This means war! November 15, 1811 While she played the Italian tunes, which she knew by memory, Caroline had also been watching Mr. Darcy – normally one of her favorite occupations. On this occasion, however, she had derived little enough pleasure from it. For it seemed to her that the gentleman in question, rather than …

Continue reading

Now in Audio: Mr. Knightley in His Own Words!

Just a quick blast to let you know that Mr. Knightley in His Own Words is now a available in audio! – as well as Kindle, Nook, and paperback. Yay! If you’re as big a fan of audiobooks as I am, perhaps you’ve been waiting for just this minute to sink your teeth – well, …

Continue reading

P&P The Untold Stories: Elizabeth Reflects on the Assembly

Lizzy Agrees with Her Mother? – an uneasy prospect October 16,1811 The Bennet ladies had only just settled into their carriage to commence their short journey home from the Meryton assembly when Lydia, obviously very well pleased with herself, burst forth with, “What a ball! I declare, it was as if the whole affair was …

Continue reading

A “Progressive” Book Launch for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words”!

Have you ever participated in a “progressive dinner”? It was a fun, social thing they did back in the day – church groups, etc.. You all ate the appetizer at one person’s house. Then you moved on as a group to somebody else’s for the salad, then the main course at a third place, and …

Continue reading

Cover Reveal for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words”

It’s been quite a harrowing journey, but COVER REVEAL DAY IS FINALLY HERE! Like Fitzwilliam Darcy’s and Colonel Brandon‘s books, for Mr. Knightley in His Own Words, I wanted to feature an artist’s interpretation of the title character as portrayed in one of the film adaptations. But which Mr. Knightley should I use? Whose face …

Continue reading

Cover Prototypes for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words”

Yay! I finally finished writing Mr. Knightley in His Own Words, my third Austen hero story, and now it’s time to think about the cover. How exciting! Cover design is one of my favorite parts of the process, bringing together my love of art and my love of books. And I thought it would be …

Continue reading

Load more