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 fifteen 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. Here's what Shannon says about her unique approach to writing JAFF: "Since I’m just sappy enough to believe there’s only one true story for the characters I’ve grown to love (and Jane Austen wrote it), I amuse myself with adding onto rather than varying from canon - expanding on what Jane Austen gave us and filling in the blanks in the record with prequel, sequel, and supplemental views. What was Mr. Darcy doing all the time he’s absent from the page? What happened to Colonel Brandon in India? And how did our favorite couples fare after the wedding? Inquiring minds want to know, and I’m happy to deliver the answers!"

Most commented posts

  1. Who Should Get the Cover? — 125 comments
  2. Happy Anniversary Austen Variations! — 72 comments
  3. Cover Prototypes for “Mr. Knightley in His Own Words” — 69 comments
  4. Persuasion 200: Beginning with an Ending — 67 comments
  5. “The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen” Debuts! — 60 comments

Author's posts

Confessions & Correspondence: Upon the the Occasion of the Wickhams Departing Longbourn

Welcome to our epistolary retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Jane Austen’s original version of the story, First Impression, was told entirely in letters, so it seemed like a great group project. We’ll be posting a new letter every Wednesday.    Mr. Bennet writes to Mr. Gardiner September 9, 1812 My Dear Sir, I am pleased …

Continue reading

Announcing the Winners of The Darcys of Pemberley 15th Birthday Giveaway!

Thank you all so much for celebrating with me 15 wonderful years of The Darcys of Pemberley! – which also represents 15 wonderful years for me of being a published author! Good news! Instead of the 5 audio codes I intended to give away, I’ve decided to double the number of winners. So congratulations to: …

Continue reading

Happy 15th Birthday to “The Darcys of Pemberley” – Excerpt and Giveaway

Wow! My first (and still most popular) darling literary child is 15 years old today! In some ways, it seems like only yesterday, but how much my world has changed since then! It’s still a bit surreal to me that I’m a published author with thousands of readers. And it all began with The Darcys …

Continue reading

Confessions & Correspondence: Caroline’s Exalts Over Invitation to Pemberley

Welcome to our epistolary retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Jane Austen’s original version of the story, First Impression, was told entirely in letters, so it seemed like a great group project. We’ll be posting a new letter every Wednesday.    Caroline Bingley’s Journal July 15, 1812 Oh, happy day! I am invited to Pemberley! That …

Continue reading

Here’s My New Book!

I considered naming my protagonist Mr. Darcy and giving him a jaunty cravat. I could have called the girl Elizabeth too, I suppose. I could have, but I didn’t. I didn’t even contrive a sneaky way to insert Jane Austen’s name or the words “pride” and “prejudice” repeatedly into the text. I won’t try to …

Continue reading

Confessions & Correspondence: Jane’s Hopes for the Future

Welcome to our epistolary retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Jane Austen’s original version of the story, First Impression, was told entirely in letters, so it seemed like a great group project. We’ll be posting a new letter every Wednesday.    Jane’s Journal June 17, 1812 Today was a very pleasant day. The weather was fine, …

Continue reading

Confessions & Correspondence: Kitty Reacts to Lydia’s Letter from Brighton

Welcome to our epistolary retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Jane Austen’s original version of the story, First Impression, was told entirely in letters, so it seemed like a great group project. We’ll be posting a new letter every Wednesday.    Kitty Bennet writes in her journal… May 20, 1812 Dear Diary, You know how miserable …

Continue reading

The Rules of Movie Day

Approximately every two weeks, my sister and I declare a “MOVIE DAY!” We might go to a theatre on the rare occasion there’s actually something playing of interest to us. But usually she comes to my house, arriving mid- to late morning. Which brings me to the first rule of Movie Day… WE ARE NOT …

Continue reading

Tricky Titles

Did you pour over the pages of a baby name book for hours and hours before finally deciding what moniker your darling child would be saddled with for life? Authors give nearly as much thought to titling their latest works before sending them out into the world. A lot rides on that decision, and once …

Continue reading

Confessions and Correspondence: Anne Frets Over Darcy’s Impending Visit to Rosings

  Welcome to our epistolary retelling of Pride & Prejudice! Jane Austen’s original version of the story, First Impression, was told entirely in letters, so it seemed like a great group project. We’ll be posting a new letter every Wednesday.    Anne writes in her journal…   March 18th, 1812 Dear Diary, William Darcy is …

Continue reading

Load more