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.

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Author's posts

Cover Reveal: Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley

Yay! The cover for my upcoming release is now finished and ready to show off a little! Short of holding the first copy of your new book in your hands, there’s not much that beats seeing the completed cover design. I’m sure that for authors who have very little input, that moment can be either …

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Unearthing Jane Austen’s Alternate Past

My husband and I have been charged with the monumental task of going through my parents’ house and all their stuff. They’ve both moved on now (one to heaven and the other to assisted living), leaving all their worldly goods behind. As we have sorted through, we’ve found lots of things that should have been …

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Young Darcy Inherits Heavy Mantle of Responsibility: excerpt from a WIP

Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley, which will debut later this summer, is a Pride and Prejudice sequel told from Georgiana’s perspective, meant to go hand-in-hand with my earlier novel The Darcys of Pemberley. While I’ve been impatiently awaiting it’s release, I have enjoyed sharing a few excerpts with you here at Austen Variations! (See dates …

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The Enigmatic Miss Darcy

Who is Georgiana Darcy, anyway? I was halfway through the book I was writing about her, and I still wasn’t sure I had all the answers. I think most of us have this vague idea about Miss Darcy from Pride and Prejudice – that she’s a sweet, soft-spoken girl – but that’s hardly a well-rounded, …

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Wickham Leads Georgiana Astray: excerpt from a WIP

  Ever wonder how Mr. Wickham convinced Georgiana to agree to an elopement? I did. It’s one of the questions that intrigued me about the enigmatic Miss Darcy when I set out to write her story. The book (tentatively titled Miss Darcy of Pemberley) is nearly finished now, and I can tell you that it …

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Elizabeth and Miss Bingley Face Off – excerpt from a WIP

Here, as promised, is part 2 of chapter 2 of my current work-in-progress – a variation of my own popular novel The Darcys of Pemberley, this time written entirely from Georgiana’s point of view. This is a flashback scene where Georgiana remembers what happened when Elizabeth (and the Gardiners) visited Pemberley, only to be met …

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Mr. Darcy Introduces Georgiana to Elizabeth Bennet: excerpt from a WIP

Today I’m sharing the first half of chapter 2 from my current work-in-progress, an excerpt which amounts to a “missing scene” from Pride and Prejudice – when Darcy takes his sister to meet Elizabeth for the first time at the Lambton Inn. It’s told from Georgiana’s perspective because that’s what the whole book I’m writing …

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Persuasion 200: Is Mr. Elliot As Charming As He Thinks?

The handsome and charming Mr. Elliot is very pleased with his progress and considers that he has Anne exactly where he wants her – eating out of his hand. But then, just when he’s about to close the deal, something goes awry. Unbeknownst to him, Anne has now learnt his true character by her visit …

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Happy Anniversary Austen Variations!

Whenever you set off on a new adventure – be it a trip to a foreign land, a business enterprise, or even a marriage – there’s always a little anxiety mingled with the thrill of anticipation. Will it turn out to be everything you’d hoped and planned? Will you get along well with your traveling …

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Jane in January – P&P Missing Scene – Elizabeth Hears from the New Mrs. Collins

We’re in week 3 of our ‘Jane in January’ event and hope you are enjoying our special focus on “Pride and Prejudice.” Christmas is over and the Bennet household has shrunk from a large, merry party to a small, subdued family group. The Gardiners have left Longbourn to return to London, taking Jane with them. And now …

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