Kia ora

I wanted you to be the first to know that I'm officially a certified life coach. This badge has quietly appeared on my website and once the school announces it on their Instagram, I'll announce it on mine. It's an extension of the course I did a couple of years ago, proving I can do the work. My coaching prices have increased by 10%, but as you're on my mailing list, I'll honour the previous price if you'd like to work with me in 2026. I currently have an open slot if you're keen to start soon.

The July retreat has sold out and I have ideas for a closer to home reading retreat next year. I'm getting excited for the Austen Society's first in person meeting coming up in May. Rachel, co-host of The Amateur Austenite podcast, will be discussing diverse retellings of Austen novels.

I've just picked up the books society members ordered (look out for a video of Rachel dancing with the books on my Instagram and Youtube). Which means I have to keep my hands off Emiko till our group read in July. In the meantime, if there's an Austen novel you'd like to read with me one-on-one, I've created a private book club just for you (more details below).

If you know anyone, I'm still looking for:

• neurodiverse writers who sometimes get stuck to interview
• someone to help manage events for the Austen Society in Wellington

Please send them my way!

Ngā mihi nui,

Frances Duncan (she/they)

Author, Austenite, Life Coach (now certified!)

Upcoming Events

(subscribe to the Austen Society calendar)

27 April Virtual monthly writing group

11 May Austen virtual monthly discussion: lack of a comfortable home (for an author and her characters)

23 May Beyond the Bookshelves: Diversity in Austen Retellings with Rachel Pilois of Unity Books

25 May Virtual monthly writing group

8 June Austen virtual monthly discussion: alternative fates "happiness in marriage"

Coming up on the podcast: Willoughby rescues Marianne! (Also known as chapter 9 of Sense and Sensibility)

Private Book Club

• you choose the Austen novel
• you set the pace and the agenda
• we meet online for half an hour a week to discuss the novel
• we send each other text and voice notes via Discord (images too!)

For $500 we'll discuss an Austen novel of your choosing over 12 weeks