ABC: Austen, Books, Coaching

Jan 19, 2025 9:01 pm

Er hi, let me slide awkwardly into your inbox.


At some point we’ve had an interaction which has landed you on my mailing list but if you’re not interested in me, or Jane Austen, no hard feelings, please press the button of doom which should be at the bottom of this email.


Still here? Cool.


If you’re unsure who I am, I’m not sure why you’re still here. If you do know, skip this paragraph. Quick intro: I’m Frances (she/they), neurodiverse author, Austen obsessive and life coach. I founded the Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand, I write Austen-inspired fiction, host a podcast about Austen’s books and offer Austen-inspired life coaching.


2024 was a big year, huge. The Austen society celebrated a decade, we launched merch, moved to a new venue and I completed a life coaching qualification.


In 2025 the society is meeting every month, there’ll be more merch and we’re starting role playing (nerd games, not sexy times). I’m personally hoping to publish a book I’ve been collaborating on and get lots of coaching clients (will you be one of them?). Plus I’ll be planning future Austen years (2026: Diversity, 2027: Austen and Other Authors).


Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry! This email is just a taster. You can find a more detailed breakdown of Austen Society events below along with some books I read last year and enjoyed.


So, yeah. That is my first email.


All going to plan (though let’s be honest, life rarely does) you’ll hear from me about once a month. You, however, are welcome to email me anytime.


Ngā mihi nui,

Frances Duncan

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Book Recommendations

Austen:

The Lost Books of Jane Austen by Janine Barchas

Old Friends and New Fancies by Sybil G Brinton (the first published JAFF & the society group read for 2027)

Being Mary Bennet by J.C Peterson

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa (trans Lizzy and gay Darcy)

Emmet by Lev A.C Rosen (male gay Emma)

Other

Notes on Womanhood by Sarah Jane Barnett

The Art of Holding Space by Heather Plett (huge impact for my coaching and society meetings)

Essentialism and Effortless by Greg Mckeown

Pageboy by Elliot Page


2025 Austen Society Events

19 February: Calling hour $10

29 March: Playing Jane Eventbrite or Humanitix $30

23 April: Roleplaying $20

24 May: Costuming Austen’s Characters Eventbrite or Humanitix $30

25 June: Calling hour $10

24 July – 16 October: Group Read: Sense and Sensibility $30

26 July: After Austen: Em Eventbrite or Humanitix $30

27 August: Roleplaying $20

17 September: Calling hour $10

18 October: Book Club: Sense and Sensibility $25

19 November: Role playing $20

16 or 17 December: Austen’s 250th Birthday! TBC


Future Years Austen Society Events

2026: Diversity

  • Group read: Unmarriageable, in person book club plus an online Q&A with the author Soniah Kamal
  • Talk by Amy Blythe, author of Within My Reach a Sapphic retelling of Austen’s Persuasion set in contemporary New Zealand
  • Seeking: speakers with queer (gender and/or sexuality) and disabled perspectives

2027: Austen and Other Authors

  • Harry Ricketts on Austen and Kipling
  • Mark Houlahan on theatre in Mansfield Park with a focus on Lovers' Vows and Henry the Eighth
  • Group read: Old Friends and New Fancies (the first published Austen fanfiction)
  • Seeking: Austen’s influence on other authors, authors who didn’t like Austen (please, it would be so funny), other suggestions on theme are welcome
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