Kia ora e ,

By this point you're well acquainted with my Austen obsession, but did you know that I'm really into Taylor Swift too?

I found a way to combine these special interests (Autism term), in short videos with images from Austen adaptations and backing music from Taylor Swift. These post on my Instagram and YouTube accounts. And (just for you) I've made a compilation of some of my favourites. You may have heard these mentioned in my radio interview last month.

Unlike the Austen obsession, the Taylor Swift one was intentional. When she was due to rerelease 1989 I decided to make her music my new focus and it worked (eventually). Sadly I did not get to the Eras Tour but there's a tribute show in town next month that I'm attending (for a fraction of the price).

My plan to visit Australia next year (and hopefully make it an annual event) came about in the same way. I adore avoiding some of the Wellington Winter and adore reading Austen, so combined the two.

Tickets aren't out yet but if you're keen, let me know.

Let's go to the beach-beach

Our first roleplaying session is happening in a couple of days, I'm hoping it'll be a good time (especially for those that want to be in an Austen novel).

Let me know your obsessions and whether you liked the shorts.

Ngā mihi nui,

Frances Duncan (she/they)

Author, Austenite, Life Coach

-----------------------------------------

2025 Austen Society Events

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

2028: Austen and Medicine?