Kia ora e hoa,

I identify as an Austenite; someone who is obsessed with Jane Austen (going on 30 years now). Somehow, despite this obsession, it managed to slip through the cracks that I’m autistic till perimenopause brought it to the forefront. (A blessing in disguise??)

Discovering my neurodiversity (pursing an ADHD diagnosis too!) explained why life had been so goddamn hard, because my brain isn't wired like other peoples (and the world is set up for those people). Acceptance of (what has been referred to as) my "sparkly brain" has brought with it so much joy.

That’s what I want for everyone.

I get a kick out of helping people figure out who they are, what they love and how to get more of it in life coaching. Seeing people heatedly discussing Austen and making friends at society meetings is a delight.

The best piece of advice I can give anyone (technically life coaches aren't meant to give advice, but allow me this one) is to do more of what you love*.

On that note - here's something I've been working on and you're one of the first to know! The Austen Society will find out on a new days.

Tell me more

Or if you're super keen let me know by 30 June

Sign me up!

Ngā mihi nui,

Frances Duncan

*The many various Austen things I do include: a podcast, writing, the Austen society, Austen themed merchandise, Austen inspired life coaching, oh and my closest friends are people I met through Austen Society events (without Jane Austen I would have no social life). Follow your passions and you'll find your people.

2025 Austen Society Events

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

2028: Austen and Medicine?