Sister Novelists Countdown!

A little news before my new book launches on October 25th

Hello Jane-friends, book-loving friends, and friends of history’s strong women!

I’m writing with a few updates before the 10/25 launch of Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters, Who Paved the Way for Austen and the Brontës. Forgive me if I’m only playing one note now? I’ve been writing this first biography of the Porter sisters— their triumphs, heartbreaks, loves, and losses—for nearly twenty years. Of course I’m excited and nervous.

Jane Porter once compared her anxieties about writing vs. publishing to an officer in battle: “When I get into the press, I shall feel myself on the field,” she wrote in 1823, “and Heaven generally gives me a braver hand there, than in bringing up my forces.” Here’s to bravery in the field.

WEARING MY LUCKY DRESS

Bolstering my spirits now are the many talented people I have the privilege to work alongside, including designer Jennyvi of Jane Austen Couture. Here I am in one of her amazing new dresses. Would you believe she’s selling this as the Devoney Derby Dress? I’m not generally superstitious, but this *must* be a lucky dress, right?

CONSIDER PRE-ORDERING, TELLING A FRIEND, AND HELPING WITH ROLLOUT?

Thanks to all who’ve pre-ordered Sister Novelists—or who might take a moment to do so now. Contact me to say you did it this week? I’ll happily mail you a signed bookplate! If buying the book isn’t in your budget now, then you could suggest it as a title for purchase via your local library’s website. They’ll want your info and the book’s: Devoney Looser, Sister Novelists, Bloomsbury Publishing, ISBN: 163557529X.

Here’s a photo of some gorgeous late nineteenth-century editions of Jane Porter’s bestselling Thaddeus of Warsaw (1803). This other Jane deserves a strong return to literary history, after years of neglect.

EARLY REVIEWS—AND FINGERS CROSSED FOR MORE TO COME

I’m beyond thrilled Sister Novelists was one of Apple’s “Most Anticipated Fall Books,” that Kirkus called it “A triumph of literary detective work and storytelling,” and that endorsements from Soniah Kamal, Tilar Mazzeo, Damianne Scott, Janet Todd, and Lucy Worsley are so generous. I’m grateful to the early readers who posted reviews on Goodreads and Netgalley. I know they say “Never read the comments," but I couldn’t resist—and cried! An excerpt in Smithsonian and an essay about writing this book will appear next week.

If you have any ideas for me about how to get Sister Novelists before more eyes and into more hands, let me know? I’d be grateful for suggestions, large or small.

LET’S CONNECT: MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE BOOK TOUR

The Sister Novelists book tour is coming, virtually and in person. Join me IN PERSON to celebrate in Phoenix (Changing Hands, with Paula Byrne), Tulsa (Magic City), Columbia, MO (Skylark, with Janet Saidi of The Austen Connection), Scottsdale (Poisoned Pen), or Minneapolis/St. Paul (Magers & Quinn)? Dates and times are below.

I hope to see you ONLINE, too, at Melbourne’s Austen Con (ticketed event, including session on “Regency Women Breaking Rules,” with Janet Saidi), Hub City Writers Project (free on Zoom, with Erin Templeton), or the Jane Austen & Co. lecture series. Further details will be posted on the Sister Novelists website’s News and Events page.

SISTER NOVELISTS: THE AUDIO BOOK!

Do you prefer to listen to books? Newcomer Larissa Thompson (whose audition tape blew me away) narrated the audiobook for Sister Novelists. That’s now also available for pre-order through Audible.com and elsewhere. Look at this fabulous outfit Larissa wore for the recording!

AUSTEN MONDAYS—OR ANY DAY

I’ll end with an Austen update: I wrote last month about the free online Austen Mondays program at the Rosenbach Museum. I had the great pleasure of being a part of it on week one’s show. The program, with optional mixed drinks, is led by marvelous host Edward Pettit (who—no joke—has five daughters!) and his invited guests. Catch up on YouTube then join in live on Mondays.

I’ll be in touch again in a little more than ONE WEEK! Eek. Thanks for indulging me at this nerve-wracking, thrilling moment in author-life—and for the Porter sisters’ next act.

Sincerely,
Devoney

DO YOU LIKE TO RATE/REVIEW THINGS?
Might you be willing to add Sister Novelists to your Want to Read on Goodreads OR Wishlist on BookBub OR anywhere you like to rate, review, or share books?

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Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, BookBub, or YouTube.
And please forward this newsletter to a friend who might be interested in joining us.

JOIN ME FOR THE BOOK TOUR? (With further events in the works!)

• 10/24: Phoenix, AZ: Changing Hands Phoenix (Mon., Oct. 24th 6 p.m.), with biographer and novelist Paula Byrne 

• 11/4-11/5: ONLINE: Austen Con "Regency Women Breaking Rules," with Janet Saidi of The Austen Connection (ticketed event)

• 11/10: Columbia, MO: Skylark Books (Thurs., Nov. 10th, 6:30 p.m.), with Janet Saidi of KBIA and The Austen Connection

• 11/7: ONLINE: Hub City Writers Project (November 7th, ), 6 p.m. ET, with Erin Templeton (free with registration)

• 11/14: Tulsa, OK: Magic City Books (Mon,. Nov. 14th) 

• 11/15: ONLINE: Jane Austen & Co. webinar lecture in "Reading with Austen" series (free with registration)12/6: Scottsdale, AZ: Poisoned Pen (Tues., Dec. 6th)

• 2/16: Minneapolis, MN: Magers & Quinn (Thurs., Feb. 16th)