Reconstructing Jane Austen's Childhood Home (Where She Wrote "Pride and Prejudice.")

How do you set a story in a physical location that no living person has set foot in--and was demolished prior to the invention of photography? This was a challenge that I encountered when I chose Jane Austen and her childhood home of Stevenson Rectory for the setting of my book, "Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher."

Jane Austen is a really interesting research subject because if you dig deep enough, you can really find out a tremendous amount about her life. And yet there are some details that I struggled to identify in the short timeframe I had to craft "Austen Cipher." I only nailed down the color of Jane and Cassandra's eyes at the eleventh hour!

Jane's childhood home, the rectory at Steventon, was demolished in the early 1800's. What details we have must be scrounged together from a myriad of sources, and in some place, merely extrapolated or logically guessed. While I ran into the same problem with Nottingham Castle in the first Lilibet book, that was easy to fudge as the specifics of the floorplan were not necessary for the plot. General, common castle features were enough to suit the story. 

However, for "Austen Cipher", most of the story takes place within the confines of the Steventon Rectory and the movement throughout the house needed to be tightly choreographed. Since Jane Austen is such a beloved and analyzed subject, I knew that if the details were out there, I had to find them, otherwise I'd have rabid Janite's on my tail. 

Thankfully, Linda Robinson Walker compiled a deliciously robust analysis of the rectory, and from her work I was able to construct a rough floor plan, which I could use to guide the movements of the characters in my story.

My rough floorplan sketch 

I was also inspired by the beautiful picture book, "Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen" by Deborah Hopkinson. Although I wanted to independently verify what I found in her book, (particularly the location of the servants and student bedchambers), my findings coincided with what was displayed in the book. 

There are three sketches purported to be of the exterior of the Rectory, completed by Jane's niece, Anna Lefroy, who lived in the house for many years.  However, the sketches are just that--sketches, beautiful but monochromatic. I thought it would be great fun to reproduce the rear-view sketch in watercolors. 

Top: Anna Lefroy  Bottom: My Reproduction

Although my book is set in December, Anna Lefroy's sketch which served as my basis for this painting was clearly set in the height of summer, so I went with that in my reproduction. It was fascinating to get into Anna's mind a bit here. I found myself wondering if there was really so much foliage around the house, or if Anna exaggerated it to gloss over some of the persnickety architectural details. The perspective was fairly ambitious here!

If you'd like to see how I went about reproducing this painting, you may watch a process video at my Instagram account here.

Want to travel back in time and explore the Steventon Rectory alongside Jane Austen? Check out my middle-school novel (loved by all ages), Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher. 

The Seven Sisters Series

It has been a while since I've been THIS EXCITED to share a book review with you guys. And the best part? ITS A SERIES!!! Of really BIG BOOKS!!!

From Pan MacMillian

When my friend Amanda posted a review about the first book, it was an instant library reserve for me. However, by the time the book was available for checkout, I'd largely forgotten any details. This meant that I picked up the book not really knowing what to expect--other than that there were seven sisters. I didn't even remember the genre! I basically never read a book without knowing the plot synopsis, so it was strange going in blind. However, this didn't take away from the enjoyment and I've spent the last month absolutely devouring these books. I actually sat and read for hours with the last two titles, which is something I rarely have the time or attention span for these days!

So, what's the gist? A mysterious billionaire passes away, leaving behind his six adopted daughters--each named after one of the sisters of the Pleiades mythology. Each young woman receives a letter and coordinates which lead her to the origins of her biological family. Part historical fiction, part love story, part mystery, and part inspired by the Greek mythology, each book follows a different sister to a different country.  There, the narrative splits between the historical and the present day, with ongoing plots interweaving in each. 

While 'romance'+'historical fiction' is often a combo that leads to mediocre or even cringeworthy writing, this is not true of Riley's work. The characters are delightful, the prose engaging, and the narrative deeply engrossing. While the first book is the weakest (though still good), the series only grows in strength and excellence. (I'd say the second book and the second sister might be my favorite, but I'm not sure...they're all so good!)

What is truly impressive is the fact that each book contains an entirely different setting--and usually two!   The Seven Sisters and their ancestors traverse Switzerland, Brazil, France, Norway, Germany, England, Scotland, Thailand, Australia, Spain, Kenya, USA, Ireland, and Russia. From Christ the Redeemer, to Beatrix Potter, to Spanish Flamenco, each book also centers around a specific creator or artistic movement. 

And each sister has their own unique journey of growth. They are all beautifully three dimensional characters, giving their own flavor to their own book. The big overarching theme is adoption, and identity, and wrestling with what it means to have both a wonderful adoptive family, but also discovering and understanding where one came from as well. And of course, since each sister is adopted, the theme is explored from a multitude of angles. I really appreciated this because every adoptee has their own story, and it is wonderful to see so many perspectives represented.

I also loved looking at the diversity of interests among the cast of characters. There's a foreign translator, a sailor/musician, a shy bookworm, a blunt dyslexic, a mystical animal lover, and a supermodel addict. Yet none of these are reduced to tropes, but are fully fleshed out. And that's only the seven sisters! The supporting and historical cast are equally diverse. I can't even begin to mention them all. The one mention I'll make is that one story involves a young deaf child, and I absolutely loved it--I almost cried. 

(Okay, I almost cried at several points during the series. It was that good.)

One of the best parts is that, while each sister has her own POV book, they are a family and do appear in each others stories. This means that we get to see stories progress beyond a sister's individual book. In fact, in the final two books, we get POV chapters from each of the main characters.

Now, potential flies in the jam (your milage may vary). It's an adult series. Some of the sisters (and/or) their ancestors have sex lives, not all of which take place in wedlock. There are brief sex scenes in some of the books (though not all). Without risking spoilers, it's worth noting that the series really takes the line that actions have consequences. One or two books have some rougher language as fits the characters journey. One book delves deeply into an addiction and recovery journey. A few books deal with racism. One book follows a family of Spanish Romani and involves the culture's mysticism and fortune-telling. One sister does eventually land in a same-sex relationship, although it's an extremely light romance compared to the others. IMHO, all of these issues were on the light side for adult fiction--I wouldn't be recommending them otherwise. However, everyone has their own tolerance level, and I know some of you will appreciate the heads up. 

Although the series is called "The Seven Sisters" it is actually a saga of eight books. The overarching mystery is resolved in the last book, "Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt", and TRUST ME, if you get that far, you want to have book eight ready the moment you finish book seven. Sadly, author Lucinda Riley passed away before finishing the eighth book, but her son does an excellent job of wrapping matters up. I personally don't think you can tell any difference in the writing style, and the book masterfully weaves together various threads and clues dropped in the earlier series. It is a really cool resolution. 

It was bittersweet to finish the series and realize that my time with the sisters was over. However, it was a fantastic journey, and I'm sure I'll be rereading them eventually. And I'm so excited to finally share this review with YOU! 

"The Marvels" restores hope to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

 If you have not yet watched "The Marvels," chances are, it's because you heard some negative things about it. Or, perhaps, you've been burnt out on Marvel. Or maybe you just aren't interested in Carol Danvers. 

But you should think again, and here's why (sans spoilers):

Guys, I didn't like the first Captain Marvel movie. It's the only Infinity Saga film that I haven't managed to get through a second time. I thought Carol was boring and the movie lacked emotional draw and dramatic interest. Honestly, I might not even have tried "The Marvels" if I hadn't enjoyed Monica in "WandaVision" and absolutely fallen in love with Kamala in "Ms. Marvel."

(While I haven't reviewed it, I adored "Ms. Marvel" and it vies with "WandaVision" for top place among my personal ranking of the D+ shows). 

I'm here to tell you that I was not disappointed. "The Marvels" is the most delightful film to come out of the MCU in quite some time. While it suffers from a confusing first act (clearly there were some heavy-handed edits that messed up the flow and cohesion), the second and third act are very solid. 

And? The film is FUN. It's laugh out loud FUNNY. Iman Vellani is a TREASURE and I'm so thrilled she gets to shine on the big screen. But beyond that, Carol is allowed an emotional journey this time. All three women are, and their bonding is something I've never seen between women on a superhero film OR even TV show before! What the film lacks in clever twists (all the action is resolved with brute strength, not intelligence), it makes up for in heart. 

True, the villain is no more developed than most Marvel baddies, and that's a shame. She's got a very good motive, which could have shone with a tad more screentime. And there's a mid-film sequence that you're going to either love or hate--depends on your feelings on Bollywood movies. 

And while the first half is narratively weak, it earns it's worth from the power/place switching gimmick you've surely seen in the trailers. And, yes, they do move forward narratively before the gimmick gets old. 

The best part of the first film was Goose, and I can assure you, Goose fans will have plenty more to enjoy here. 

Skip Quantamania, skip whatever else you haven't watched on D+ lately, you don't need to do homework before seeing this film. It sets up everything you need to know. If anything, you'll come out from this film and immediately start the first episode of "Ms. Marvel" because you will want more Kamala! 

(Please, Marvel, I need Kamala Khan and Peter Parker sharing a screen and becoming BFFs ASAP. THANKS!)

So, go watch it. Laughter, heartwarming family and friendship storylines, and some unique visuals make it stand out from a lot of the latest Marvel fare, and gives hope for the future of the franchise. Of course, I can't guarantee that you'll love it, but I think it stands a higher chance of enjoyment than most of the audience currently anticipates.

Oh, and don't you DARE miss the mid-credit scene. 

24-Hour FLASH sale on Paperbacks

I excited to share that my paperbacks are on sale for 24 hours only! (Yes, even Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher!) I've NEVER marked them down before, but thought this would be a good time to experiment! This is the best price you will get on these books in 2023 (and maybe 2024 too).

SHERWOOD is $8.00, AUSTEN is $9.00 and MERMAID should drop to $13.33 anytime, just waiting on tech!

(I wanted to drop MERMAID lower, but it was already underpriced and I wasn't allowed. This title will be increasing in price in the near future, so buy it cheap while you can!)

Jane Austen Movie Adaptations

 

In honor of the release of Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher, Lilibet and I have assembled a list of our Jane Austen movie recommendations, in the order we suggest for new viewers.

Lilibet Says: Hi everyone! My name is Lilibet Lynn, and I'm guest blogging today to tell you all about the BEST Jane Austen films and which order you should watch them in. Of course, the books are awesome, but if you're twelve, like me, you might appreciate watching some of the movies first! 

Elizabeth Amy Hajek (EAH) Says: Welcome to the controversial and opinionated world of Jane Austen movie adaptations! Everyone has a favorite, everyone has one they hate, and everyone's right and everyone's wrong. But for those of us who love Jane, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to cinematic representations of her world. In honor of the release of Lilibet's adventure to the home of young Jane in Steventon, England, I'm officially releasing my own personal list of favorite recommendations. 

Long term, this list is intended as a jumping off point for new Austen fans, particularly those younger ones who came upon this page after reading about Lilibet's adventure with Jane (Hi!). However, older fans who are anything like me will likely also enjoy peeking at another Janeite's perspective, even though they'll almost certainly disagree with 50% of it, at least! 

Because I am sensitive to my fans who come from a more restrictive background and since many Lilibet fans are just hitting double digit ages...Jane Austen's works deal with the consequences of bad choices. This includes scandals such as unwed pregnancy and that nature. Austen films tend to allude to such matters without showing or being overly explicit with the details. I'll note any adaptations that I can recall going beyond. 

So, buckle up, rev up your streaming service or grab your library card, and let's head off to Regency England!

Lilibet Says: Via television, that is, right? Unless you've got a chronifact, that you're not telling me about?

EAH Says: No, I don't, unfortunately. But SHH! Spoilers!

Lilibet Says: My lips are sealed. Okay, let's dive into the movies!

Begin With: Pride and Prejudice 2005

Lilibet Says: This is the first Jane Austen film my mom introduced me to, and I love it! Even my brother Ben and little sister Viola enjoyed it! It is funny and beautiful and I love Elizabeth and Darcy! And, after my own adventure, I will never look at those dresses the same way EVER again! 

EAH Says: The beautiful style, clear plotline, and dynamic characters make this THE starter film for Austen newbies. I personally have watched this film turn Jane "pooh-poohers" into fans over and over. It is the most accessible to modern audiences, while retaining a strong sense of time and place.

 As I mention in "Austen Cipher," the film is actually transposed in time. Although the novel was published in 1813, it was originally written in 1796. Director Joe Wright preferred this era of fashion and style, and chose to set his adaption at this time. This has resulted in many fans claiming that it is inaccurate. Another common critique is that the emotionality of the film is more in keeping with the style of the Bronte Sisters, rather than Jane Austen. Personally, I think it's more a melding of the two. No judgement on those with other preferences, it clearly resonated with a modern audience, and led to many viewers discovering an accessible entry into Austen. We could debate the adaptation of the book (although I'd rather not do so online), but as a film, it is a gorgeous masterpiece. Personally, I love Wright's choice to lean toward Darcy being tremendously shy and socially inhibited, rather than insufferably proud. I'm also a fan of Kiera Knightley, although I recognize that many many viewers of my generation find her annoying. I'm curious to see what the consensus is in another ten years' time.

(If you've read the novel already, and have some experience with older BBC/A&E miniseries, you or your family might prefer to follow the advice of Lilibet's grandma and start with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice instead. Scroll to the end of the list to see my thoughts on that one! Or, check out the comparison piece I wrote on some aspects of the two adaptations back in 2008.)

Next up, Sense and Sensibility, 2008

Lilibet Says: Margaret Dashwood is my favorite!!!  But Elinor is pretty cool too. She's really sensible--maybe too sensible? I wish she'd let Marianne keep the horse! Speaking of which... Marianne is the emotionally sensitive one and she doesn't always make great decisions, but Mr. Willoughby is REALLY dashing so I can't really blame her. They feel like real sisters. Their brother has some issues. He makes mine look like a saint! I don't know why they complain about their cottage though. Who wouldn't want to live in a charming cottage by the sea? 

EAH Says: This three-part mini-series came fast on the heels of the success of the 2005 P&P and adapted a few of the same styles. However, it was written by the same screenwriter who did the acclaimed 1995 P&P, leading to an adaptation that sticks fairly close to the blooks. Although it had the weight of a BBC scale budget, this was the point at which BBC productions began to achieve a higher level of quality, which allows this piece to hold up nicely.  It features a shockingly talented cast. Although mostly unknown at the time, many of the cast would go on to become world-known actors. Dan Stevens, Charity Wakefield, Hatti Morahan, Janet McTeer, Dominic Cooper, Lucy Boynton, David Morrissey, Mark Williams, Anna Madeley, and Mark Gatiss are some of the most talented actors to come out of Britain in the past two decades, and they bring this Austen adaptation to charming life! In fact, I only started watching Downton Abbey because I'd loved Dan Stevens so much in Sense and Sensibility! 

Caution Note: There was a weird choice to start the film with a sensual corset unlacing scene. Nothing graphic is shown, and it IS plot relevant, but it absolutely can be skipped, and some families may prefer to do so. The rest of the film is as clean as you'd expect any Austen film to be. 

You can also check out my full-length review of this version, written back in 2009)

Then find: Emma, 1995 (Gwenyth Paltrow)

Lilibet Says: I love how Emma always thinks she knows best, but things go hilariously wrong! She believes that she's a wise and talented matchmaker, but everyone just ends up falling in love with her. Or...do they? You'll have to watch to find out! Plus, it's definitely funny to see Pepper Potts flirt with a really young Obi-Wan Kenobi! Also, it's got archery. Emma and Mr. Knightley have nothing on my friend Rob from Nottingham, though.

EAH Says: One of the few American-made Austen films, this is also one of the most accessible to younger audiences. It was just about the first big budget Austen film, and features Gwenyth Paltrow at her height, and Jeremy Northam as the best Mr. Knightley. (One of the strongest Austen opinions I hold!).

Ironically, this same year saw the BBC do a version of Emma as well, staring Kate Beckninsale. It is difficult to track down, but worth seeing, if you're an Austen fan. I barely remember the 2009 Emma with Romola Garai, but thankfully I wrote a review of it back in 2010.

If you can, track down Northanger Abbey 2007

Lilibet Says: The first time I read Northanger Abbey, I thought it was funny, but I didn't really understand how funny. This film really brought the humor to life! Mom says that in this story, Jane was writing a parody of the dramatic gothic novels that were popular during her era. Now, I know young Jane loved dramatic gothics, but she was too sensible to think they would be very comfortable in real life!

EAH Says: Another lower budget BBC film, it's nonetheless quite funny and an early role for Felicity Jones. This Austen story is often overlooked, but I think it's a great beginning story for younger readers. Just fun and dramatic! (I wrote a post on this film back in 2008).

UPDATE: A mom reader of this blog wrote in to let me know that I missed noting in this segment that there are some aspects of this film that some families may not find appropriate for their younger teen viewers. I'd mentioned this in my review (linked above) but spaced on adding it into here. My sincere apologies, and my gratitude to the gracious alert! In her words (which I share with permission): The gothic imaginings were quite detailed and a bit scary for younger viewers and some of them (particularly the words quoted) were very suggestive. Also, there was a scene showing a compromise between two characters (Isabella and Captain Tilney) that was very clear what had happened.

Get your hands on Sense and Sensibility, 1995

Lilibet Says: I don't like Edward as much in this one. Margaret is still amazing, but what is Professor Snape doing in a romance? Well, I guess his character in this movie is also a tragic one...Mom says this actor played a really famous version of the Sheriff of Nottingham too. I'm not allowed to watch that movie yet, but I think the Austen/Sherwood connection is pretty cool!

EAH Says: Starring Emma Thomspon, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman, many Austen fans regard this as the best ever adaptation of Jane's work. The only reason I didn't include it higher on the list, is that I remember not connecting with it as a young teen, and I think the other version may be more accessible for new fans. However, it is a must watch for Austen fans and lovers of good cinema. You just have to accept that Elinor and Colonal Brandon are too old, and go with it. Emma Thompson wrote the script as well and did a fantastic job of adapting Jane's earliest, and least emotionally-fleshed-out novel. 

Segue over to Bollywood, for Bride and Prejudice 2004

Lilibet Says: My mind exploded when Dad showed me this version of Pride and Prejudice! I didn't know that you could take a classic story and set it in a totally different time and place. I was surprised to see that Modern India had a lot in common with Jane's England! And I LOVED the music and dancing! Dad skipped a couple parts, but not much. I had the songs stuck in my head for days! 

EAH Says: If you like music and color with your Jane, this is the film for you! Life, laughter and love sparkle in this gem, and it is one of my personal favorites among the Austen film oeuvre. However, it's rated PG-13 for some sexual references, so parents may want to preview this one first.. 

Now, back to the BBC, with Persuasion, 1995

Lilibet Says: Grandma tried to get me to watch this but...I gave up. I didn't really get it? Mom says I should read the book and then give it another try when I'm older.

EAH Says: Have you figured out yet that 1995 was the Year of Jane? Here's another one. Jane's last published novel, in a film adaptation featuring Ciaran Hind's as the hero. Persuasion is a book that often grows on Janeites, as it features the eldest heroine and new themes of sophistication and maturity that resonate further with as one ages. However, this makes the story a little less acceptable for younger readers, which is probably why Netflix took a radically different approach in 2022. (I haven't seen that version, and it's been heavily panned by fans so I'm not sure when/if I will.) This version is very low budget, but well-loved by fans.

Then, if you desire more Jane...check out Pride and Prejudice 1995

Lilibet Says: This is Grandma's favorite Jane Austen adaptation of all time. I don't like it quite as much as she does...but I really appreciate how close it stays to the book. Except the wet shirt scene. I don't understand what the big deal is about that, but Mom says it's VERY famous. And that's DEFINITELY not in the book. Also, Mr. Collins is super creepy and gross in this version, and I don't like watching him. Mr. Darcy is very nice. It's slower than the other version, but it keeps some of the lines I missed in that one. 

EAH Says: A host of you are going to be furious with me for putting this at the end of the list. For many, MANY Janeites (including Lilibet's Grandma), this is THE Austen adaptation. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth ARE Elizabeth and Darcy. When the six-part miniseries hit the airwaves in 1995, the accuracy of the script and the charm of Ehle and Firth absolutely captivated fans worldwide. 

The reason I put it so far down the list is that it is very, very dated. Unless you've grown up with a regular diet of 90's BBC miniseries, this one can be very inaccessible for many viewers. BUT, if you've watched a lot of those, and you've read the book already, you may want to start with this one. It's a very personal choice. 

While many of my peers grew up LOVING this adaptation, I could not aquire a version with subtitles until I was an adult. In the meantime, I'd fallen in love with the 2005 version, which is VERY different. Fans tend to love one or the other. I'd also met Colin Firth as a dad character in another film, and could NOT accept him as Darcy (with absolutely no disparagement to his tremendous acting skills). I'm an extraordinarily visual person as well (hey, deaf here), so the 2005 version just appeals to me more. However I do appreciate the strength of the script and Ehle's performance as Elizabeth. No Austen film experience would be complete without checking this one out at some point.

Bonus Round goes to Pride and Prejudice, 1940

Lilibet Says: I was so confused. It was kind of the story of Pride and Prejudice? But, like, if you like Pride and Prejudice and mashed it up with Gone with the Wind or something. Everyone's clothes and hair looked so wrong, and they changed so much! But I did laugh a LOT, so that's a plus.

EAH Says: A very early, black and white big screen adaptation that takes a ton of liberties with the story, including transposing the entire plot a few decades into the future. Elizabeth Bennet in poofy skirts? Oh boy. Nevertheless, if you like old films, I remember this being a fun one, and my first ever film introduction to P&P.

Now for a few warnings...

EAH Says: You'll notice one of Jane's titles is missing. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there is no popular, accurate version of Mansfield Park. It is a deep novel, with a very tricky theme and heroine to transpose to screen. I'll note that I haven't seen the Billie Piper version, and that could require a revamp of this list if I get around to it someday. It also deals with some of Austen's heaviest and darkest themes and is not terribly accessible for younger readers. 

Lilibet Says: Yeah, Mom won't let me watch that. I tried reading the book and didn't understand it. But Dad says I'll appreciate it more when I get older.

EAH Says: The culturally aware may wonder about the recent adaptation of Austen's unfinished work, Sanditon. With three seasons and a strong fan following, it definitely achieved a level of popularity. I have seen it, and definitely think it's a well-done show, BUT it is very modern and deals with a lot of adult themes. Although I was glad to learn more about Austen's final writings, to the extent that I included some information about Sanditon in the Lilibet novel, it is not a show that I can see many families approving for younger teens, and I know many of my conservative readers would be better off skipping it altogether. The hero and heroine do fit Austen's mold, but the rest of the story and cast is going to be controversial, and I just don't do controversy here. 

Lilibet Says: I am NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. Marie isn't either. We're thinking of finishing the story ourselves and turning it into a theatrical...of course, I can't tell her why I'm such an expert in home theater now, but I'm sure I'll come up with something...

For more fun with Lilibet and Jane Austen, check out "Lilibet Lynn and the Austen Cipher" by Elizabeth Amy Hajek, available in ebook and print on Amazon.

Lilibet's 2nd Adventure is coming soon!

Lilibet Lynn is soon heading off on her second adventure through time! 

Lilibet Lynn is dying to explore history, but her mom has other ideas. The past is dangerous, and the secrets of using the thimble safely have been lost to time.

When Lilibet learns of a secret code that might unlock the lost laws of time travel, she decides to take matters into her own hands. After all, a quick trip to the home of famous author Jane Austen should hold nothing more dangerous than a tea party, right?

Unfortunately, while there is tea, there are also spies, kidnappers, and traitors. Young Jane is nothing like Lilibet imagined, and neither is the solidity of historical reality. Will Lilibet’s rash actions doom the future of English literature—or even the course of time itself? Or can she harness the power of the truth to save the day?

Further details about Lilibet (and a Song of the Fay hint) over on my (free) Substack--which I highly recommend subscribing to, as it is my primary method of getting out updates and time sensitive information. I will soon be sending out a cover reveal, as well as more behind-the-scenes tidbits! I also use my Substack to round up the most important links from both this blog and my Instagram, so it's a good one-stop method for staying in touch, if you prefer your info to come once a month in your inbox! But if you like more regular infusions of history, costume, and writing, you may want to follow me on Instagram or *Facebook. (I prefer Instagram, but my posts automatically add to Facebook as well.) 

*Please use the 'follow' function on Facebook! Due to the complex nature of the app and respect for my family's privacy, I keep the 'friend' option for people I have met personally. 

Book News

 

Hello friends! I'm now regularly sharing monthly updates over on my free Substack. This month's update has some major book news that I don't want you to miss! Check it out here and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss future updates! 

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