In sympathy with Mr. Bennet; getting Jane, Actually on store shelves

By Jennifer Petkus

I feel quite like Mr. Bennet, who, after learning of Elizabeth’s betrothal to Darcy on the heels of Jane’s betrothal and the marriage of Lydia to Wickham, says, “If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at leisure.”

If there are any others who want to post reviews of Jane, Actually, my latest book, send them in, for I am quite at leisure. I’ve had a surfeit of good news lately, from a review at IndieJane.org to a review by Deborah Yaffe (author of the soon to be published Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom) to the article in the Denver Post book blog. Be sure to leave a comment at IndieJane if you want to enter the giveaway for a physical copy and an ebook.

I’m also nervously anticipating my book reading at the Tattered Cover and I just was invited (after I pestered her) by Nicole Sullivan to read at the brand-spanking new BookBar in the Berkeley neighborhood at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24. If you don’t know about the BookBar, just imagine a cozy neighborhood book store with wine, beer, tea, coffee and hors d’oeuvres. My neighbor and fellow author Gary Michael just read from his Journey from Little Left (sort of a prairie dog version of Watership Down) at BookBar.

I’m also hoping to get Jane, Actually on other store shelves, include Strand Book Store in New York City, where my Jane Austen has the first reading of her completed Sanditon. I sent an inquiry to the store, but haven’t heard back. JASNA NYC kindly tweeted they could get bodies to a reading, but first I would have to convince @strandbookstore to stock the book. They might need encouragement, though, and a word in their shell-like would not go amiss (#strandbookstore).

I’m also petitioning Harvard Book Store as well, because that’s where my Jane first meets the odious (but well-groomed) Courtney Blake. I hope all this is an excuse for an East Coast trip.

So don’t hold back, book reviewers, you’ll be in good company. Mr. Bennet also says, “I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he. “Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane’s.” And I am sure I’ll love your review just as much as I would love one from the New York Times.