2017 marked the bicentenary of Austen’s death, and the birth of two new pieces of British money: a £2 coin and a £10 bank note. The Coin The coin, as explained by the Royal Mint: Unfortunately, before I left England in August I did not acquire one of these coins. They were sold in gift shops, but I… Read more

As an instructor of public writing I support writing that is freely available to the public, not locked behind a paywall or only found through a university library’s database or paper subscription service. I support writers who write with the intention of educating the public and sharing information quickly. I support academics who enjoy writing… Read more

This blog post celebrates two things: Austen (of course) and UMF’s New Commons Project. The initiative is funded by a Mellon grant and asks a community to “build a cultural commons” full of great art, literature, and ideas. The image above opens the project’s webpage. Here’s a blurb from the site that explains what the project… Read more

Reflect on the JASNA IVP experience in 500 words + pictures. That was my charge from the International Visitor Program. No problem, right?  The other IVs submitted articles to the newsletter. How difficult can it be? The task is not as easy as it may sound. How does one condense six weeks into 500 words,… Read more

Now that I have completed my tenure as the 2017 JASNA IV, it’s time to think about next steps. Here they are: Writing Talking Teaching Traveling More Research Let me address this list item by item: 1. Since returning from England I have set out to write two articles on the Sitting with Jane art trail.… Read more

I don’t recall if I mentioned that one day in July, I was asked if I would like to be interviewed for a Chawton House Library podcast. “Why, yes, I would!” was my answer. Along with the three CHL fellows, I was interviewed by Karen Woods in the Oak Room–one of the rooms with a… Read more

When Adam and I arrived at the first security point check–the one where agents check your passport and ask you questions about where you have been and what you have been doing–I thought I’d have some fun with the agent. They are soooo serious, and I get that they have to be, but I did… Read more

  Believe it or not, Adam and I made it back to the U.S. without any serious problems. The car started. Adam drove us to the car rental return. We got on our shuttle. We checked in at the airport. We boarded our flight. It left on time. We landed early. No problems with Customs.… Read more

Oh, how bittersweet my last day in Chawton was. The bitter part? It rained a lot that day, and I had to walk in it a few times. It was a sad, gray day. Actually, the day was mostly sweet, for I got to look through a book that I have been wanting to see… Read more

On August 7, I decided to go back to Basingstoke to see the recently unveiled Jane Austen bronze statue standing in front of the Willis Museum. There I also planned to see one of the Sitting with Jane book benches and an exhibit called “Retail and Romance: Jane Goes to the Ball.” In case you… Read more