Jane Austen Speaks by Maria Emilia de Medeiros - with giveaway!

I am thrilled today to be part of the blog tour for the lovely Maria Emilia de Medeiros' new book, Jane Austen Speaks.

In JANE AUSTEN SPEAKS, author Maria Emilia de Medeiros “channels” the great Jane Austen from her heavenly home and allows her the opportunity to speak her mind about the modern world nearly two centuries after her passing. Readers will gain a healthy dose of wise counsel and witty advice for leading a sensible, well-mannered twenty-first century life. Jane Austen’s heavenly exploits (not to mention her recipes) will both entertain and delight you. At times serious, drily humorous, or even a bit naughty, JANE AUSTEN SPEAKS is a necessary addition to every Janeite’s library. Dear Readers, if you have ever asked yourself, “What would Jane Austen think?” you have indeed come to the right place.

Thank you so much for welcoming me to Laughing with Lizzie today, Sophie!  I am most grateful for your kind welcome and for so graciously hosting me on your lovely blog during the tour for my recently released book, Jane Austen Speaks About Life, the Modern World, & Heavenly Pursuits. 

Today I would like to share with the readers of Laughing with Lizzie a bit about my long journey of finding images for the book.  Let me say first of all that Jane Austen Speaks is a unique book in many ways.  It is not a romance novel, but it is instead a series of often humorous essays written in the voice of Miss Austen, who comments on all manner of things from her place in Spirit or “Heaven.” Since a picture is truly worth a thousand words, I wanted to include images to illustrate each essay and recipe in the book.  I soon realized that doing so would not at all be a simple process.

Of course, I was able to find and use many images that are already in the public domain, including beautiful paintings, engravings, and ink drawings.  I myself created a few cartoon line drawings as well as black line drawings for some of the recipes found in the third part of the book, “Heavenly Culinary Delights.”

I was still left with many significant gaps.  Thus began the arduous, months-long process of locating appropriate photographs, contact information of the photographers, and emailing them in order to seek permission for using just a few photos in Jane Austen Speaks.  Generally, either I never received any response, or the answer was “no.”  All seemed rather bleak until my Janeite friends came to the rescue! 

One day, as I was chatting with my dear friend Sophie “Lizzie” Andrews, I mentioned my dilemma and was musing aloud whether or not I should just give in.  Immediately, Sophie asked me, “What do you need?”  She began to send me some of her own personal photographs, and thus began the process of incorporating several of Sophie’s own beautiful, personal photographs into the book.  Almost miraculously, we were able to find wonderful images for nearly all of my “blank spots.”  For those I still needed, I asked fellow Janeites on Facebook if anyone would be willing to share a photo of this or that for use in the book.  Three noble Janeites stepped forward and generously offered me the use of a couple of their lovely photos.

One of my particular favorites in the book is the very fun photograph of the lovely Sophie with her friend, the equally lovely author, Joana Starnes.  This photo was taken in the ladies’ lavatory in The Red Lion pub in Upper Basildon, Berkshire, which features the wall-sized murals of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Pemberley.  When I asked Joana for permission to use her likeness, her answer was an extremely affirming and very enthusiastic, “YES, OF COURSE!” I felt very humbled by such kindness. 

Dear Readers, Jane Austen Speaks would not have been the book it finally became without the assistance and collaboration of Sophie and other Janeites, some of whom are far too humble to be comfortable with me mentioning their names here.  In fact, it is a possibility that this book might not have come into being at all without their assistance, encouragement, and support.  For this, I am truly grateful.  Miss Austen, I believe, would be immensely proud. 

I so look forward to hearing from you!  Please enter your comments below for a chance to win an eBook copy of Jane Austen Speaks (international giveaway) and a soap from my “Jane Austen’s Simply Elegant Soaps” collection (U.S. only).

** GIVEAWAY - ends Friday 15th July **

As you can see above, Maria has been kind enough to offer a giveaway of an ebook copy, open internationally, and also one her lovely soaps, open to America only.

Please leave a comment for a chance to win, and state whether you are entering for the ebook or the soap as well. The giveaway ends on 15th July. I will be in touch with the winners so please leave your email! The very best of luck!

I want to make it clear that there is a giveaway per blog, not just one for the whole tour, so make sure you enter them all for the best chance to win!

My Jane Austen Book Club:  July 6

Laughing with Lizzie:  July 8

Obsessed with Mr. Darcy:  July 12

So Little Time...:  July 14

More Agreeably Engaged:  July 19

My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice:  July 21

Babblings of a Bookworm:  July 25

Darcyholic Diversions:  July 28

Links:

Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Austen-Speaks-Heavenly-Pursuits/dp/0692639950/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466366157&sr=1-1&keywords=jane+austen+speaks

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Austen-Speaks-Heavenly-Pursuits/dp/0692639950/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466366192&sr=1-1&keywords=jane+austen+speaks

Kindest Regards,

Maria-Emilia de Medeiros

My thanks again goes to Maria for this post and I wish her all the best with this new book. I am glad I could help you with the pictures you needed!

Maria Emilia de Medeiros is a teacher, writer, artist, and lifelong Janeite. She read her first Jane Austen novel at the tender age of twelve and has never looked back. In addition to reading, playing the pianoforte, and embroidery, she is fond of dogs, long country walks, and drawing. Jane Austen Speaks is her first published book about Jane Austen. 

Contact Information:

Barton Cottage Press

bartoncottagepress.blogspot.com

Your affectionate friend,