‘Winning and beguiling … Smith shares Jane Austen’s clarity and gentle irony’
– Independent

Jane Austen’s novels changed the landscape of fiction for ever, and her books remain as fresh, entertaining and witty as the day they were first published. Bursting with useful exercises, beautiful illustrations and enlightening quotations from Austen’s novels and letters, this book will teach you her tips, tricks and methods, including:

* How not to plot a novel

* The best ways to introduce, establish and develop characters

* How to build suspense

* How to write sparkling dialogue

* Using irony, ekphrasis and other clever devices

* How best to live the writer’s life

This is a practical guide to writing, no matter where and when your stories are set. It draws on Rebecca Smith’s years of teaching and writing fiction and her time as Writer in Residence at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire and the many writing workshops she ran there.

‘Rebecca Smith has penned an Austen-lover’s dream with her book The Jane Austen Writer’s Club: Inspiration and Advice from the World’s Best-Loved Novelist. True to its name, this book provides encouragement and insights gleaned from the works and letters of Jane Austen, compiled by her five times great-grandniece and teacher of creative writing. From planning a novel to joints of mutton, this volume of techniques, tips, and encouragements is as close as Austen-ites can get to mentorship by Austen herself. Not only is the advice contained within still relevant, but it is highly readable and has a wide array of writing exercises and anecdotes, making this a fantastic resource for writers, Austen fans or not. It’s almost like having a class on writing, as Austen offered much advice to her relatives and friends about writing, and The Jane Austen Writer’s Club gleans the best of this information. This writing companion is encouragement, practice, and advice all rolled into one, and it is entertaining reading as well. Joining the Jane Austen Writer’s Club is as easy as picking up this book and digging in, cup of tea completely optional.’
– Manhattan Book Review

Read an extract

Rebecca Smith writer, author, novelist, Jane Austen, UK
Rebecca Smith writer, author, novelist, Jane Austen, UK

Illustration by Sarah J Coleman