Encounters with Jane Austen: Celebrating 250 Years

by Julia Quinn, Cheryl Robson (Editor), Jennie Batchelor (Introduction), Jennie Batchelor (Foreword by), Rose Williams

Overview

"A veritable smorgasbord for fans of Austen, as artists, poets, literary critics and writers come together to explore why, at 250, Jane is still inspiring, enthralling and infuriating us." – Helena Kelly, author of Jane Austen, the Secret Radical and the forthcoming The Worlds of Jane Austen

We will be celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday this year with this wide-ranging volume of essays, interviews, short stories, personal reflections, and poetry. This collection will demonstrate the immense influence of Austen’s writing, as her novels continue to inspire modern adaptations and audiences.

With an introductory overview of Austen’s life and work by academic, author and speaker, Professor Jennie Batchelor, over 20 contributors will reveal the impact of Austen’s timeless writing on their own journeys.

Contributors include: April de Angelis, David Bamber, Jen Francis, Andrea Gibb, Mary Hamer, Jeff James, Charlie Lovett, Julia Quinn, Rose Williams, and more to be announced.

Previously published work can be included with permission. If you would like to contribute to the anthology or perhaps be interviewed, please get in touch: [e-mail]

The book will be launched in time for Austen’s 250th birthday in December 2025

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913641511
Publisher:	Aurora Metro Books
Publication date:	11/30/2025
Series:	Encounters with
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Julia Quinn, is an American author of historical romance fiction. Her novels have been translated into 41 languages and have appeared on The New York Times Bestseller List 19 times. She has been inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her Bridgerton series of novels has been adapted for Netflix by Shondaland under the title Bridgerton.

Rose Victoria Williams (born 18 February 1994) is an English actress from Ealing, London. Her television roles include Princess Claude in Reign and as Charlotte Heywood in Sanditon.

Table of Contents

introduction by Professor jennie batchelor; essays, poems; stories

Editorial Reviews

"Fizzing with originality and creative energy, each contributor reveals their own deeply personal encounter with Austen’s work, finding new relevance and importance in the great novelist en route."

Professor Hannah Greig (Royal Holloway University)

"Encounters with Jane Austen is a delightful compendium of reactions—or perhaps we should call them love notes—from many creative writers and other thoughtful interpreters who share their appreciation for Austen. Reading Encounters is like discussing Austen with your best friends if your friends group were to include the likes of Julia Quinn and Natalie Jenner among many other talented authors. Insightful, yet "light and bright and sparkling," this book offers a wonderful way to celebrate the many facets of Austen's genius and to enjoy an excellent introduction to her life and impact prepared by scholar Jennie Batchelor."

Mary Mintz

"A veritable smorgasbord for fans of Austen, as artists, poets, literary critics and writers come together to explore why, at 250, Jane is still inspiring, enthralling and infuriating us."

Helena Kelly

"Jane Austen’s much-loved characters read ‘Elegant extracts’, and were very entertained. For us, in the twenty-first century, there’s so much to entertain in this carefully curated collection. It contains poetry, short stories, essays, and interviews with creators and thinkers – and indeed, with Jane herself! Savour in sections, or gobble it up in one sitting as we celebrate 250 years of Austen’s life, her writing, and her enduring legacy."

Gillian Dow