Devoney Looser's Blog

Sister Novelists named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title I'm thrilled that Sister Novelists: The Trailblazing Porter Sisters Who Paved the Way for Austen and the Brontës was named an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice for 2023. Please consider recommending it for purchase by your public, college, or university library? I'm truly grateful when this biography of the Porter sisters has a chance to connect with a new reader. 

Staging Austen Lecture at U of Minnesota on November 13th Hey Minnesota Janeite/Austen Studies friends! I'll be giving a lecture on "Staging Jane Austen: Past and Present" at the U of MN on Mon., Nov. 13th at 5:30 p.m. at Rarig Center (Link below.) Free & open to the public. I'll also be in the audience for the U's production of Kate Hamill's Pride and Prejudice, directed by Lisa Channer, on Sun., Nov. 12th at 2 p.m., if you want to join me for that part of the fun. Hope to see you then!

Upcoming Virtual Book Tour Event for Sister Novelists at Austen Con, Nov. 4/5. Virtual events! I'm excited to share an upcoming virtual book tour event for Sister Novelists: Join me at the 5th annual Austen Con, a Melbourne-based in-person & online gathering on November 4/5, depending on your time zone. I'll be in conversation with Austen Connection's Janet Saidi for "Regency Women Breaking the Rules." (A full digital access ticket is $20 AUS.) ​

Join me at Changing Hands Phoenix on 10/24? ​Friends in Arizona! Might you join me at Changing Hands-Phoenix on Mon. Oct. 24th at 6 p.m.? That'll be the in-person launch for my new book, Sister Novelists. It's not yet officially announced on the site, but I'll be in conversation with the fabulous Paula Byrne. It would mean so much to see you there.

Sister Novelists among "Fall's Most Anticipated Books," according to Apple. Thank you, Apple Books, for including Sister Novelists among your "Fall's Most Anticipated Books" in nonfiction.

It was a blast to talk Jane Austen with the marvelous Deborah Yaffe, on Connecticut Public Radio's Colin McEnroe Show. if you'd like to have a listen. Colin's fabulous questions definitely kept us on our toes!

My latest research into the Austen family, slavery, and the slave trade appeared earlier this month in the TLS in an essay about Captain Charles Austen's experiences in 1826, capturing a slaver's ship, off the coast of Cuba. I also had the opportunity to talk about the piece on the TLS podcast, with wonderful host Alex Clark. 

Talking Jane Austen and Bridgerton with Netflix Tudum Getting the chance to talk about Jane Austen and Bridgerton with Anne Cohen for this piece for Netflix Tudum was the perfect revving up for watching season two. That "rake shops for a wife" segment in episode one is absolutely amazing.

Generous collector-friend, thank you! To hold this beautiful book feels magical. A collector-friend loaned me her rare copy of Anna Maria Porter's Artless Tales (1793), published when future-famous Maria was 14. Just five known copies of this book!

I couldn't have pieced together the never-told stories in Sister Novelists without the labor and generosity of collectors and librarians. So grateful.

Pre-order (out in September) and/or add to want-to-read on Goodreads? I'd be so grateful for your support.

I had a blast talking to Jace Lacob and Masterpiece Podcast team for the third episode of their Sanditon previews. I'm looking forward to the second season's start in March!