The Jane Austen Centre at Bath newsletter reports that Headline Book Publishing is offering readers the opportunity to have their comments about Jane Austen’s novels printed inside the cover of their new editions of the novels, about which we previously posted. If your comment is chosen, you will win a copy of the book. It is unclear if the blurb will be chosen randomly or by merit. To participate, send your blurb to Jane.Austen@headline.co.uk by 28th February 2006.

ETA: It occurs to us that one could come up with something truly hilarious…for instance, for P&P: “Middle-aged Austen whores will love this one!”

At last! A Jane Austen theatrical production in the Editrix’s neck of the woods! (Well, sort of–it’s an hour and a half drive away.)

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as part of their 2006 season. The play will be staged from October 17 to November 19 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University in Madison, NJ. There is very little information on the company’s Web site and no ticket price information as yet, but we will keep tabs on this very exciting news!

Thanks to our always-Alert Janeite Spy for this news!

The author who pseudonymously writes under the name Jude Morgan told the Evening Telegraph that his novel Indiscretion, set in Regency England, was inspired by Jane Austen.

His latest book, Indiscretion, is inspired by the works of Jane Austen and is set in Regency England.

Tim said: “One newspaper described it as an homage to Jane Austen and I suppose you could also call it a romantic comedy.”

He added: “Emma, by Jane Austen, is a book I could go back to again and again. I suppose that is the test of a really good book – if you never tire of it.”

Alert Janeite Jan wrote to tell us that PRIDE AND PREJUDICE received two awards from the London Film Critics’ Circle. Joe Wright received Best British Director and Tom Hollander received Best British Supporting Actor. Kelly Reilly received Best British Newcomer, though for her role in MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, not P&P.

Sally Smith O’Rourke wrote to clear up some confusion over her upcoming book, The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, related to a previously self-published novel by Michael O’Rourke, about which we previously posted.

Michael and I had written the book to give as gifts to friends and family and so had a couple hundred printed. We sold the remainder (after gifts) on Amazon (hence the website). After Mike died I decided to try and get it published as something of a memorial since he considered it the ultimate valentine because it was created out of the love we have for each other.

As you can see I did in fact sell it but they only wanted my name to appear on the cover. So the book is dedicated to him now.

This book is unrelated to a book with the same title by the Canadian novelist Ray Smith.