Jane Austen Writers' Club

‘Winning and beguiling ... Smith shares Jane Austen’s clarity and gentle irony’ IndependentJane Austen is one of the most beloved writers in the literary canon. Her 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: * Her foolproof guide to plotting a novel * The best ways to introduce, establish and develop characters * Her secret for building suspense * How to write sparkling dialogue * Using irony, ekphrasis and other clever devices * How best to live the writer’s life These techniques have been tried and tested by Rebecca Smith, who is none other than Jane Austen’s five-times-great-niece. The author of five books, she teaches creative writing at the University of Southampton and has been Writer in Residence at Jane Austen’s House Museum

Winning and beguiling ... Smith shares Jane Austen’s clarity and gentle irony, She’s the perfect English miniaturist, She’s wise, sharp, funny and touching ... A class act, Charming, funny, witty and romantic

Rebecca Smith teaches creative writing at the University of Southampton, and is the author of three novels: The Bluebird Café, Happy Birthday and All That and A Bit of Earth as well as a work of non-fiction, Jane Austen’s Guide to Modern Life’s Dilemmas. Her first novel for children, Shadow Eyes, was shortlisted for the 2012 Kelpies Prize. From 2009–2010 she was the Writer in Residence at Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton. She lives in Hampshire.@RMSmithAuthor