Monthly Archives: July 2012

Austen’s Transition to Modern Adaptations

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Jane Austen’s works are often classified as “romances.” The assumption comes from the premise that if the heroine meets a handsome man in Chapter One, he must be the hero. Fitzwilliam Darcy is the romantic hero of Pride and Prejudice, … Continue reading →

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Ed Gein: The Real-Life Norman Bates

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Of late, I’ve spent a lot of research hours on grave robbing, especially as it was practiced during the early 1800s. The need for medical schools to rob graves of “fresh” corpses to use as cadavers is common knowledge, but … Continue reading →

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Henry VII, the First of the Tudors

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Henry VII came to the throne of England after defeating Richard III at Bosworth in 1485. With his accedence, England came into a long period of “National Pride.” The War of the Roses had weakened the nobility to the point … Continue reading →

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What Does Your eBook Reader Tell Publishers About Your Reading Habits?

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

IT TAKES THE AVERAGE READER JUST SEVEN HOURS TO READ THE FINAL BOOK IN SUZANNE COLLINS’S “HUNGER GAMES” TRILOGY ON THE KOBO E-READER—ABOUT 57 PAGES AN HOUR. NEARLY 18,000 KINDLE READERS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE SAME LINE FROM THE SECOND BOOK … Continue reading →

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10 Lessons on Publishing for Women Readers from “Fifty Shades of Grey”

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

It may be the season for blue skies and sunshine, but the color scheme for books this summer has one shade: grey. British writer E.L. James’ erotic trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed has surged up like a publishing … Continue reading →

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Think Twice Before You Self Publish

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

If there’s a common flaw in self-publishing, it’s that too many books are published too soon. Experienced voices across the publishing world continually advise self-publishers to get help with editing, and not just copyediting but story editing too. It’s difficult, … Continue reading →

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Of Water Nymphs and Mermaids – Have You Heard of These UK Legends?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Fairy maidens inhabiting the oceans, rivers, springs, meadows, woods, and wells are collectively known as nymphs. Nymphs resemble humans in height and overall appearance, but they are known for their enchanting beauty and seductive charms. According to most legends, water nymphs are … Continue reading →

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A Resurgence of Jane Austen

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

Several people believe that Colin Firth’s stellar two-year “flirt” with Oscar’s fame – first with a spectacular performance in “A Single Man” and then in “The King’s Speech” – has led to a resurgence of Jane Austen’s popularity. In the … Continue reading →

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The Movie “Becoming Jane” and Hidden References to Austen’s Novels

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

By Regina Jeffers Becoming Jane is an imaginative, romantic tale that captures Jane Austen’s spirit, while playing with the truth. Many of us who delve in Austen-inspired literature have written our own “what if” stories, but one must be able to … Continue reading →

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The Real Murder Behind William Boyd’s “Any Human Heart”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Regina Jeffers

In 1943 the richest man in the Bahamas was bludgeoned to death. Who was the murderer and what was the involvement of the Duke of Windsor? Intrigued by the case, William Boyd included it in his novel Any Human Heart, … Continue reading →

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