Resolve to write for us in 2023

Happy new year! As the clock begins to tick on 2023, many of us will be thinking about what we might like to change or try out in the new year. Many of our Austen blog readers are not only keen readers, but also have writer-ly aspirations, they just need a little push in the right direction to get inspired. If you are waiting for a sign to put pen to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) in 2023, this is it! 

Whilst the Jane Austen Centre team love writing about all things Austen, it is the contributions of our readers around the world that really give the Austen Blog its unique character. Maybe you have a niche Regency interest, or are bursting to tell people how you feel about the latest Austen movie adaptation. Perhaps you're a student with aspirations of academic glory and are looking to dip your toe in publishing your writing. Whatever it is, we would love to hear from you. Here are some tips and tricks on how to get started. 

Our team have helpfully provided a page with all the basics on how to write an article for the Austen blog, including guidance on what kind of photos you can use. Please do include a photo with your blog if possible. We'd love to see your photography in particular. If you have a draft ready to go, send it to blogeditor@janeausten.co.uk with any images included as attachments. 

It is a truth universally acknowledged that our editor will delete the phrase 'It is a truth universally acknowledged' from the start of your article. It might sound a little harsh, but we get this a lot, and we really want your unique voice to shine through. Think about your relationship with Austen and what it is with her work, or the period, that really drives your interest. We love out-of-the-box and unconventional ideas.

Our editor Ellen is always excited to hear ideas for Austen articles. If you are at all anxious or uncertain about what you might like to write, send over a short pitch to her at blogeditor@janeausten.co.uk and she will let you know her thoughts and help you to flesh it out if you want some extra help. 

Whilst we are unable to provide any kind of payment for writing on our site, we would love to give you the opportunity to point our readers towards your other projects and writing. Remember to include a short ~100 word bio detailing your interest in Austen, as well as including links to any other work, websites or Etsy pages you would like to promote. 

So, you're not really an ideas person, but you still love Austen and want to get involved. That's definitely an option! There are new Jane Austen themed books, movies, TV shows and even board games coming out all the time, and we can't review them all themselves. If you would be keen to make a regular contribution to the blog and join our review team (which runs through Facebook groups), please do get in touch with a short paragraph about yourself. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm!