Behind the Scenes Story of Christina Boyd, Editor of The Darcy Monologues

Behind the Scenes Story of Christina Boyd, 

Editor of The Darcy Monologues

I would like to welcome Christina Boyd to Darcyholic Diversions.  I hope that you enjoy learning a bit more about the editor who is the brain and the quill behind The Darcy Monologues.  I am very excited about the book as it features so many of my favorite Austen inspired authors, many of whom are good friends.  Be sure to read to the end of the post to learn about all of the give aways that you have a chance in, as well as an exclusive give away for Darcyholic Diversions which will be drawn on May 2nd.  And here is Christina.....

Thank you, Barbara, for inviting me to share my story how The Darcy Monologues came to be. To nick Jane Austen's own words, "Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?” 

Since 1813, readers have loved Mr. Darcy. My own love affair with the master of Pemberley began when I discovered on-line Jane Austen fan fiction years ago when my now teenagers were toddlers. Why do we love him? As Pride and Prejudice is established through Elizabeth Bennet’s fine eyes, how are we to know his mind? How does Darcy progress from “She is tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt me” to “I thought only of you”? 

Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. —Chapter III, Pride and Prejudice.

And that is how Jane Austen first established the hero of Pride and Prejudice. With a succinct one line description, he garnered the attention of all in Meryton, not to mention every reader. But in the very next sentence, his proud and haughty manners proved to have turned all goodwill against him. Worse yet, he insulted our heroine, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, by stating he was “in no humor to give consequence to ladies slighted by other men.”

I love Elizabeth because she is unaffected by his wealth—rejecting his first marriage proposal—and eventually falling in love with him notwithstanding the spoils and splendor. Despite the manifold of faults against him, Darcy has estimable qualities that have stood the test of time. Darcy is flawed but willing to change. Further, I will be bold and state that I believe many of our book boyfriends are essentially Darcy in disguise. If I were to create a Venn diagram listing Darcy-like ideal traits—handsome, rich, powerful, cerebral, constant, cool-headed, honest, gallant—you might recognize Darcy in great literary and romantic heroes or film icons like Gilbert Blythe, John Thornton, Gabriel Emerson, Edward Cullen, Lloyd Dobbler, Jake Ryan, Richard Blaine, Gaston Lachaille, Mr. Big, Poldark… For me, I have always had a weakness for the rich, powerful, and handsome protagonist who improves for the love of an admirable woman.

Long before kindles and the upsurge of publishing Austen-inspired novels, I had long dreamt of a collection of stories all from my favorite Austen hero’s eyes. While editing fourteen books in the last four years, I frequently returned to that same idea of an all-Darcy collection—and finally decided last summer to make it happen. Yes, Pride and Prejudice has been told before from Darcy’s point-of-view by the talented Pamela Aidan, Stanley Hurd, Amanda Grange, Janet Aylmer, and Mary Street, to name a few—but with the many amazing Pride and Prejudice-inspired stories, I was also interested in reading his re-imagined stories in his own words…and I suspect that there might be a few other Darcyholics who also think as I do: there can never be too much Darcy.

When my dream team of Austenesque authors joined me in creating this collection, I knew I had a singular opportunity to collaborate on this collection of fifteen short stories. Each has written a complete story between 5000-15,000 words, and though all can be considered romance, there are no scenes that I wouldn’t be able to share with my teenage daughter or eighty-year-old mother-in-law. And yet, I am ever amazed how these writers can turn a phrase and turn up the heat. Have your fans handy—and even a few tissues!

These fifteen Austenesque writers, who I have either had the privilege to work with before or have simply been a loyal fan, have sketched Darcy’s character through a series of re-imaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times—from faithful narratives to the fanciful. The man himself reveals his intimate thoughts, his passionate dreams, and his journey to love—all with a previously concealed wit and enduring charm.

Stories by: Susan Adriani * Sara Angelini * J. Marie Croft * Karen M Cox * Jan Hahn * Jenetta James * Lory Lilian * KaraLynne Mackrory * Beau North * Ruth Phillips Oakland * Natalie Richards * Sophia Rose * Joana Starnes * Melanie Stanford * Caitlin Williams

“The only way to get a man like Mr. Darcy is to make him up.” —‘Jane Austen’ fictionalized in Miss Austen Regrets (BBC, 2008). And thank heavens, the real Miss Austen created him. The ladies from The Darcy Monologues invite you to spend some quality time inside the head of this enigmatic hero and get to know him on more intimate terms. And as we pay homage to Jane Austen on the bicentennial of her death, it is our hope that these 409 pages help extend the moments with a most beloved character. “It’s your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy.”

                                                                                                           — Christina Boyd

N.B. The Darcy Monologues, a short story collection edited and published under my own banner, The Quill Ink, is available in trade paperback and e-book format May 21, 2017. This anthology, inspired by Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy, features fifteen never-before published stories by some of my favorite (and hopefully yours too) Jane Austen-inspired authors—all bound by their esteem of the literary world’s ultimate catch. Pre-Order Link:​ ​Amazon US

I am offering a giveaway of 10 notecards designed by JT Originals, “A Walk in the Woods”. To be entered to win, simply add the anthology to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads or comment below. I am all curious as to what intrigues you most about The Darcy Monologues?

Many thanks!

(Also see information about the grand prize below)

Christina Boyd wears many hats as she is an editor under her own banner The Quill Ink, a contributor to Austenprose, and a ceramicist and proprietor of Stir Crazy Mama’s Artworks. A life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Christina lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her dear Mr. B, two busy teenagers, and a retriever named BiBi. Visiting Jane Austen's England was made possible by her book boyfriend and star crush Henry Cavill when she won a trip to meet him on the London Eye in the spring of 2017.

Pre-Order Link:​ ​Amazon US

 Book Description

“You must allow me to tell you...”

 

For over two hundred years, Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy has captivated readers’ imaginations as the ultimate catch. Rich. Powerful. Noble. Handsome. And yet, as Miss Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is established through Elizabeth Bennet’s fine eyes, how are we to know what his tortured soul is indeed thinking? How does Darcy progress from “She is tolerable: but not handsome enough to tempt m​ e​” to “I thought only of

you​”? 

 

In this romance anthology, fifteen Austen-inspired authors assemble to sketch Darcy’s character through a series of re-imaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times—from faithful narratives to the fanciful. Herein “The Darcy Monologues”, the man himself reveals his intimate thoughts, his passionate dreams, and his journey to love—all told with a previously concealed wit and enduring charm. 

 

Stories by: Susan Adriani * Sara Angelini * J. Marie Croft * Karen M Cox * Jan Hahn *

  

Jenetta James * Lory Lilian * KaraLynne Mackrory * Beau North * Ruth Phillips Oakland * Natalie Richards * Sophia Rose * Joana Starnes * Melanie Stanford * Caitlin Williams

Blog Tour Giveaways

In addition to the notecards for this blog stop at Darcyholic Diversions, there will be two special blog tour giveaways.

One winner will win our grand prize of 24 paperback books, each one autographed by the author, and mailed to the winner’s home. Please see the enclosed graphic for the list of books included in this giveaway. 

 

The second winner will win their choice of either a P​ride and Prejudice ​pocketbook or​ a P​ride and Prejudice ​Kindle Fire Case with stand​ - Pride and Prejudice Book Cover Case for Amazon Kindle Fire 7" and 6" - Kindle Fire / Fire HD / Fire HDX tablet. Please see that attached graphic for these choices. All giveaways are international.

 ​Use This Link To Enter The Raffle for the Grand Prize of 24 Signed Copies of Jane Austen Inspired Books

The Darcy Monologues ​Continuing Blog Tour Schedule 

April 24 / Margie’s Must Reads / Book Review & Giveaway

May 1 / From Pemberley to Milton / Book Review & Giveaway

May 8 / Just Jane 1813 / Excerpt Post & Giveaway

May 15 / Austenesque Reviews / Book Review & Giveaway

May 22 / Austenesque Reviews / Guest Post & Giveaway

May 25 / Of Pens and Pages / Book Review & Giveaway

May 29 / More Agreeably Engaged / Book Review & Giveaway

June 5 / So Little Time / Book Excerpt & Giveaway

June 12 / Diary of an Eccentric/ Book Review & Giveaway

June 19 / Book Lover in Florida / Book Excerpt & Giveaway

June 26 / My Vices and Weaknesses / Book Review & Giveaway

July 3 / Savvy Verse & Wit / Book Review & Giveaway

Spotify Playlist

Each author has contributed a song based on her story for this Spotify playlist. 

"The Darcy Monologues" Playlist

 ​The Darcy Monologues Pinterest Board

To follow us on Twitter, use the hashtag, #TheDarcyMonologues.