The Stories of Scott D. Southard

August 29, 2013

New WKAR Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of its publication and as part of the #AustenInAugust events taking place online, this week’s book review is on none other than Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice!

You can listen to the stream of my book review via this link (http://wkar.org/post/book-review-200th-anniversary-pride-and-prejudice) or read below, after the jump.

Also, as noted in an earlier post, I have an article on Jane Austen and my inspiration for my Miss Austen in A Jane Austen Daydream on the website RoofBeamReader.com today. You can also enter to win an autographed copy of A Jane Austen Daydream. You can learn more here. (more…)
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August 29, 2013

Book Giveaway and Guest Post for #AustenInAugustRBR
As part of the “Austen in August” literary events, I have a guest post on RoofBeamReader.com, which you can read here! It is about how I found the character of Jane Austen for my A Jane Austen Daydream while visiting the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton. I hope you will check it out.

Also, there is a giveaway to win an autographed copy of A Jane Austen Daydream! To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment under the post on that site.

You can check out the article and learn more about the giveaway on RoofBeamReader.com here.

I hope you enjoy the post and good luck!
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August 27, 2013

“A great achievement” New book review and interview for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
Author and blogger Christoph Fischer has recently given a wonderful review for my new novel A Jane Austen Daydream. Here is an excerpt:

An excellent concept and a great achievement, a must read for Austen fans open for a playful read and those who wish Austen had written more. This is like a little welcome encore for us fans.

I also agreed to be interviewed about the book and my writing. It was a very interesting interview with some fun and serious questions mixed in. This was my response to the question about how the idea of the book came to me:

It was in reading a biography on her that I realized how little her life actually mirrored her books. She did not have a Darcy waiting for her at home, and died far too young and only with her sister and mother for company. So at the heart of A Jane Austen Daydream is my hope to give Jane an adventure she might have wanted for herself… with a few post-modern twists to it. The big twist in the book (which I won’t ruin here) actually grew out of a joke I made once. I still can’t believe I had the guts to do it. But there you go, it’s out there now forever. Let’s see what happens.

You can read the complete review and interview on Christoph’s website here. I hope you will check it out. If you would like to learn more about A Jane Austen Daydream, you can do so on this page for the book (here). A Jane Austen Daydream is available via Amazon (here), where you can find it for the low price of $3.99 for eBook and $13.46 for print.
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August 16, 2013

“Go get it!” Julie Valerie’s Book Blog gives A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM 5-Stars! Review, Interview and Excerpt.
Book reviewer and book blogger extraordinaire Julie Valerie has just given a wonderful review for my novel A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM. I am really flattered by it (and a little overwhelmed). Here is an excerpt from the review about the book:

A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM by Scott Southard, a fictionalized account of Jane’s life, is a book that should be placed on the shelf of every book-loving fan of Jane Austen because she’s absolutely “alive” on the pages of this book. She walks, talks, dreams. Her family (especially her older sister, Cassandra) moves about influencing Jane and the events around her. You’ll find a hauntingly accurate reading from a gypsy who predicts Jane will never die. (Through her words, I believe she is immortal.) And with Jane, you’ll explore love and explore deeper the age-old question: Did Jane ever find love in her own life?

I also gave an interview for the site that you can read below the review. We talk not just about the writing of the book, but also about my blog and my other books. Here is an excerpt:

Like the voice, I also had to walk a line between how “Austen” to go in it. Yes, the book can be considered a treasure hunt for the Austenities, but I also like to imagine that it is unique enough to be entertaining for those outside the Darcy fan clubs. At the heart of it, it is still my book, and I couldn’t help putting in fun post-modern twists and turns (including one very new literary surprise which I won’t ruin here).

You can read the review, the interview and an excerpt from the novel on Julie’s website here. I hope you will check it out.

If you would like to learn more about A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, you can do so on this page for the book (https://sdsouthard.com/a-jane-austen-daydream/). A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is available via Amazon (http://amzn.com/0983671923) where you can find it for the low price of $3.99 for eBook and $13.46 for print.
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July 11, 2013

“With a sharp knife.” Read an excerpt from the new A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
“I consider this novel one of the best not only in regency era literature, but also in mainstream fiction.” -NovelTravelist.com

Today I am happy to share an excerpt from my new novel A Jane Austen Daydream. A Jane Austen Daydream is a re-imagining of Miss Austen’s life as a work of fiction, influenced more by her own novels than what reality decided to give her, filled with love, rogues, heartache, adventures and a lot of wit… as well as a few new post-modern literary surprises.

Published by Madison Street Publishing, it can be purchased in print and as an eBook for only $3.99 via amazon here.

–

From Chapter III of A Jane Austen Daydream

“Cassandra,” Jane sighed, “you must take part in the play. I could never dream of opening the curtain without you by my side. Charles and I put your name on the poster; the posters alone would be ruined.”

“Please, do not tease me like that, Jane. I do not dare be seen in public right now. I am uncertain what it will do to my heart. Can you imagine all the attention that we will get because of this dance?” As if expecting a crowd of onlookers to appear over the horizon, Cassandra looked behind herself to make sure that they still had privacy on their walk.

No matter how exaggerated Cassandra’s concerns, she did have a point, and it was for this reason that the two sisters made a pact not to travel into town for a full week. So on this day, they were on a hike, making sure to walk away from Steventon rather than towards it.

Cassandra almost tripped and Jane caught her.

“You will not be on the stage, dear sister,” Jane said, helping her sister to stand up. “Lady Hampton will be on the stage. You will be in character and Hampton is a wonderful character, if I can compliment my own writing. If it makes you feel better, I will be dressed as a man for most of my appearances. I was to wear a mustache, but I promised it to Charles.” (more…)
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July 9, 2013

Finding Jane’s Voice
We love to put our heroes on pedestals.

This is as true for writers and readers as it is for anyone else. Yet, in the world of literature it also feels more than the popular “don’t speak ill of the dead” rule we all follow at funerals. In literature, we seem to recreate authors as saints. For example, we think of Charles Dickens as the celebrator of Christmas and fighter against children labor and poverty… before we think of how awfully he treated his children and first wife.

You need all sides of a person, the good and the bad, to get any clear picture of the individual, and for hundreds of years now we have looked at Jane Austen through a hazy lens. There are many reasons for this and part of it is, frankly, we have no choice.

We all know the story of how her sister (Cassandra) destroyed letters and manuscripts upon her death (and what a loss that action was to all future biographers and fans), but the Austen clan was a family on the rise, concerned with its image. That is very obvious when you read the only biography from someone who actually knew Miss Jane Austen, her nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh—a very carefully constructed memoir where image was at the forefront of James’ mind. In many ways, the book is more an insight into the Austen clan than into Jane and her amazing legacy and life experience.  Don’t speak ill of the dead? Indeed, and don’t let her make us look bad either while we are at it, it seems. (more…)
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July 1, 2013

Free eBook! The new book A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is free for a limited time!
This July 1st and 2nd, the publisher of A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM is sharing it as a free eBook on amazon!

“I consider this novel one of the best not only in regency era literature, but also in mainstream fiction.” -NovelTravelist.com

The free eBook (for a very limited time) can be found on amazon.com here (http://amzn.com/B00CH3HQUU), in England here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CH3HQUU), and in Canada here (http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00CH3HQUU).

“If asked to sum up this book in one word, I would have to choose “unpredictable”… you will, in the end, be rewarded by a quick paced novel unlike any you can ever have read, which injects new ideas and possibilities into the world of Jane Austen.” -The Jane Austen Centre

Pick up your free copy today! Here is the description of the work from the back cover:

All her heroines find love in the end–but is there love waiting for Jane?

Jane Austen spends her days writing and matchmaking in the small countryside village of Steventon, until a ball at Godmersham Park propels her into a new world where she yearns for a romance of her own. But whether her heart will settle on a young lawyer, a clever Reverend, a wealthy childhood friend, or a mysterious stranger is anyone’s guess.

Written in the style of Jane herself, this novel ponders the question faced by many devoted readers over the years–did she ever find love? Weaving fact with fiction, it re-imagines her life, using her own stories to fill in the gaps left by history and showing that all of us–to a greater or lesser degree–are head over heels for Jane.

“…universally charming… a love letter to all of her novels… when we need a tale that makes us laugh and hope for love we read Austen. Now I will also read Southard. I hope you will too.” -AustenHill.com

And if you do take advantage of this very limited offer for A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, please consider…
- Telling a friend
- Choosing it for your book club
- Writing a review or a blog post about it
- Suggesting it to your local library
- Tweeting about it, sharing it on Facebook, or recommending it on GoodReads
- Checking out my other new books, including the new MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE (Available on amazon in print and eBook- just 3.99).
I would love for more readers to find the work. I am very proud of it and I believe it has something new and surprising for everyone, even those not inclined towards Miss Austen.

“This is a must read for any Jane Austen fan. And it’s a perfect summer read for anyone.” -Definitely Not for the Birds.
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June 18, 2013

The Others and the Extras: The Importance of Secondary Characters
Oh, the lament of the poor minor character!

Pushed to the sidelines, knowing full well that they are not the focus of the story.

Love is probably not in the cards for them. They are the ones injured in the line of duty or acting as living joke. Characters created merely to be a soundboard for the main characters, or something for the reader to compare the main character to in the universe of the story. A tool, nothing more.

It would be a thankless life, I am sure, if they were real. Probably spent at the refreshment table, trying not to fall asleep as they wait for their big moment in the sun. And then the scene arrives, there are a few quick jokes, maybe a heart-to-heart and then they are back at the table, once again snacking on one too many cookies. Waiting… always waiting.

Everything about the secondary character revolves around the main character. An existence built solely around another’s experiences. Even if a secondary character dies, it is a moment for the main character to reflect upon their own life decisions… unless they are an evil secondary character than usually they are left on the floor somewhere, discarded, a bloody remain for someone else to find later (but we never read about or see that bit in movies or television).

Yet, for me, the secondary characters are important; because like a missed plot point, an awkward description, or a writing oops, they have the power to rip me out of a story, leaving me on the sidelines of a tale just like them. (more…)
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June 10, 2013

“Funny and poignant. Very Jane Austen.” Rabid Readers Reviews A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM
Rabid Readers has just reviewed A Jane Austen Daydream! It is a fun review, and it’s not often that someone mentions your looks in a review. Ha! You will have to see what I mean by clicking here. But for a snippet, here is a bit about the book:

A Jane Austen Daydream is a wonderfully fun novel that is a must read for fans of Jane Austen. If you’re not a fan, give this book a shot and I’m willing to bet you will come away a convert… Cleverly written and well plotted, A Jane Austen Daydream should make any summer reading list. Pick it up and then let me know what you think.

You can read the rest of the great review here.

A Jane Austen Daydream is available via amazon.com where you can find it in print for just $13.85 in print and only $3.99 for the eBook. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/0983671923

Thanks for reading!
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June 3, 2013

“Finding Jane’s Voice” A Guest Post and Book Giveaway on Indie Jane
Today I am honored to have an exclusive post on Indie Jane celebrating the release of my novel A Jane Austen Daydream. The Post is called “Finding Jane’s Voice: Creating A Jane Austen Daydream.” Here is an excerpt from the beginning of my new article:

We love to put our heroes on pedestals.

 This is as true for writers and readers as it is for anyone else. Yet, in the world of literature it also feels more than the popular “don’t speak ill of the dead” rule we all follow at funerals. In literature, we seem to recreate authors as saints. For example, we think of Charles Dickens as the celebrator of Christmas and fighter against children labor and poverty… before we think of how awfully he treated his children and first wife.

 You need all sides of a person, the good and the bad, to get any clear picture of the individual, and for hundreds of years now we have looked at Jane Austen through a hazy lens. There are many reasons for this and part of it is, frankly, we have no choice.

You can read the rest of my article here.

ALSO, there is a book giveaway for A Jane Austen Daydream on the page! One lucky reader will win an eBook copy of my new book! You can enter right below the article.

A Jane Austen Daydream is available via amazon.com where you can find it in print for just $13.85 in print and only $3.99 for the eBook. Here is the link: http://amzn.com/0983671923

I hope you enjoy the new writing post (and my book)
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