GIVEAWAY with Karin Quint and her book Jane Austen’s England

 I first saw this book on Kickstarter where Karin was trying to get funds to translated it from Dutch to English, I fell in love with it and knew we had to help make it happen and it did. After a successful campaign the book was translated and now it is being published  in a scrumptious edition in English – worldwide. It will be in stores very soon but you can be the lucky winner of this giveaway or pre-order on the link below. 

 Q&A: Karin Quint

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a 42-year old Dutch journalist and photographer from Tilburg, a city in the south of the Netherlands. I’m an avid reader, I love going to the movies, wish I visited the theater more often and enjoy walking. Since my first visit to England in the 1990’s I’m an anglophile. You can wake me up in the middle of the night for an afternoon tea, a good Victoria sponge cake – or any cake, basically.

How was your first encounter with Jane? Was it a movie or a book?

When I was a student in the 1990’s, I found a copy of Pride and Prejudice on a flea market – it was so cheap I just had to buy it. I had heard of Jane Austen, but wasn’t aware that Pride and Prejudice was one of the best-loved novels in English literature. When I started reading, I just couldn’t put it down, I HAD to find out what would happen to Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. I think it was one of the most satisfactory reading experiences I have ever had.

What’s your favorite Jane Austen novel?

It tends to vary. It used to be Pride and Prejudice because of its mesmerizing protagonist, the wit and humor and the pacing of the story. But since a few years, my favorite is Persuasion. I just love gentle and kind Anne Elliot, who gets a second chance at true love.

Darcy forever or do you have another favorite hero?

Hahaha! I love Darcy on the page, but I’m not sure I would like him very much in real life. Too moody for my taste. And all that money, I wouldn’t know what to do with it … No, I prefer the reasonable Mr. Knightly, always eager to help others, a perfect gentleman. I love how he struggles with his feelings for Emma but keeps them hidden and just gives Emma time and space to realize what her real feelings are.

How did the idea for your book guide come about?

As the webmaster of the Dutch website  janeausten.nl  I receive questions about all sorts of things relating to Jane. In the summer of 2012, I received an email from a father who wanted to take his two daughters on a Pride and Prejudice tour of England. He wanted my advice on which locations to visit. So, I wrote him a lengthy email back. While doing that, I suddenly wondered why there wasn’t a Jane Austen travel guide that included both the places where she lived and worked, and the filming locations from popular adaptations. After a sleepless night (I was so excited about the idea!) I decided to write one myself.

Favorite Darcy and favorite adaptation.

Colin Firth, no doubt about it. Although I did love Sam Riley in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I would have loved to see him in a ‘normal’ adaptation, he’s such a great actor. Pride and Prejudice 1995. I think it’s just perfect: the script, the actors, the costumes, everything!

Tell us what you want people to know about your book.

Jane Austen’s England is a true labour of love. I am a Janeite and I’ve written this book for all those other Janeites who are just as interested as me in where Jane lived, worked, shopped, visited, but who also want to know exactly where Colin Firth stood when he took that dive in the pond (which in fact he didn’t, as you’ll read in the book).

What’s the coolest thing that has happened to you since you started this Austen adventure?

The coolest thing was the support I received during my Kickstarter campaign to fund the translation of Jane Austen’s England from Dutch to English. It was really amazing that so many kind people from all over the world contributed to make this dream come true and I’m so very grateful! Without this crowdfunding it would have almost been impossible to find such an excellent English publisher like ACC Art Books, who is now distributing the book worldwide.

I have to mention you made wonderful videos for your Kickstarter campaign and with your permission given previously I will share it here and now. It’s hilarious. I think Jane would not smile, she would laugh out loud!

Tell us about being an ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.

As an enthusiastic reader, I know all about the joy and knowledge reading can bring. And as a professional writer, I understand the importance of being able to express yourself through writing. I truly can’t imagine a life without being able to read and write, but there are still communities where children do not get the opportunity to learn just that. The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation wants to change this, by funding e-readers and e-libraries for communities in need. It’s a great honor to be an ambassador for an organization whose goal is so close to my own heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about your experience in Alton at the Jane Regency Week meeting fellow ambassadors and fans! By the way it was lovely meeting you in person and also Odette Snell (both of us pictured above (for those who don’t know us, Odette is pictured with Karin on the left and I’m with her on the right).

It was amazing! I had no idea what to expect – it was my first time at this festival – but in a few hours I already felt we were and are all part of a big, international family! It was wonderful to meet people I’ve known for years online (like yourself, Rita!) and to participate in all the amazing events. There were only highlights, but my favourite was the picnic at Chawton House, organized by the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation. Lovely entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere. And I got to meet Susannah Harker, who played Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (1995) and who turned out to be just as kind and lovely as the fictional character she portrayed. She’s an ambassador as well, so I guess I could call her my colleague now 😉 ?

What’s next for you and your book?

I’m very excited that Jane Austen’s England will now find its way to Janeites all over the world. And of course I hope to meet many of them! This coming September I’ll be visiting the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. I’ll have a stall at the Festival Fayre on Saturday 14th. So for those who are going, come and say hi!

 

To learn more about the Jane Austen Festival in Bath this coming September click HERE!

If you don’t want to participate the giveaway and want to pre-order the book click on the link below.

Jane Austen’s England Pre-order

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY: ENDED

JANE AUSTEN’S ENGLAND by their also wonderful publisher ACC Art Books.

WINNER: Karylee Marin

Thanks to Karin Quint and ACC Art Books for this wonderful giveaway.  Karin, thank you for your time and all you do for us Janeites creating this amazing guide to JANE AUSTEN’S ENGLAND! Send us a video from Bath!

Warmly,

Rita L. Watts