McCalling all Austen Fans!

The lovely people at the International Literature Festival Dublin, have once again agreed to offer JASI members a concession price for their Alexander McCall Smith talk on Thursday 21st May at 8pm in The Main Space, Smock Alley, Dublin.

 His adaptation of 'Emma' has just been published in paperback, so I know that many of you will be keen to hear him speak and attend the book-signing afterwards. Here is the blurb: 'It’s 15 years since The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency introduced the world to Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s leading (in fact, only) female PI.

Since then her creator, Alexander McCall Smith, has become one of the UK’s best-loved authors, selling over 20 million books, launching several successful new series (including Scotland Street), and becoming perhaps the second most famous resident of Edinburgh’s New Town (where JK Rowling also lives). In this special event, McCall Smith comes to Dublin to talk about the characters and themes that have won him millions of readers all over the world.' Tickets cost €12 but for JASI members are €10.

You will find the concession code on the most recent issue of The Austen Gazette.  Enjoy!

Want to Win an Austen Hamper of Delights?

Some lucky person will take home this impressive Austen Hamper at the end of our literary event at the Law Society this May, consisting of incomparable novels, by Austen and others, Deirdre Le Faye's renowned collection of Austen's letters, plus a beautiful annotated edition of 'Persuasion'.

The hamper also boasts the latest adaptations of Austen's classics, by the likes of Joanna Trollope and  P.D. James ; as well as a Jane Austen mug, a delicious bottle of wine and box of chocolates.  You certainly will feel pampered with this prize.

But especially exciting is that it will contain no less than two recent publications, signed by the author themselves: Jo Baker's 'Longbourn', and Lisa Pliscou's 'Young Jane Austen' . Now that is exciting!
The hamper will be raffled off at the 'Austen Meets Jo Baker' event at the Law Society, Dublin, on May 9th.  See the link on the right for details.  Tickets will go on sale on the day.

Good luck to all who enter!

 * The final choice of books / wine/ chocolate etc. contained in the final hamper may differ slightly from those in the image published here - but will be fabulous!