Hello, you budding writers out there! There are currently two Austen-related short story competitions up and running: – The Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest, hosted by Austenprose, the Republic of Pemberley, and Ballantine Books. Open to: US residents over 18. Length: 5000 words. Deadline: February 13. – Jane Austen Short Story [...]

As the Orchid Tour gets underway, I’ll be at the Borders at Bailey’s Crossroads in Virginia at 7:30 this Wednesday night, reading, answering questions, and signing The Orchid Affair. The Borders is located at 5871 Crossroads Center Way. Although the official event is in the evening, since I know that might be a bit of [...]

Hi, all! Now that The Orchid Affair is launched into the world (and onto your bookcases/Kindles/Nooks/etc.), I’m planning to host two discussion groups here on the website: a readers’ forum, for you all to discuss with each other, and an Ask the Author post, for any questions you might have for me. But first, I [...]

This gorgeous picture is from Carol, gardener extraordinaire: Lovely, no? Happy “Orchid” reading!

Actually, Austenprose made me do it. I am thrilled to announce that the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It, is slated for publication on October 11, 2011. If it has an Amazon listing, it must be true, right? My short story, A Night at Northanger, features a character we’re going to meet [...]

I challenge you to say that three times fast! I can’t decide whether it sounds more like a Western or a Sci Fi movie: The Wrath of Weekly Reading Round-Up! Don’t mind me. I’m just a little slap-happy from Orchid launch. Here’s some of what I’ve been reading: – Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax I [...]

Now that The Orchid Affair is out in the world, I’d like to introduce the Orchid-in-the-Wild Challenge. The goal? To get pictures of Orchid from all fifty states (extra bonus points for foreign countries!). You can take the picture in the bookstore, in your local library, cunningly arranged in your home, balanced on top of [...]

At long last, The Orchid Affair is finally here! If you’re in New York, come join me tonight in celebrating at 7:00 at the Borders on 57th & Park, where I’ll be reading from the book, telling silly stories about the research trip that led up to it, and answering any questions you care to [...]

There has been some confusion as to whether The Orchid Affair is available on Nook. Fear not! It is. You can find the Nookbook link here or by typing “lauren willig” or “orchid affair” into the B&N search engine. (It will be the second entry to pop up.) I have no idea why the hardcover [...]

Only one day until the release of The Orchid Affair! In the meantime, some new items have appeared on the website. To help while away the hours until Orchid, we now have: – Updated FAQs! If you were wondering what Pink IX is about, you can find it here. All the FAQ questions were taken [...]