I am very excited to welcome Claire Johnson, author of a recently released Austen-inspired novel titled, Pen and Prejudice to Austenesque Reviews today! Changing it up from her first two novels which are mysteries that take place in the San Francisco area, Claire pens a unique homage to Pride and Prejudice with her novel about the publishing industry, mystery conventions, divorcees, and first impressions. Claire has graciously agreed to answer my burning questions about Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice and her new release, Pen and Prejudice!
Since you may be a relatively new author to some of my readers, how about we start off 
with you telling us a little bit about yourself, Claire. When and where did you first encounter Jane Austen?
Oh, maybe when I was thirteen? I re-read all of the novels at least once a year. When I was growing up, reading was akin to breathing. There were always tons of books in the house, and when I’d exhausted all the potential reads in my parents’ personal bookshelves, there was the library. I like the scrappy heroines. When I was a kid, Caddie Woodlawn and Jo March were personal favorites. It’s no surprise then when I got older, I would turn to the Austen heroines for my reading pleasure.
I’ve been writing professionally for the last fifteen years. I have a mystery series out that features a pastry chef protagonist–I used to be a professional pastry chef. But I wanted to write a book about relatively unknown genre writers like myself, who struggle to raise kids, work jobs, and yet maintain their identity, where you are not just a cog in a wheel or someone’s mother without a name. I know so many women for whom writing is about maintaining a personal identity.
There are some interesting parallels between the dynamics of publishing showcased Pen and Prejudice versus the 19th-century marriage market of Pride and Prejudice. And I think that is what is so key to why Jane Austen is so popular. Her novels are populated with women who maintain their identities despite the cards stacked up against them, regardless of what century you are in. These women do not have their choices made for them. They choose. Even someone as passive as Fanny Price refuses to submit to a most ill-advised marriage, even though her personal sense of duty is profound. Her sense of self still triumphs over what some would call an insane sense of duty.
Very true, I think that’s what makes Jane Austen’s so timeless and accessible to all cultures and generations. What else inspires you about Jane Austen’s novels and characters? What inspired you to write Pen and Prejudice?
Jane Austen’s novels are primarily character studies. I don’t think there is a saucier minx to be found in literature than Mary Crawford, the most odious woman is “Aunt” Norris, and the most delightful heroine is Elizabeth Bennet. The plots are all the same, a young woman of limited means, but whose intelligence and acumen isolates. Of course, Emma Woodhouse is both brilliant and obtuse, and for me that tension, the most perfect example of the unreliable narrator in ALL of literature, is yet one more reason why I love that book so much.
I am primarily a character-driven writer. I think most plots can be fixed, but if you don’t have a wonderful character holding up the building blocks of your plot, then as a writer you are merely a mechanic. Character development, however, can hold up a mediocre plot with such slight of hand that you don’t really realize that, hmmm, this plot doesn’t hold together very well. Obviously, Jane Austen’s plots are more or less the same, but none of the characters are the same. They are all completely different from each other, well formed, beautifully nuanced, and all compelling beyond belief.
I think that part of the appeal is that none of these women are powerful. They don’t have money (with the exception of Emma who has means but is just as powerless because of her sense of duty to her father), and they are often on the edges of society. Even Emma is someone on the edge of society because there are so few appropriate peers in a society where class division was immutable. For many reasons these women are someone to dance with but certainly not consider marrying. And yet they are the guiding lights in the novel.
I wrote Pen and Prejudice partly because I wanted to try my hand at a “fanfiction” type of treatment, and also because of my own experience as a genre writer and the many parallels that I found in the publishing world and in the marriage market world of Jane Austen. As authors we must wait for the publishing gods to anoint us with contracts, and women in Austen’s time had to wait for someone to ask them to marry them or suffer the stigma of spinsterhood. In many ways, we are both so powerless, even as smart and as capable as we are.
I love the parallels, very clever! I also enjoyed all the discussions and debates your characters had about writing, the publishing industry, agents, and their novels. What is your personal take on the publishing industry?
The publishing industry right now is in chaos. Amazon is a juggernaut that is challenging the old-fashioned paradigm (and winning). I know so many authors who find themselves self-publishing because their publishers have dropped them as imprints within publishing houses are eliminated and traditional publishers are hunkering down and putting all their eggs very few baskets. They are looking for blockbusters. They aren’t looking for authors like me. Sadly, what I find is that the quality of books has suffered. Most books aren’t edited anymore, and by that I mean evaluated for content. They certainly aren’t edited for grammar, and sometimes it doesn’t even look like these books have been spell checked. It is about getting out a book a year. And while the opportunity to self-publish is now more of a reality, unless you are willing to devote a sizable amount of time to feeding the media, i.e., Facebook, Twitter, and tumblr, then I don’t see how you can possibly succeed. You need to feed social media for at least an hour a day. That’s my time to write. I think that if you are media savvy, then self-publishing is a fantastic opportunity. Sadly, as the traditional publishing market paradigm continues to erode, then mid-list authors like myself find more and more doors closing, and self-publishing is often the only route available. Ergo, why I self-published this book. I shopped it around for over a year, and while many agents were interested, they just didn’t know how to market it to publishers. So rather than let it sit on my hard drive, I decided to publish it myself.
I am so glad you did self-publish!! Having written both mysteries and Austenesque fiction would you ever combine the two and write mysteries about Jane Austen’s characters? If so, which characters would you delight in killing off?
I love Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen mysteries, and I don’t think I could possibly do a better job than she has done. I find her stuff just wonderful. But if I were willing to kill someone off, I would have Maria Bertram in the docket for killing Aunt Norris. That would be problematic because I would have to have my detective prove her innocent, and yet I also dislike Maria Bertram so much that I would want her to be guilty.
No worries, Claire, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting that…LOL! What is next for you, Claire? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I’m writing a new adult novel, which features lots of swearing and sex. I doubt your readers would like that book at all. But I’ve also been plotting out another book that is “fanfiction” of Mansfield Park set in academia. With Fanny Price as a downtrodden PhD candidate who everyone ignores and dumps.
Yes, Fanny needs some love! Very interested in that! How about we switch it up with some Quickfire Questions:
– What is one of your favorite scenes from Pride and Prejudice?
Easy peasy: The confrontation between Darcy and Elizabeth when he proposes to her and she rejects him!
– What is one of your favorite scenes from Pen and Prejudice?
At the end, when she’s in this ridiculous dress, nearly being smothered by yards and yards of taffeta, and they are kissing underneath a table, hidden by the tablecloth.
– What do you love most about Pride and Prejudice?
Elizabeth’s intelligence and that she’s not afraid to hide it.
– What do you love most about Mr. Darcy?
That such a proud man is humbled by his love for her.
– What is your favorite pie or pastry to make?
I am, if I do say so myself, a GODDESS at making pies, my favorite dessert bar none. Apple and butterscotch are personal favorites.
– If you could have dinner with any author (alive or dead) who would it be?
Surely, you’re joking!
– What is your “truth universally acknowledged?”
I think Fanny Price said it best: “We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.”
– If you were to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say?
I would love to hear her read the first paragraph of Pride and Prejudice.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Claire has kindly offered some lovely treats for me to give away in conjunction with her visit!! The two prizes include a paperback bundle of each of Claire’s novels – Beat Until Stiff, Roux Morgue, and Pen and Prejudice – and another paperback of Pen and Prejudice for me to give away to 2 lucky winners!!!
To enter this giveaway, leave a question, a comment, or some love for Claire below!
- This giveaway is open to residents in the US and CANADA! Thank you, Claire!
- This giveaway ends September 1st!
For another entry, leave a comment on my review of Pen and Prejudice! (post going up on Wednesday)
What a delightful interview–it’s always a treat to learn something about the thinking behind someone’s novel, and this one especially touched me on a variety of levels. First of all, what you said, Claire, about “part of the appeal is that none of these women are powerful”: that’s always been my sense as well of what Jane Austen’s characters are really about. How do you maintain your integrity, your sense of self, in a world where you have no power? And then to set the story in the world of publishing–I live on both sides of that fence, as a copy editor (a dying profession) and as a fellow scribbler of genre fiction–so that puts your book on a must-read list for me! Good luck with it!
Thank you for the wonderful interview! It was so interesting to read about the current condition of publishing. I look forward to reading your books, and thank you for the giveaway.
I enjoyed this interview and look forward to reading Pen and Prejudice particularly!
Thank you for the giveaway!
It is depressing to read about the state of the publishing market. but I wish that self published books were better edited, I have given up on quite a few books because of the mistakes, it surely can’t be that difficult to find someone to proof read it. Anyway, looking forward to discovering your books
Very interested in pursuing the self publication thread within the state of the publishing industry today. I too have noticed the lack of editing in many self published books and within the past year have been doing some editing for JAFF authors. Just doing my bit to make the reading process more pleasurable!
I am not entering for the giveaway as I am outside US, but I just wanted to comment on how interesting the Amazon/self publishing part of your piece was. It’s such a difficult one isn’t it. I had only really considered self-publishing from the point of view of a reader – as you say, it can be a mixed bag, there are some people who obviously get their books checked for errors and well-edited and there are those that don’t and really should! Until you’ve tried a book by an author you have no idea of the quality of it. The side which hadn’t occurred to me is the publicity part of it. I find most of my book recommendations through blogs and online book groups but obviously these are all books which already have momentum, and for an author who is new to a genre getting momentum must take masses of time without a publisher to do it for you. All the best with your books!
OMG! I am so stupid. I just realized there is a reply button! Sigh. Technology undermines me every step of the way. I was on a panel at a mystery conference last March that focused on self-publishing and I felt like such a fraud. Everyone on that panel were gods at working social media. I, um, am not. I find it really hard to promote myself. I am HORRIBLE at it. But I worked like a dog on this book, and wanted it to have an audience, no matter how small. It does takes masses of time to do it well. I think that authors who already have a backlist are in much better shape in terms of marketing. They have a history. I can’t imagine trying to break into this market without having any backlist. It’s a daunting prospect.
How very interesting, thanks for all the information – most informative and helpful!
Congrats on the new release. Of course I’m interested in reading Pen and Prejudice, but I’d love to check out our other series with a professional chef. I’ve been following a few other mystery series over the years that have professional bakers or caterers as leads and have loved the chef/food/crime solver combo.
Interestingly, I wrote those mysteries a few years ago, but now there seems to be an enormous surge of interest in cooking mysteries lately. I was among the first (with Joanne Pence and Sandra Fluke) and something of any outlier at the time. I’m sure my publisher appreciates it! Thanks!
Fascinating interview! It explained a lot! Good luck with your books. I look forward to reading them and thanks for the giveaway.
I do believe that in my husband’s dreams I am a pastry chef. He LOVES fruit pies. We live at almost 9’000 ft. elevation and baking is troublesome. What wonderful skills you have. I will have to get Pen & Prejudice. Is there a Pie & Prejudice in the making? (Pun intended!)
I feel your pain. Baking at high elevations is really challenging. Pie, however, is immune to height! I’ve found with food that simple is always the best.
That is interesting about setting the story in the publishing industry. I love learning about that end of books too. Very cool that you’re a pastry chef and writer, yummy products either way.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, Claire!
I enjoy this interesting and lovely interview. Learning about the author and publishing is fascinating. Congratulations and best wishes. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Congratulations on your book, Claire—that’s a lovely cover! I like your ideas for Mansfield Park.
Thanks for sharing this interview!
My sister did the cover! She’s a professional graphic artist. I love it.
I am always grateful to those self-published authors who take the time and effort to really edit and research their books! I never really thought about how hard and time consuming it might be to get your book out there via social media if you’re not a techie.
Thanks for the chance to win! And I love the cover, too, btw.
I love mysteries so it’s nice to hear that you wrote some. I remember the Caddie Woodlawn book from when I was a kid. I picked up a copy at a used book sale once a few years back. I always enjoy hearing authors talk about books.
I am not entering the giveaway as I already own all three. Wanted to just support Claire and encourage more of her writing.
Thank you, Karen. Much appreciated!
@Abigail. The decline of quality in fiction is a sore point with me. it hasn’t seem to have affected the non-fiction market, which still seems to be rigorously edited (and copyedited!), but fiction? My husband makes a point of putting little post-its on the pages with grammatical and spelling errors in every book he reads and inevitably there is an army of these little suckers protruding beyond the pages. What I find so discouraging are the books that are close to being great but probably needed another rewrite, but given the demands that an author put out a book a year, how can you write a really great book in three-four months? Even as readers clamor for cheaper books (and amazon is more than happy to oblige them), then how are those of us who want a well-written, COPYEDITED book suppose to find decent fiction? If crappy books are selling, then what is the impetus for the self-publishing market to follow suit and put out a polished product? It’s a downward spiral. There are so many issues here. I applaud the ability to self-publish and the stigma associated with it is lessening, but at the same time, I don’t think it does any of us favors to put out a book that isn’t put through some sort of editing process (or at least spellcheck!).
Yes, the lack of editing is very painful to me, though I understand the relentless economics of it. I’ve always read with a pencil in my hand, and virtually all of the books in my collection have corrections here and there (if the corrections are everywhere, I can’t keep the book). When I started my career it used to be only that mass-market paperbacks weren’t competently proofread; now it’s much worse. I still find regular employment as a freelance editor, but that’s mostly because I learned cookbook editing at one point; my academic press clients can afford to send me only one or two books a year. My love of JAFF is such that I once e-mailed a writer who had published the first volume of a trilogy, offering to copyedit the next two books in the series for free! I loved the concept, but the errors robbed the story of much of its pleasure. She did not reply, but she did eventually find a good editor.
@Vesper: You and me both. I am actually willing to give self-published authors something of a pass because it’s expensive to hire good copyeditors, never mind a good content editor. These are “services” that traditional publishers used to do because that was what was part of the process. But when the gigantic mergers of publishing companies happened, oh, I want to say, about ten years ago, we were left with basically the giant three in New York, and then smaller pressed like Poisoned Pen who publishes my mysteries. A majority of the editors were let go, and what you are left with is, basically, a marketing staff. That is what editors largely do these days. Determine what will sell. Present numbers to bean counters to “sell” a book to a bunch of accountants. There is no courting of an author these days, seeing them through four books until they write that “break-out” book. It is now a two-book deal. Make your numbers or else. Based on what I have read in the last six months, the editorial process is, I have to conclude, non-existent. It’s very discouraging and irritating. I often buy books in hardcover to support my fellow authors, and while I don’t mind spending $25 on a good book, I resent spending that money on a book I consider half-finished with implausible plot lines and erratic characterization. Now I sound like a crank. Must go read Emma to restore my good humor
@Regina Writing is such a solitary endeavor. Our brains are strange and wonderful places, but sometimes there is more emphasis on the strange than the wonderful. I can’t stress enough how important it is for others to “vet” your work, and to have it gone over by a professional is, IMO, really important.
It sounds great!
Hi, Claire. Enjoyed the interview and happy to see you are still writing. Pen and Prejudice sounds like an interesting book. Keep up the good work.
Great interview ladies… I’ve only started reading ) P&P fan fiction for over a year and I would have to thank all the authors for sharing their stories through sequels, adaptions, variations, etc… I’m a bit old school and prefer holding a book while reading, but do appreciate the electronic device where you can look up a word you don’t know or bring several books with you on a trip without weighing down your luggage.
I never considered how difficult it is to get something published so I’m glad you went the self publishing route so more people can enjoy your work. I’m looking forward to reading your novel. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
I look forward to reading Pen and Prejudice, very intriguing. Thank you for sharing your time!
Great interview. Books were my air growing up as well. I read everything I could get my hands on but nothing has compared to Jane Austen. Her work is timeless. I look forward to reading your book.
Hi Claire, thank you for the wonderful and entertaining interview! As a struggling writer myself, I appreciate your answer and honesty on self publishing. While I do think self publishing is a boon for unknowns, I agree with you that quality has been severely compromised. And it’s sad that publishers are having to cut the “smaller” authors loose in search of the blockbusters.
I am thrilled to find a new Austenesque author and look forward to your book.
p.s. – I too love butterscotch. Do you make a butterscotch pie or is it an apple and butterscotch pie?
I’m too late for the giveaway, but have put “Pen and Prejudice” in my to-be-purchased-and-read amazon shopping basket. Glad you are self-publishing! Janeites appreciate all the writers who self-publish, so we have lots of JAFF to read and enjoy!
I am too! I can’t imagine what I’d do or read if they didn’t sell publish! LOL! 😉