Greetings, friends! This is a special day! I’m thrilled to welcome the lovely Summer Hanford for her debut visit to Austenesque Reviews! Summer has a long list of Austenesque books published that she co-authored with Renata McMann, and she just published a new release of her own not too long ago titled – Once Upon a Time in Pemberley!
I’m so excited to have Summer visit Austenesque Reviews! I was lucky enough to meet her at the 2019 JAFF Writer-Reader Get Together – there is a virtual JAFF Writer-Reader Get Together next month!
Summer is here to some more about her writing and her new release, Once Upon a Time in Pemberley. We hope you enjoy!
Why no Renata?
I’ve given various answers to this and they are all true. After eight years of working together, it’s a complex, multifaceted question.
Renata creates our plots. That is what we agreed on when she invited me to work with her, and that is how we will always work together because creating the plot is her greatest joy. And to be fair, she doesn’t even guard them jealously. She gives me plenty of say and influence, but she does create the overall plot of each novel.
But sometimes I want to make a plot and, it turns out, I am not so giving as Renata. I don’t want to share my plot. I want to work on it, think about it, mash it together and un mash it. Not because I love making plots the way Renata does, but because I truly enjoy my writing process and creating the plot is intrinsically part of that process.
When I write on my own, I have the overall plot in mind but in each scene, I am thinking, ‘If I were Elizabeth Bennet (for example) in this situation, what would I see, what would I say, what would I think and what would I do?’ I sit at my writing computer contemplating those questions. I eat my lunch contemplating them. I fall asleep at night still contemplating them and I like that. My writing augments my life.
But when I’m working on a book that Renata sends me, I’m thinking, ‘What is Renata’s goal for this scene and how can I most effectively convey that to the reader?’ So you see, there is a layer of disconnect. I can’t BE Elizabeth in my mind. I have to be Summer puppeteering Elizabeth for Renata’s overall purpose. I’m not certain readers can tell the difference. In fact, I very much hope not, because I take pride in my writing. But I can tell the difference. It’s a different writing experience and while I love working with Renata and I really like sharing the ‘unfun’ parts like editing, writing to someone else’s plot removes from me the aspect of crafting a novel which brings me the greatest amount of joy (though plenty of other parts are also enjoyable…I don’t want you to think I’m being tortured over here).
So, sometimes, I want to write to my own plot. It’s not an always thing, though. Just a sometimes one.
Will you work with Renata in the future?
Yes, of course. For so long as she’s willing to put up with me being slow with our joint works because I always have so much going on. I love working with Renata. She’s one of my dearest friends, and I will always be so grateful to her for introducing me to this wonderful and amazing world of Jane Austen Variations.
What’s up with the Children’s Books?
In Once Upon a Time in Pemberley, Elizabeth writes books for Darcy’s children. Once the ideas for those books were in my head, I had to write them, too. I considered putting them, each in their entirety, into Once Upon a Time in Pemberley, but that seemed to interrupt the story too much. Also, that would have required me to write them in early 19th century British English, which I’ve never pretended to know how to do.
So I decided, why not write them in modern American English, find an illustrator, and put them out into the world? Who knows, they might bring people joy.
And I think they do. They’re really quite cute, and very colorful. The bunny one even has a very nice actual guide to caring for a pet rabbit, so it’s useful for more than the main goal of Children’s Books, which in my mind is getting children interested in books and reading. The only down side is that because they’re based on Elizabeth’s interactions with Darcy’s children, my real life family has been somewhat baffled by the choice of topics. Especially regarding Boxing Day. I’m certain they’ll survive, though.
What’s next?
Well, first there is the ‘Space JAFF,’ as Renata and I have been calling it. I’m about halfway done with the editing pass I’m on, which would be almost done when it comes to a normal book but Sci Fi tends to be longer. We really, really hope to have that out this year and I think we will.
After that, we’ll write a more traditional variation. I don’t know which one yet as she’s about four books ahead of me. We have a murder mystery that sounded quite entertaining, I seem to recall, but I haven’t read all of the options or put in my vote for which we do next.
Then, sometimes next year, I will write another variation on my own. I have a few outlines, so that will be another choice. It won’t have children, though. This way my only foray into that world for now.
And my illustrator and I have one more Children’s Book, which became simply too unrelated to Once Upon a Time in Pemberley to put with it by the time I finished writing it. It is alluded to by Elizabeth at the end but, as stories sometimes do, it evolved into something different. Regardless, I’ll put that out this year, maybe with a companion coloring book to make it a nice Christmas present.
Is there anything more you want to tell us about Once Upon a Time in Pemberley?
I want to add that this book was an exploration of the frailty and struggles of the human condition. It’s a story about love, but not exclusively romantic love. Maternal love, paternal love, fraternal. All sorts of love, including of oneself. And also a story about the forgiveness and understanding that enduring love requires.
Once Upon a Time in Pemberley is near and dear to my heart, and I thank you all so much for giving it consideration, and for the overall warmness of the book’s reception (although I do realize it’s not for everyone).
And thank you so much to Meredith for hosting me here on Austenesque Reviews. I’ve never done a blog tour before. This is only my second ‘stop’ and I really appreciate the patience and support she’s given.
Lastly, I almost forgot, check out the Once Upon a Time in Pemberley audiobook, narrated by the
wonderful Catherine Bilson, who was kind enough to work with me on this even though, in addition to the usual array of characters, I added three children’s voices for her to craft.
Thank you for reading and for being a reader. Have a great day!
– Summer
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~ Connect with Summer ~
Website ❧ Facebook ❧ TikTok ❧ Twitter ❧ Instagram
~ About Summer ~
Summer Hanford is an author of sweet, adventure-filled Historical Romance, Pride and
Prejudice retellings (often in conjunction with Renata McMann), Children’s Picture Books, and
Epic Fantasy. She lives in the Finger Lakes Region of New York with her husband and
compulsory, deliberately spoiled, cats. The newest addition to their household, an energetic
setter-shepherd mix, is (still) not yet appreciated by the cats but is well loved by the humans. For
more about Summer, visit www.summerhanford.com.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Summer brings with her an exciting and generous giveaway opportunity with her visit! One lucky commenter on this post will win their choice of any two print or any two ebooks by Summer Hanford or Renata McMann.
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for Summer!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Summer!
- This giveaway ends October 19th!
Always love your books. Thank you for making them available on Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you, and you’re welcome. We want everyone to be able to read our books. The very few we don’t have in Kindle Unlimited, we removed only so that we have more options to give them away to people for free.
Love your books Summer, and especially like the chance to win e-books.
Thank you, Sarah. Good luck!
I have read and loved many of Renata and Summer’s books. They are always imaginative and hard to put down! It was so interesting to learn more about their creative process.
I would love the opportunity to win this new book. Please enter me in the giveaway.
We’re so glad you enjoy our work, Coleen. Good luck in the giveaway!
It must have been really strange to write this story on your own, being responsible for the whole process! Good luck with this and I also hope your childrens books are a great success.
Thank you, Glynis. It wasn’t strange to write alone because I do have a lot of solo books in Historical Romance and Epic Fantasy. But what I will say is that putting our Once Upon a Time in Pemberley felt far more stressful. I can’t blame Renata for anything people don’t like in there! (I’m kidding, but it was for some reason far more stressful) And thank you for the well wishes for my children’s books.
I’m not aware of any other partnership on JAFF books, so it’s funny that everyone wants to know why you are not writing with Renata on this one. Maybe we should be asking other authors why they are not partnered with another author, lol! I have enjoyed your books, and look forward to reading this one. Thank you for the giveaway, and good luck with this new release.
Well, writing is difficult to share. Renata is very good at it. I’m not as good, but she’s sharing with me usually so it all works out. I’ve partnered with other people as well, in other genres, and worked with some rather assertive editors at various publishing houses. Really, you just have to go in with the right attitude. And, actually, we have a presentation about how we work together at this year’s JAFFWRGT event that Meredith mentioned. I’m sure there are other partnerships, though. I’ll have to look. And thank you for the well wish.
Like everyone here, I love all your books too! Recently finished this one and really liked the children stories Lizzy wrote.
Thank you, Nancy, and thank you so much for reading the children’s stories.
Summer, your emails always make me smile because you are not afraid to laugh at yourself. I appreciate you and I truly enjoy your books! Once Upon a Time at Pemberley was the best I have read of yours. Congratulations!!
Hi Rebecca! Thank you. That’s very kind of you. And yes, I’m a firm believer in laughing at myself. I’ve definitely tried it both ways, and life is much better when I find myself funny!
I am looking forward to reading your newest book. Thanks to you and to Renata for all the pleasant, escapist hours spent reading your books.
You are so welcome. That really is why we write them. Well, okay, I’m not totally sure about why Renata does because, oddly, I’ve never asked, but one of my favorite things about our work is that I really feel like we’re making people’s lives happier and that’s a great feeling. So thank you for reading, so I get to feel that way.
Love your stories and even your descriptive comments, such as “forgiveness and understanding that enduring love requires. Please write faster!
Thank you, Cheryl, and thank you for all of your support of our work. I will try (really, it’s the editing where I get slow 🙂 )
I love this book a lot and having it in papaerback makes it even more special
Thank you. Good luck in the giveaway! (so you can win two paperbacks if you like)
I recently read Once upon a time at Pemberley and loved it. It was unique with the children and Elizabeth and that is one of the things I really liked about her story. I have read many of Summers and Renata’s books and have enjoyed all of them. Best wishes as always.
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for your kind words. Best wishes to you, too! Always! (Congratulations again on His Heart’s Desire!)
I just finished your book, Summer. It is lovely. I would have liked more romance at the end, but the journey was everything it needed to be. Your children were very faithful to their ages and reactions. I also appreciated your explanation of your writing arrangement with Renata. Happy writing!
Thank you, Gayle. I’m very glad you enjoyed it. You know, you are of course right. I should have had one more chapter, or made the final chapter longer. I showed Elizabeth talking about Darcy, and Darcy talking about Elizabeth, a lot, but I didn’t show them talking to each other enough. I’ll fix that in the next one (well, I’ll try and we can see!)
I haven’t read any of your books with Renata so my TBR list is certainly growing! Your new book sounds intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win.
Well, I really hope you try some and enjoy them, Kim. I recommend starting with the newest ones (like To Fall for Mr. Darcy) as we really have learned over the years. Good luck in the giveaway, so you can start your collection.
I’ve read a bunch of your books and they never disappoint! I hope to read your newest one soon and I’m really, really, really looking forward to JAFF in space. There’s just not enough sci-fi in our genre and I sadly can’t write it myself, alas. Can’t wait!
Hi Mary! I’m looking forward to it, too, lol. It’s a behemoth! I keep trying to convince Renata that we should cut it in half and put the first half out while we finish editing the second half, but she (I will admit rightly) doesn’t want people to finish the first half and not be able to read the second right away. When the two of us met, Renata was writing sci fi. It’s a passion of hers.
I read a lot and I do mean a LOT- Summer is one of my favorite authors in JAFF and Fantasy. ONCE UPON A TIME IN PEMBERLEY ranks at the apex of most JAFF. She makes you feel as though you are there and experience the emotions of her characters. I strongly recommend this venture and encourage you to explore her other works especially her work with Renata – MORE THAN HE SEEMS. I think it is their masterpiece. Any JA fan will recognize the time, effort and knowledge they infuse into their creations. Happy reading!
Hi Frankie! Thank you so much for all of your support. I agree, More Than He Seems is the best book we’ve written. We’re both working really hard to make the ‘Space JAFF’ better, though, if that’s possible for us. We have the same sort of passion for it as we did for More Than He Seems, which does seem to make us slower in our work. We’ll see what people think!
Thank you for sharing the process that you and Renata share when writing a book, but it’s wonderful that you wanted full creative ownership of your own book. It sounds like you have the best of both worlds. I love the Boxing Day children’s book – great idea! Thank you for the generous giveaway.
Hi Eva – I’m so glad you like Boxing Day. I do, but I’m obviously bias. I have a vivid memory of handing it to my brother and him looking at it, then looking up at me so confused and asking, “Why? It’s just so weird.” To which I replied, “Because it’s funny.” 🙂
A great post. Always happy to learn more.
Thank you, Mary 🙂
Her stories are all well written. Congrats on another!
Thank you so much, Brenda.
Congrats on the new release.
Thank you! 🙂
I’ve enjoyed your other books, and this one also looks like a fun read!
I’m glad you like them 🙂 Thank you!
Love the book cover
Thank you, Glory. It’s a picture of the daughter of one of my oldest friends.
Summer I have several of your books on my wishlist, as they seem really good. Great to hear about how the plot is created. Would love to win 2 in paperback, so please count me in!!
Thank you, Charlotte. Good luck in the giveaway!
Sounds great thanks!
You’re welcome 🙂
Summer, when I read your books, I am transported back to a time of Fitzwilliam Darcy—and it’s feels sublime each time. Thank you!
Thank you, Isabella. That’s very kind of you to say 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to win some prizes. Good luck with your writing. I have read some but not all of your stories.
Thank you for the well wishes. Hopefully you enjoyed what you read and will read more. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have loved many of your books! Would love to read this one also!
Thank you 🙂 I hope you do read it 🙂
I read “Once Upon a Time in Pemberley” on KU and thoroughly enjoyed it–great story, interesting characters, and well written. Congrats on publishing this wonderful story.
Thank you! I appreciate your kindness <3
Thank you for hosting and sharing this book. Intrigued by the many types of love this sotry will be sharing. Thank you for this giveaway
You’re welcome 🙂
Congratulations on your new release; it looks like a fun read!
Thank you!
Just have to say how much I enjoy Summer’s and Renatta’s books, some are on my re-read or re-listen lists. I’m looking forward to reading Once Upon a Time. I have one of your children’s books in my TBR yet to read. What a neat thing that almost serendipitous way they came out of your new book. I love that. I know I’m so late in replying so I congratulate whoever was the lucky winner.
Best of luck with this book’s launch Summer, and by the way, the cover is beautiful.