Hi readers! Are you a fan of Magical Austen? If so, then you probably saw that the long-awaited multi-author round-robin novel Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library was published for the masses earlier this month!!
If you didn’t already know, Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library was written by 6 talented and well-known Austenesque authors – Abigail Reynolds, Lari Ann O’Dell, Melanie Rachel, Monica Fairview, Sarah Courtney, and Victoria Kincaid.
And today I have the pleasure of chatting with Victoria Kincaid about this project and asking her some questions!
Hi Victoria, I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to talk with you! First off, congratulations to you and your fellow authors on the release of Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library! What a great project to be a part of! Do you remember whose idea it was or how it came about?
Hello, Meredith. I’m thrilled to be back! I wasn’t very involved in the early days, but I believe Abigail and Monica had the idea to bring a group of Austenesque fantasy writers together to form Magical Austen. I think the round robin story was Monica’s idea.
From the beginning we involved Austenesque fantasy readers. We posted polls on Facebook so readers could vote on what tropes, magical creatures, secondary characters, etc. they wanted to see in the book.
So it was not just a collaborative project between authors, but also readers as well! How fun for readers to have a say in the story’s elements. Can you tell us a little about Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library and what readers should expect?
It’s a second-chance-at-love story. Darcy and Elizabeth had been engaged, but he broke it off five years ago when it appeared that she didn’t have any magical talent. Now Georgiana is very sick. Darcy goes to the Enchanted Library for help and finds that Elizabeth holds the prestigious position of librarian. They go on a quest to find the cure for Georgiana’s illness, encountering many fae and magical creatures along the way. And, of course, they try to resist their growing attraction to each other.
It’s really a touching love story. They need to find ways to trust each other again. At the same time, they live in this fabulous world where they can do magic and have griffin familiars. They must undergo a perilous quest that takes them into the Faerie Realm and pits them against trolls and dragons. Georgiana has her own subplot. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Wickham both pop up quite a bit. There’s love, adventures, fantasy, romance. The story has everything.
It sounds like it! I especially love the angle of Darcy and Elizabeth having a prior relationship and seeing what their feelings might when they re-encounter one another. What was it like to work on a book round-robin style? What were some of the advantages? And what were some of the challenges?
We did an outline of the story and then we released a chapter of the book each week on Wednesday. A different author would write the chapter each week. Naturally we drifted away from the outline as new ideas occurred to us. 😊 It really was fun. I don’t get to discuss griffins and magic spells with other people very often (my coworkers give me strange looks). Writing is usually solitary, so it was great to work with other authors.
The readers loved the chapters and people were eagerly awaiting each release on Wednesday. So when we finished the book, we thought we would publish it. But then we went back to look at it and realized there were some plot holes, inconsistencies, and repetitions. It was basically a first draft. We had a Zoom call where we hashed out what revisions were needed. The resulting story is much tighter and more focused. I think readers who liked the original round robin story will love this version even more.
That’s wonderful! It sounds like it was a fun and easy process, but I’m sure a lot of work was involved! At least that work was shared, right? Can I ask you about Magical Austen? When did your love of Fantasy begin?
I’ve been reading fantasy since seventh grade when I started The Lord of the Rings. I thought other kids would be impressed that I was reading such a long book. I don’t think they noticed, but it got me hooked on fantasy.😊
When Abigail Reynolds published Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment, I thought, “Wait, we can combine Austen and fantasy? Sign me up!” Fantasy suits the P&P universe surprisingly well, and I think there are a lot of JAFF readers who also like fantasy. I’ve been very pleased at how many of my regular JAFF readers have happily read my fantasy variations.
You can count me as one of them! I may not gravitate towards the Fantasy genre on my own, but I will if it includes characters I love written by authors I love. What is next for you, Victoria? What should readers look forward to?
I am writing a new fantasy P&P variation that doesn’t have a title or a release date yet. The Magical Austen group has talked about doing another project – possibly a series of novellas in a shared magical universe.
That’s so great! I love the idea of a series of novellas. How about we end with some fantasy-inspired Quick-Fire Questions! 🐉🧙🏼♂️🏰🧚🏽🧝🏼♀️🔮
- What mage power or ability would you most like to have?
That’s a tough question to answer; there are so many cool ones to choose from. It would be great to shoot lightning bolts from my fingers. But that’s usually only useful for smiting enemies and not practical on a daily basis. Telekinesis would be useful everywhere; I could use it to summon a snack or lock the door without getting out of my chair. And then if I happened to be attacked unexpectedly by trolls, I could use telekinesis to drop boulders on them.
- Do you have a favorite fantasy character from literature, myth, or film?
It’s hard to choose just one! I love the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show. Buffy is a great character. I also love Hermione (and Harry too, of course) from Harry Potter. But I was a bookish girl, so I sympathize with her.
- What appeals to you the most about living in a magical or fantasy world?
I think fantasy can be particularly appealing to girls and women because we often feel so disempowered in real life. We like to imagine a world with magic that gives us power and authority.
Also, fantasy is just about as far from real life as you can get. When I read fantasy, nothing in the story will pop up to remind me about my day job or that I need to do the laundry. I can completely lose myself, and I believe that’s the critical role that fiction plays in our lives.
- What would be the thing you’d like least about living in a magical or fantasy world?
Any world that doesn’t have indoor plumbing and toothpaste would get a thumbs down from me.
- Which do you think is the most dangerous of magical creatures?
It depends on the mythology of the fantasy world. I mean, a dragon could be very dangerous if it can breathe fire and tear things with its claws. But if the fantasy world’s dragons are friendly or shy and reclusive, then they wouldn’t be very dangerous.
But, ultimately, humans are always the most dangerous antagonists in any book.
- If you had a familiar, what form would you want it to take?
Oh, I’d love a miniature dragon that could sit on my shoulder!
- What do you think Jane Austen would say about her characters becoming mages, fae, and other fantasy creatures?
It’s hard to imagine what Austen would think about any of this. I’m sure she wouldn’t expect that we’d still be reading her books, let alone making movies of them and selling Jane Austen t-shirts and band-aids. I mean, you can get Austen-themed thongs!
She would have been familiar with mythology, fairy tales, and stories like King Arthur. Shakespeare’s plays have some fantasy in them. So hopefully she wouldn’t think P&P fantasy was going too far. I always try to stay true to the spirit of her books.
Terrific and thoughtful answers, Victoria! Thank you so much! I’m so very happy to have you as my guest and I wish you the best of luck with all your upcoming projects!
Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library can be purchased NOW at Amazon or other retailers.
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Connect with Victoria @ www.victoriakincaid.com
Or learn more about the Magical Austen group at their website
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today, Victoria brings with her ONE Ebook copy of Mr. Darcy and the Enchanted Library for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Victoria!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Victoria!
- This giveaway ends March 5th!
I loved reading this during the round robin posting and look forward to reading the published book.
No need to add me to the giveaway. I have ordered a paperback and eagerly await its arrival.
Hi Sam, I hope you enjoy the book!
This sounds very intriguing. Thanks for offering a giveaway!
Hi Jennie, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
I can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Hi Pam, Good luck with the giveaway!
The cover is so lovely. I have always enjoyed the round robin writings, and this book will be such fun to read. Thank you for the giveaway.
Hi Eva, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
How cool! Another giveaway! Magical sounding indeed!
Hi Kaidi, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
A griffin and a library in a land of magic, you can’t get much better than that. I can’t wait to read a book by all my favorite authors!
Hi EV, Those are some of my favorite fantasy elements too! Good luck with the giveaway.
Love the enchanting cover, and can’t wait to read the published book
Hi Sarah, I’m glad you enjoy the cover. We spent a lot of time working on it. Good luck with the giveaway!
Wow! I just love these authors and read any of their books I can get my Kindle or hands on. Count me in.
Thank you all for this great idea.
Hi Frankie, Thank you for your enthusiasm! I appreciate it. Good luck with the giveaway!
I so enjoyed reading each chapter when it was released & I can’t wait to read the final product!!! ~ Glory
Hi Glory, We made some changes from the earlier version, but I think they’re all for the better. Good luck with the giveaway!
I’m super excited to read this! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
Hi Anna, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
I loved fairy and magical stories as a child, mainly Enid Blyton. I especially loved her Magic Faraway Tree books. So I loved this story as it was posting and am excited to read the finished item. I can picture the zoom conversations deciding on what to amend and what to cut. Fabulous achievement ladies!
Hi Glynis!
I also read Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree Books and I loved them 🙂
Hi Glynis, Thanks for being a faithful reader! We made some changes but I think they’re all for the better. Good luck with the giveaway!
Yes, Abigail’s book woke up a lot of us to the idea that you can successfully blend fantasy and Jane Austen. I have enjoyed reading what other great authors have done. Victoria’s 2 fantasy P&P published to date are definitely favorites of mine. I participated in the reader polls for the Enchanted Library and read the early, rough version. I am looking forward to reading the polished version. Thank you for the giveaway. Congrats on best wishes on the new release!
I followed the story when it was being posted, and I am curious how it might have been changed for publication.
I’ve always thought that elasticity would be an excellent superpower. One could do anything with it.
Hi Ginna, We made some changes, but we didn’t add any elasticity. Good luck with the giveaway!
Love the cover, it is so romantic and magical! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
Hi Mary, I’m glad you like it. We spent a while working on it. Good luck with the giveaway!
I’m a fan of both fantasy and author collaborations so this seems ideal for me. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Perfect for you! Good luck with the giveaway.
I love, love, love this and can’t wait to read it.
Congratulations on this release, Victoria – it sounds wonderful!
Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway.
This cover! This idea! I am ALL IN for this! 😀 <3 Thanks for the giveaway chance too!
Hi Rebecca, I’m glad you’re intrigued Good luck with the giveaway!
Love the premise, and I can’t wait to read it!
I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
Thanks for a chance to win a copy. Good luck with the release. Sounds like a story I would enjoy reading.
Hi Sheila, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
Great interview. It enticed me to buy the book. I’ve been on a Jane Austen binge recently-not just her books but scholastic books about her. I so wish I could speak with her.
Hi Doug, I’m glad you enjoyed the interview! I wish I could talk to Austen too. Good luck with the giveaway!
I love the idea of Elizabeth being in a powerful position in a magical setting.
Hi Lois, I do too. It’s one of the things I like about P&P fantasy. Good luck with the giveaway!
What a fun interview! I loved the questions, Meredith, and the answers were great, Victoria! You had to mention trolls, of course!
The whole process of writing the book was quite dramatic. The tension as we waited to find out the results of the polls. The reader discussions on Fantasy Reads for JA fans [Facebook]. The writers’ long, complicated discussions. The anticipation when the next chapter was due. Loved every minute!
Hi Monica, I loved it too! Meredith, don’t enter her in the drawing. She already has a copy. 🙂
Congratulations on your new book and what a gorgeous cover! Indeed, enchanting.
Thank you, Toni. I’m glad you like the cover. We spent a fair amount of time getting it just right. Good luck with the giveaway!
I adore the cover that has been chosen for this book and will admit that I eagerly anticipated each new chapter as it was put on-line. Congratulations on publishing this interesting story.
Hi Jeannette, Thank you for being a faithful reader! I think you’ll like the new version. Good luck with the giveaway!
Oh Yes! Long awaited and much anticipated finished book. The interview was wonderful, laidies. Thank you for that. I participated in the polls and read the first few chapters. A magical library, what’s not to love there? Life happened and I stopped reading chapter-chapter, but I knew that when it was finished it would be awesome. I’m so eager to read this. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
The hint that these authors might be working on other projects in the future is very exciting!
This one is most definitely high up on the TBR mountain! Love stories with magic in them.
Hi Victoria!
I love fantasy genre and I think the mix of Fantasy with Jane Austen books is such an exciting combination!
I also like your writing style and I find really fun six writers have written a story together… Bravo!
Thank you so much for the giveaway!
P.D Love the cover 🙂
Thanks Meredith for hosting Victoria!
A big hug!
Teresa
Hi Teresa, I think Austen and fantasy go well together too! Six writers together was fun. Good luck with the giveaway!
I would love to have a magical library of my own!
Hi Debra, So would I. So would I. Good luck with the giveaway!
A magical Library…. any book at my finger tips….congrats on the new book
Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
I’ve always enjoyed reading P&P Variations that involve magic and mages – what better scenario then for Elizabeth to be a librarian in the world of magic. Can’t wait to read!!
Great interview! Ah Lord of the Rings is still a favourite of mine. I, too, had read it as a young girl. What an exciting premise for this book. Looking forward to reading it as I love the combination of fantasy and Jane Austen! I just can’t seem to keep up lately! Congratulations to all!
Thank you for sharing this delightful interview, Meredith. You asked all the right questions that I would like to know about Victoria and the book. Although I don’t read fantasy stories (Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings series being the exception), I would love to read this novel because it features Elizabeth and Darcy in a setting quite different from my own.