The Get Together will run from the evening of Friday, November 6th, all day through Saturday, November 7th, and until the evening of Sunday, November 8th. Scheduling has been organized so attendees in Europe and West Coast can attend most events, but all times are listed in Eastern Time (think New York City). Can’t make an event due to time zone differences? We’ll miss you live, but the JAFF Get Together will be recorded on Zoom.
2020 Program
All times listed are Eastern Time
Friday November 6th
6:00 – 7:00 – Introduction/Happy Hour: Pour yourself a glass of wine and join us for a Welcome to the Get Together! We’ll give an overview of the weekend and provide an opportunity for everyone to introduce themselves.
7:00 – 9:00 PM – Dinner with the Dashwoods WIP Reading, moderated by Don Jacobson, with (in no particular order) Abigail Reynolds, Carol Hoyt, Jessica Moynihan Washer, Christie Hulz, Lizzy Brandon, Cherith Boardman, Catherine Bilson, Kathy Cowley, Melanie Rachel, Don Jacobson, Sophie Turner and Renata McMann. This is one of two readings of works in progress by JAFF authors.
9:00 – 10:30 PM – Watch Party: Love and Friendship Hosted by Sophie Turner. Join your fellow Austen fans to watch and simultaneously chat about the movie, viewable on amazon prime. Prime memberships can be obtained on a trial basis. Visit the event facebook page for a link to Watch party.
Saturday November 7th
9:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast Chat: An informal opportunity for anyone to drop by and talk about Austen, JAFF, and anything else you’d like. If we have a large number of attendees, we will divide into breakout rooms.
10:00 – 11: 00 – Blogger Panel, moderated by Serena Agusto-Cox, with Margie Longoria (Margie’s Must Reads), Meredith Esparza (Austenesque Reviews), and Ceri Tanti (Babblings of a Bookworm). Hear about the blogger perspective on JAFF and how it’s changed through the years.
11:00 – 12:00 – Across the Pond: British Austenesque Authors, moderated by Debra-Ann Kummuong, with Monica Fairview and Joana Starnes share their perspectives on writing JAFF in the UK (Jane Austen country).
12:00 – 1:30 – JAFF in Non-English-Speaking Countries, moderated by Riana Everly, with authors Lory Lilian and Anniia Sjoblöm and bloggers Rita Deodato (From Pemberley to Milton) and Mira Magdo (Obsessed with Mr. Darcy). How do people in non-English speaking countries develop an interest in JAFF? What’s it like being an Austen fan outside the Anglophone world? Panelists share their perspectives.
1:30 – 2:30 – Stories from Early Days of JAFF, moderated by Sophie Turner, with Abigail Reynolds, Kara Louise, and Jack Caldwell talk about how JAFF got started and their experiences in the early days.
2:30 – 3:30 – Translating Austen, moderated by Stephanie Vardavas, with Cristy Huelsz and Teresita García Ruy Sanchez discuss their experiences translating Austenesque books into Spanish.
3:30 – 4:30 – Austen Variations Through the Ages, moderated by Melanie Schertz, with Melanie Rachel, Sarah Courtney, and Karen Cox explore the joys and challenges of reimagining Austen’s novels for other eras and settings.
4:30 – 6:00 – Afternoon Tea and Socializing: Pour yourself some tea, get out the cucumber sandwiches, and put on your Regency garb (if you want). Attendees will be randomly assigned to “tables” of around 6 people.
6:00 – 8:00 – Watch Party: 2008 Sense and Sensibility Hosted by Sophie Turner. Join your fellow Austen fans to watch and simultaneously chat about the movie, viewable on amazon prime. Prime memberships can be obtained on a trial basis. Visit the event facebook page for a link to Watch party.
Sunday November 8th
9:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast Chat: An informal opportunity for anyone to drop by and talk about Austen, JAFF, and anything else you’d like. If we have a large number of attendees, we will divide into breakout rooms.
10:00 – 11:00 – Breakfast with the Bennets WIP Reading, moderated by Don Jacobson, with (in no particular order) Riana Everly, Lily Bernard, Anne Madison, Beth S. Massey and Violet King. This is the second of two readings of works in progress by JAFF authors.
11:00 – 12:00 – Interview with Soniah Kamal author of Unmarriageable, moderated by Bronwen Chisholm. Blogger Margie Longoria will interview the author of this well-known take on P&P set in Pakistan.
Writers Retreat (Everyone is Welcome)
12:00 – 1:00 – Marketing Roundtable: Please join us to share your marketing tips—and hopefully learn some new ones.
1:00 – 2:00 – The Craft of Writing: Victoria Kincaid shares some thoughts about the writing process and ways to make it easier.
2:00 – 3:00 – 20 Tips for Self-Editing, moderated by Karen Cox, with Christina Angel Boyd and Beau North. You’ve written “The End.” Now here are tips to take your work to the next level. #HaveRedPenAndNotAfraidToUseIt
3:00 – 4:00 – 10 Things we Learned Publishing 30 Books in One Year with Jan Ashton and Amy D’Orazio (Quills & Quartos Press) Publishing for the JAFF Market: A is for Austen (and Amazon) but there’s a lot more to know about the readers and book buyers in the Austenesque marketplace.
4:00 – 5:00 – The Cottage Industry of JAFF, moderated by Leigh Dryer, with Elizabeth Ann West and April Floyd talk about writing and self-publishing within a creative community.
5:00 – 6:00 – Afternoon Chat: An informal opportunity for anyone to drop by and talk about Austen, JAFF, and anything else you’d like. If we have a large number of attendees, we will divide into breakout rooms.
