"The Jane Austen Made Me Do It," short story contest began January 01, 2011. Up until then, Laurel Ann of Austen Prose had been busy, busy, busy lining up a dream team of about 20 authors to publish a collection of Austenesque paraliterature shorts through Random House. Some names you may recognize -- Stephanie Barron, Pamela Aiden, Amanda Grange, Carrie Bebris, Karen Joy Fowler, Laurie Viera Rigler... And here is the cream, this is a contest for a "new" voice hosted by the The Republic of Pemberley and her own site of Austen Prose. In conjunction with the publication of the new anthology "Jane Austen Made Me Do It," Ballantine Books, Austenprose.com, and The Republic of Pemberley are pleased to announce an online short story contest. Enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize: publication of your entry in the anthology – a collection of original short stories inspired by the life and works of popular English novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817). Hosted by the Jane Austen web site The Republic of Pemberley, the contest begins on January 1, 2011. Publication of Jane Austen Made Me Do It is tentatively scheduled for publication by Ballantine in Fall 2011.

Contest Highlights


Eligibility:
Previously unpublished (self-published are exempt and welcome to enter) U.S. residents over the age of 18.
Entries must be approximately 5,000 words in length.
Manuscript submission January 1 – February 13, 2011.
Voting for the Top Ten finalists February 14 - 28, 2011.
Top Ten finalists announced on March 1, 2011.
One Grand Prize winner receives $500.00 and a contract for publication in the anthology "Jane Austen Made Me Do It."
Grand Prize winner announced Fall 2011 in conjunction with the official release by Ballantine Books (Random House, Inc.) of "Jane Austen Made Me Do It."

"Jane Austen Made Me Do It" contains more than twenty best-selling and popular authors who have contributed short stories inspired by Jane Austen, her novels and her philosophies of life and love. From historical continuations of her plots and characters to contemporary spinoffs and comedies, the stories encapsulate what we love about our favorite author: romance, social satire and witty humor. Contributing to the line-up are best-selling authors Karen Joy Fowler (The Jane Austen Book Club), Adriana Trigiani (Brava, Valentine), Lauren Willig (The Pink Carnation series), Laurie Viera Rigler (The Jane Austen Addict series), Syrie James (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen), Stephanie Barron (Being A Jane Austen Mystery series), and the husband and wife writing team of Frank Delaney (Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show) and Diane Meier (The Season of Second Chances). Many Austenesque authors and others from related genres have also contributed stories to the project. One spot in the anthology remains open for the lucky Grand Prize winner.

The anthology’s editor, Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose.com, is very excited at the prospect of discovering the next star in the burgeoning sub-genre of Jane Austen sequels and inspired books. "Jane Austen has been inspiring writers for close to two hundred years. It seems quite fitting that she should be the witty muse of our anthology and short story contest. Encouraging writing and discovering new talent is in spirit with her true legacy. I am ‘all anticipation’ of what will develop, and am honored to be part of the selection team."
Visit the official Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest web page for official contest rules and eligibility requirements. Best of luck to all entrants.

Here's the link. http://www.pemberley.com/JAMMDI/JAMMDI.html

Thank you for posting this, Christina! I wish all the contestants the best of luck!

My pleasure. I think it would be so exciting if one of the fanfiction authors I adore so much would enter and win! There really are so many talented writers out here n the fandom and this would be such an excellent way to get notice of a major publisher. IMO of course. :)