Welcome to readers of the Toronto Star
The Toronto Star has a very nice article about Jane Austen’s online presence, including AustenBlog.
Many self-declared “Janeites” have banded together to form a multitude of online communities dedicated to preventing classic novels like Emma from collecting dust on bookshelves. The Republic of Pemberley, co-founded by Americans Myretta Robens and Amy Bellinger, is the largest online Jane Austen fansite, with an average of 8 million to 10 million hits per month. AustenBlog.com, though slightly smaller with an average of 3,500 page views per day, was initiated by Pennsylvanian Margaret C. Sullivan as a source for Austen news bulletins. The site’s tagline: She’s everywhere.
When asked to predict Austen’s place 50 years from now, she says it all depends on whether someone figures out how to get any money out of it. Like Robens, she does not receive any financial compensation for running her website. For them, it is a labour of love.
“I wonder if there will be an attempt to present a corporate, profit-seeking version of Jane Austen online, and I wonder how it will be received,” says Sullivan, before adding that AustenBlog will, of course, provide commentary if or when that day comes.
It should go without saying that the commentary will be snarky! So far just about all the Austen sites online are for fans, by fans. It will be interesting, from an anthropological point of view, to see if anyone attempts to monetize the Austen fandom online and what the reaction to such a site would be.
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The comparison between RoP and AB is unfair, of course. After all, AB is but a “mere” blog page, is it not? Nevertheless, there is no other place I would rather visit, when it comes to anything to do with Jane.
You betcha! Replete with sticks and stones, for sure. This will make the Becoming Jane to-do trite in comparison.
As I expected, there was also the obligatory mention of Colin Flirt. But to the writer’s credit, I was relieved to see no occurrence of “It is a truth universally acknowledged…” anywhere in the article.
Great article, thanks for posting the link!
Mags, I’m glad to see you getting your due recognition for your book as well as for AB. The Jane Austen Handbook is an entertaining read and AustenBlog is the best compendium of all things Jane, anywhere on the ’net. My opinion is similar to Tony’s–the other sites are okay, but it’s AB I check everyday.
Aw pshaw! *waves tail à la Cowardly Lion* You’re making me BASHFUL!
Thanks, it means a lot to me that readers appreciate the blog! (And the book!!!)
I must apologize for making fun of Colin—it was his birthday yesterday! Of all days I should have been nicer to him. Anyway, I am surprised and displeased… nay, disappointed, that none of the ladies remembered—for shame!
A belated birthday greeting, Mr Colin “Darcy” Firth!
Mags, have you decided on how to offer up the, um… seat?
Tony — it’s not that we didn’t remember Colin’s birthday, it’s just that we were off celebrating with his extended harem on another website. I considered thumping you on the noggin for your “Colin Flirt” remark, but I had already taken the oath of non-violence in honor of the Special Day.
Non-violence… that is good, Deb. But I am sure the man can take a joke, don’t you think?
An extended harem, you say? I remember Colin in The English Patient, (you ought to have seen it, I am sure), pronouncing it as hareem. His character, Geoffrey Clifton, could take a joke himself, except for the ultimate one—his wife cheating on him with another man.