In this special bonus episode of Into The Austenverse, Lisa interviews Julia Gray and Imogen Russell Williams about their new book, Kitty and Mary. It was born from their long friendship, shared love of Jane Austen, and a desire to revisit Pride and Prejudice by following the two Bennet sisters left unmarried. They each wrote one sister’s voice in an epistolary format, creating a “conversation” between Kitty, Mary, and themselves, with letters and journals allowing readers to see what the sisters reveal and conceal, including strikethrough moments. Imogen describes researching Mary’s India storyline using British Library ship logs and the impact of months-long letter delays, while Julia researched early publishing (using John Murray as a framework), amateur theatricals, and medicine/childbirth for Kitty’s arc, including her growing relationship with words. They talk about writing for a YA publisher with broad adult appeal, the benefits of accountability in collaboration, and a London Bushwick Book Club night featuring songs responding to the book.

Kitty and Mary is published by Andersen Press and is out NOW!

More about the Bushwick Book Club's night of Kitty and Mary here.

 

In this special bonus episode of Into The Austenverse, Lisa interviews Julia Gray and Imogen Russell Williams about their new book, Kitty and Mary. It was born from their long friendship, shared love of Jane Austen, and a desire to revisit Pride and Prejudice by following the two Bennet sisters left unmarried. They each wrote one sister&rsquo;s voice in an epistolary format, creating a &ldquo;conversation&rdquo; between Kitty, Mary, and themselves, with letters and journals allowing readers to see what the sisters reveal and conceal, including strikethrough moments. Imogen describes researching Mary&rsquo;s India storyline using British Library ship logs and the impact of months-long letter delays, while Julia researched early publishing (using John Murray as a framework), amateur theatricals, and medicine/childbirth for Kitty&rsquo;s arc, including her growing relationship with words. They talk about writing for a YA publisher with broad adult appeal, the benefits of accountability in collaboration, and a London Bushwick Book Club night featuring songs responding to the book.
<a href="https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/books/kitty-and-mary/">Kitty and Mary</a> is published by Andersen Press and is out NOW!
More about the Bushwick Book Club's night of Kitty and Mary <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bushwickbookclublondon/posts/oh-the-trials-and-tribulations-of-these-gals-looking-forward-to-reading-the-rest/1711344767665694/">here.</a>
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Into The Austenverse is a podcast celebrating Jane Austen’s works and subsequent adaptations. In 2025 hosts David and Lisa Campbell embarked on a journey to explore Austen's groundbreaking novels which not only transformed literature but continue to shape and inspire modern culture more than 250 years on.  The show brings depth & devotion, hot-takes & humour as they lead us through the books, the films, the TV series and adaptations - Into The Austenverse.

Into The Austenverse is a podcast celebrating Jane Austen&rsquo;s works and subsequent adaptations. In 2025 hosts David and Lisa Campbell embarked on a journey to explore Austen's groundbreaking novels which not only transformed literature but continue to shape and inspire modern culture more than 250 years on. &nbsp;The show brings depth &amp; devotion, hot-takes &amp; humour as they lead us through the books, the films, the TV series and adaptations - Into The Austenverse.

Into The Austenverse is a brand-new podcast celebrating Jane Austen’s works and subsequent adaptations. 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Austen, whose groundbreaking novels not only transformed literature but continue to shape and inspire modern culture. 

Into The Austenverse

Into The Austenverse is a brand-new podcast celebrating Jane Austen’s works and subsequent adaptations. 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Austen, whose groundbreaking novels not only transformed literature but continue to shape and inspire modern culture. Hosts David and Lisa Campbell bring depth & devotion, hot-takes & humour as they lead us through the books, the films, the TV series and adaptations - Into The Austenverse.

Into The Austenverse is a brand-new podcast celebrating Jane Austen&rsquo;s works and subsequent adaptations. 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Austen, whose groundbreaking novels not only transformed literature but continue to shape and inspire modern culture. Hosts David and Lisa Campbell bring depth &amp; devotion, hot-takes &amp; humour as they lead us through the books, the films, the TV series and adaptations - Into The Austenverse.

BONUS EPISODE - 'Kitty and Mary' authors Imogen Russell Williams and Julia Gray join Into The Austenverse 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1621afc0-ae64-4074-a132-b4c1009d9fdb/transcript