Holly Merry author

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I have just uploaded my illustration of Regency ladies promenading through a peaceful landscaped park to Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/181260897

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I have been reworking some of my illustrations from my book Jane Austen's Easter and making them available on Redbubble. This painting was inspired by a picture in ‘The Ladies Magazine’ February 1817 of an evening costume worn by a Regency era lady. You can find the illustration here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/181227557

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One of the delights of researching my book 'Jane Austen's Easter' was enjoying the mentions of spring flowers in Jane Austen's novels and letters. Hyacinths feature in 'Northanger Abbey' when Catherine Morland expresses her pleasure in seeing hyacinths to Henry Tilney. He responds: "But now you love a hyacinth. So much the better. You have gained a new source of enjoyment, and it is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible. Besides, a taste for flowers is always desirable in your sex, as a means of getting you out of doors, and tempting you to more frequent exercise than you would otherwise take. And though the love of a hyacinth may be rather domestic, who can tell, the sentiment once raised, but you may in time come to love a rose?" ('Northanger Abbey', Chapter 22) Commonly found flowering from March, hyacinths were grown in large outdoor pots or along a walkway where their fragrance might be enjoyed. As expensive bulbs, hyacinths denoted status. As they are mentioned indoors in 'Northanger Abbey', it is likely there were grown in pots or bulb glasses.

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Jane Austen described her novels as 'pictures of domestic life in country villages'. Discover the changes afoot in the countryside in Jane Austen's lifetime, the country settings that inspired her, and how the countryside is portrayed in her novels.

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I live and breathe Jane Austen - BBC Sounds

Holly Kirby works as a costume guide at Attingham Park.

Catch up on my radio interview where I discuss how Jane Austen inspires me. Hear more about my dressmaking and book 'Jane Austen's Easter' which covers how springtime is presented in Jane Austen's novels and letters, plus includes simple seasonal crafts projects inspired by the Regency era.

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Musings on The Rooted and the Winged

As part of my experience as a beta reader for Samantha Curran’s epic fantasy novel The Rooted and the Winged I completed some feedback in answer to questions about the plot and characters. Here are my opinions and I hope that they capture why this book is such a fabulous read! What impression did The Rooted and the Winged leave you with? I loved the themes of the book which celebrated the…

Musings on The Rooted and the Winged

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The Rooted and the Winged

Some years ago I was honoured to act as a beta reader for Samatha Curran’s The Rooted and the Winged — an epic faerie fantasy story with a moving environmental message. I am delighted to annouce that The Rooted and the Winged is about to be published complete with Samantha’s incredible hand-inked illustrations! The story focuses on a world populated by dryads and faeries, and like my Brownies of…

The Rooted and the Winged

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Book review of Jane Austen's Easter by Mary Meadows Art

Reflection in Lavender by Mary Meadows Art I feel over the moon to have recieved this glowing review of my book Jane Austen’s Easter from artist Mary of Mary Meadows Art, creator of spectacular art inspired by natural motifs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary (@marymeadowsart) The vibrant style of her art is energising and joyful and I have shared some examples so that you can…

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A unicorn guardian gallops through an enchanted forest

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Born a princess, happier a hedgewitch, my fantasy character Eledy is pictured finally achieving her ambition to become a healer. Here she is gathering the last of the summer herbs and flowers as autumn sets in.

You can find my picture on Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/165050666?ref=studio-promote

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I'm overjoyed to hear that I have received a Distinction for the Fantasy Writing Diploma that I completed with Centre of Excellence. My tutor said: "An incredible achievement, Holly; your choices clearly demonstrated your exceptional understanding of the course content. Your hard work has paid off as you reached outstanding grades in each assessment." 

I've enjoyed integrating what I have learned into my writing -- especially the advice on plot structuring, editing, and fantasy tropes. I highly recommend the course to anyone interested in writing fantasy fiction.

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A colourful summer bouquet that I picked in my garden and then created a watercolour painting card of in order to give to my granparents for their wedding anniversary.

You can find the painting on my Redbubble page:

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/161904974?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR16cG9Jr4qDEZTxlseknflt0uz0lUlwHiq-cekr1FbTJ9LOV8926jxpnRI_aem_Aedm579OIfxGx1IMoom9BttG1wLTf__cTluD3bXbybe3K1M30jMszvkl-MtQb7QwIw3ixlGUIuGou50Bwtb-GdT5

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Jane Austen's Easter local library talk

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Check out my latest video about how Easter was celebrated in Jane Austen's time. Based on research into her letters and novels, the video details how Regency people would typically have spent Easter Day. Illustrated with my watercolour paintings and photographs of Regency style outfits I’ve made, I hope this video will bring joy to all Jane Austen fans!

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Such a beautiful display put on in my local library ready for my upcoming talk about Easter in Jane Austen's time. Thank you to the lovely, helpful librarians who organised it!

Find my book 'Jane Austen's Easter' on Amazon:

Buy Jane Austen's Easter by Merry, Holly, Merry, Holly (ISBN: 9798414026235) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery

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Am Cymbelmine's incredible picture of my character Hulgaf Clarick from 'The Kraken's Prisoners' is absolutely breathtaking. When I wrote my novel I never imagined that someone would one day create fan art based on one of my characters. It feels both surreal and thrilling to see this picture. All the details within it perfectly capture Hulgaf's buoyant and fearless character. The Celtic knotwork border, her skirt made of willow leaves and her pet crow are pictured in a way that fits the mood of the story so well.

I highly recommend checking out Am Cymbelmine's other artwork that can be found on her DeviantArt portfolio:

Fanart-The Lady Hulgaf Clarick by AmCymbelmine on DeviantArt

You can buy 'The Kraken's Prisoners' on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iBooks. More details can be found on my website:

Books

Click on any of my books for more details. The hardcover version of King of the House Elves available from Amazon About King of the House El

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Did you know that Jane Austen owned a donkey? In a letter to her niece, Fanny Knight, written on the 13th of March 1817, Jane said she planned to get a riding donkey so she could accompany her sister Cassandra on walks now the weather was spring-like. On the 26th of March 1817 Jane wrote jokingly to another niece, Caroline Austen: ‘I have taken one ride on the Donkey & like it very much & you must try to get me quiet, mild days that I may be able to go out pretty constantly.’ The donkey cart used by Jane Austen can still be seen in the Jane Austen House Museum.

Read my book 'Jane Austen's Easter' on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Austens.../dp/B09S3W9BDW