Tidings from Longbourn
Glimpses of the world of Before Pride and Prejudice.
Receive Jane Gardiner’s first letter from London.
Latest from John L. Stone
Book news, audiobook production updates, appearances, and interviews — gathered here as they happen.
Tidings from Longbourn
or, A Young Lady’s Entrance into the World
Imagine coming across Evelina in a London drawing room in 1787. Frances Burney’s novel had appeared nine years earlier without its author’s name—and its connection to Jane Austen runs deeper than most readers know.
Read this entry →Zara Ramm completed recording Before Pride and Prejudice on October 15, 2026. The audiobook now moves into editing and post-production with Chatterbox Audio, with release tentatively scheduled for mid-November 2026.
Visit the Audiobook Diary for photographs from the recording studio and further updates.
Rita Deodato kindly welcomed me to her Austen-focused blog, From Pemberley to Milton, where I share why I wrote Before Pride and Prejudice and offer an excerpt from the novel. I'm grateful to Rita for the invitation and to her readers for their warm welcome and thoughtful comments.
Reader responses to the guest article and excerpt
“This sounds fascinating! Apparently, Mrs. Bennet is a little deeper than we give her credit for.”
— hmcide28bdbbcdd, commenting on From Pemberley to Milton, October 15, 2026. Shared with permission.
“I have added this to my read list but love hearing that it will be an audiobook as I usually get to those much faster!”
— Glory, commenting on From Pemberley to Milton, October 15, 2026. Shared with permission.
“I don’t recall ever reading a book focused on Mr and Mrs Bennet before. Congrats on the release!”
— DarcyBennett, commenting on From Pemberley to Milton, October 15, 2026. Shared with permission.
I am delighted to announce that acclaimed British narrator Zara Ramm will narrate the forthcoming audiobook edition of Before Pride and Prejudice. Recording is planned for October with Chatterbox Audio Ltd.
Plans for the audiobook edition of Before Pride and Prejudice have taken a major step forward. Production arrangements with a distinguished British narrator and UK audiobook production company are now being finalized.
More news coming soon.
The newest novel from John L. Stone is now available on Amazon. Before Pride and Prejudice imagines the Bennet family in the years before Jane Austen's beloved story begins — a warm, intimate portrait of an English country household navigating love, ambition, and the quiet courage of ordinary life.
John shares a few words on what drew him to imagine the Bennet household before Austen's story begins — the questions of character, circumstance, and quiet domestic courage that the novel explores. A longer reflection is available on the book's dedicated page.
John welcomes invitations to join book club discussions of any of his three titles — in person where geography allows, and by video call wherever readers gather. Use the contact page to get in touch.