Interview with Linda Berdoll

Author of Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife.

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Enid, OK when my father was stationed there. I now live in western Travis County outside of Austin , TX.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I had a meandering upbringing as an Air Force brat, stationed at such diverse locations as the sultry Philippine Islands and ever-parched Roswell, New Mexico. However, we had the great fortune to be stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin when my Dad retired from the military.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I come from a family of writers. What little writing I had done was as a columnist for the Austin American Statesman. Fiction was never on my horizon. In all our various postings, my education was somewhat patchy. I had managed to miss the privilege of being introduced to Jane Austen other than in passing. When I happened to watch the BBC presentation of Pride & Prejudice, I was hooked. Its only flaw was that it ended. I didn’t, want it to end. I really, really didn’t want it to end. I was struck by a severe case of literary coitus-interruptus. Indeed, I became a woman possessed. I read all of Austen’s many novels and biographies and devoured tomes about the Regency era. All the while I mooned over Darcy & Elizabeth, wondering what might really have been going on with the lovers behind Jane’s stunning prose. Had I not had my husbands encouragement, I would never have had the courage to let it

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My daydreams were quite explicit. Hence the book I wrote to express those longings was decidedly racy. A warning to the faint of heart is affixed to the cover cautioning that this isn’t your mother’s Jane Austen. If one is easily offended by the depiction of unbridled passion: Hang on to your bonnet, you are in for a bumpy ride.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Romantics who are unbothered that one reviewer opined that Mr. Darcy’s penis was actually another character in my book.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Having my books carried on the shelves of B&N meant that this greater notoriety led to a substantial write up in the local newspaper (with an accompanying photo of my husband and I in a mock-up of the cover of MDTAW).

As my husband and I are known as a reputable and sedate couple, when this came out it was to the amazement of friends, neighbors, and family. We found their surprise utterly hilarious. But then for the most part, country folk are the forgiving type – so long as it doesn’t scare the cows who cares?

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Trust your own instincts and don’t read reviews.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

So far we have sold nearly a half-million copies of my books world-wide.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

We wasted a great deal of time listening to snobbish naysayers who claimed no one would buy a sequel to Pride & Prejudice. While I am perhaps the most successful sequelist, I am told there are now over 5,000 stories based on Jane Austen characters available in various forms – online, e-book, and hard copy.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

a)Innumerable souls confided they too meant to write a book. So my greatest strength as a writer is that I actually followed through, writing and completing a novel.

b)Not listening to those who claimed to know that if you self-published, no legitimate publisher would pick it up.

c)Promotion is not my forte.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

a) I would like to be as prolific as some authors. But, alas. I am a slow writer

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am writing my sixth novel now.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I self-published selling 10,000 books via my garage when Sourcebook Publishers bought the rights to it.