We chat with authors Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding about their new release Elizabeth of East Hampton, which is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice that transports you to summer in the Hamptons, where classes clash, rumours run wild, and love has a frustrating habit of popping up where you least expect it.
Hi, Audrey and Emily! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourselves?
We met while working at a television production company in New York over ten years ago. Our first assignment was to shoot a pitch reel at a county jail in Pittsburgh where we definitely found ourselves in some interesting situations, so our friendship solidified fast! Fast forward a few years, and the pandemic put the TV industry on an indefinite hold, so while we were quarantined, we ended up sending each other different short stories we were writing. Then, after a glass of wine or two, we were texting and decided to write something together. That’s when we came up with the concept for our first book, Emma of 83rd Street, and it’s been a rollercoaster ever since!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
We’ve both loved writing since we were young, but we had no idea the other shared that love until the pandemic. It was the silver lining to a really awful time.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading:
Audrey: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Emily: Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary - The one that made you want to become an author:
Audrey: Reading Judy Blume books
Emily: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery - The one that you can’t stop thinking about:
Audrey: For real- it’s Pride and Prejudice
Emily: Absolutely!
Your latest novel, Elizabeth of East Hampton, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Swooning, surfing, and baked goods.
What can readers expect?
Whether you’re a Jane Austen fan or not, Elizabeth of East Hampton is a rom-com that anyone can relate to and love! At its heart, it’s a romance about two people who are sure they couldn’t be more different, but it’s also a story about family and community, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we care about.
Where did the inspiration for Elizabeth of East Hampton come from?
While we were writing our first book, Emma of 83rd Street (a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma set in New York City’s Upper East Side), we thought it would be fun to throw in a few Easter eggs for fellow Austen fans, including some characters from her other books. We couldn’t stop thinking about how great it would be if all these different characters knew each other, maybe they were even friends. By the end, we had Darcy in our heads and knew his story had to be next.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Audrey: I think reimagining a modern day Bennet family in particular the sisters and how each of their personalities would be now.
Emily: Yes, the sisters were so fun to write! I also loved the opportunity to get into Darcy’s head. Our book is dual POV, so seeing how he’s feeling and thinking was really interesting.
Can you tell us a bit about how your process works when it comes to co-writing?
It’s an ever-evolving process! First, we do an outline and really try to plot out exactly where the story is going to go, then we alternate chapters until we get a rough draft. After that, everything gets thrown together in revisions! There’s rewrites, restructures, re-everything. But having two sets of eyes helps so much to iron out the pacing and story, so it ends up being a lot of fun.
What’s next for you?
Good question! We’d love to stay in Jane Austen’s world for as long as we can, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Audrey: A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales was so perfect. It’s Knives Out meets Jane Austen that had me laughing the entire time. And my tbr list is very long! but I’m looking forward to reading The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.
Emily: I had so much fun reading Nicolas DiDomizio’s latest, Nearly Wed. It’s a romcom but one with so many complex themes that it’s on an entirely different level. I loved it! And I can’t wait to read Lauren Layne’s latest, Miranda in Retrograde.
