Local Group Nurtures Interest in Jane Austen

The quiet, clever, Englishwoman Jane Austen died in 1817 at age 42, having written six novels and establishing herself as a major literary figure. Interest in Austen, it seems, never fades.

A faithful interpretation of her most popular novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” just graced the television screen, 50 years after the late Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson (who just died) starred in a very Hollywood version of “Pride and Prejudice.”

And several screen adaptations, including one of “Sense and Sensibility”-- which earned its star Emma Thompson an Oscar for screenwriting last month--have appeared in the last year or so.

A “Jane Austen Redux” panel at the successful Los Angeles Times Festival of Books attracted hundreds of Austen fans and attempted to answer the question, “Why Jane Austen now?”

Austen interest continues locally as the Ventura County Jane Austen Society (one of many in the world) will host a “Tea with Jane Austen” at 2 p.m. May 5 in the Ventura College Faculty Lounge, 4667 Telegraph Road.

The program, organized by language arts chair Lydia Cosentino, includes dramatic readings from the Austen novels and music she might have played. Deadline to reserve tickets, $5 general admission and $2.50 for students, is May 1. Call 644-4238.

For information about the local society, contact Lillian Goldstein, 4399 Sweet Briar St., Ventura 93003.

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Following are events of interest to writers, planned at Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura:

Members of the Conejo Valley Poetry Society will read at 7 p.m. Friday; V.I. Lawrence will sign “Public Enemy” at 1 p.m. Saturday; winners of the Young Poets Competition will read at 7 p.m. Tuesday; and the Writing Club encourages anyone interested in having work critiqued to join the group at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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Learning Tree University is offering two workshops Saturday at the Thousand Oaks campus. Ramon Stevens will share his expertise on “Successful Self-Publishing” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. And award-winning novelist Gary Gottesfeld will offer a master workshop on “Writing the Psychological Thriller,” from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 497-2292 for details.

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The annual used-book sale sponsored by the Ojai Valley Friends of the Library is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 111 E. Ojai Ave. The library will accept donations of used books (except textbooks and condensed books) until Thursday.

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The Oxnard Friends of the Library will host travel journalist Bob Carter, author of “52 Great Escapes in Ventura County” and “Back Roads of Central California,” who will describe how he writes and updates his guides. The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the library, 251 South A St. For details on how to assist the library through the Friends, call 485-8262.

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The Ventura Poetry Festival has chosen contest winners, according to Phil Taggert. Ventura residents Marsha de la O and Michael Faran are first- and second-place winners. Jeff Duclos of Hermosa Beach placed third. Fifteen youthful poets were awarded prizes in the kids’ competition.

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UP THE COAST IN SANTA BARBARA: Magic game demonstrations, artist signings and card tournaments are scheduled from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Sunday at Metro Comics, 15 W. Anapamu St. Call 963-2168 to reserve a free gift.

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Roby James will read from her science fiction novel, “Commencement,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Borders Books, 900 State St.

Frances Halpern along with Jon O’Brien is co-host of Beyond Words at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.