A Note From the Author of A Red Coat

Hello… I Katelyn Rae, the author of A Red Coat: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation. If you have read my book then you may have seen part of this in the back of your copy, but for those who missed it or haven’t yet read it, I wanted to send you a little note of thanks, and tell you a bit about why I chose to write this book.

AUTHOR NOTE:

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has read, purchased, reviewed, or in any way been a part of my author journey. The support you give, not only to me, but to other authors as well, allows us to explore the world of words and bring stories to life.

Secondly, I would like to thank Jane Austen for her wonderful stories; without her this book would not exist. My choice to continue the journeys of some of her characters was not done in an attempt to negate her work, but to honor it—it is why I did not attempt to write like her, only paying homage.

Now, to conclude, I would like to let you in on why I chose to write this particular book.

I had enjoyed reading various retellings and continuations of Jane Austen’s books for years, particularly those focused on Mary Bennet… still, despite having written several historical fiction stories, I had never thought to write any stories based on Jane Austen’s. After all, for some time I had written and edited for others more than I did for myself. Yet, at a difficult point in my life, I heard God tell me it was okay to write a Jane Austen inspired book… further, he told me it was for fun. I was not meant to overthink it or really even plan it, instead I was given free rein to take it wherever it went. So, I began to write it. On and off—mostly off—for nine to ten months maybe… then beginning another project instead of tackling the edits… until I finally picked it back up maybe half a year after putting it down, editing it with the help of others until it became what you see here.

This book is wildly different from most things I have written. The story, aside from knowing who Mary Bennet would end up with, was not planned. In all honesty, any ideas of what might happen in the book… proved wrong. And while there is always uncertainty regarding how people will receive anything I write, when it comes to this book, I really am publishing it without a clue as to what reactions will be.

No matter how well each of you like it or not, I want to thank you again for coming along on the journey with me. I hope, even if it is not to your taste, that you came away with a smile, or see yourself in the light.

Blessings,

-Katelyn Rae