THE winning entries from Chawton House Library’s Jane Austen short story competition are to be published in a new anthology.

Beguiling Miss Bennet, a new collection of contemporary stories taking their inspiration from characters in Jane Austen’s novels, will be officially launched on Tuesday, September 22 at the Hampshire library.

The venue, which is a leading research centre for early English women’s writing, ran the short story competition in collaboration with publishers Honno Press.

Caroline Oakley, the book’s editor, said: “There’s something for everyone in this volume, from a crotchety old Scotswoman who’s been stymied by true love, to genuine compassion and concern from Frederick Wentworth for his new bride, Anne, and the desperate ghost of Mary Price who wishes to stay in this world and see more of it than her cloistered home allows.”

Speakers at the launch will include the winner of the competition Pamela Holmes, who will read a passage from her story and talk about her inspiration for talking part.

Since winning, Pamela has gone on to publish her first novel and is now working on a collection of short stories.

Dr Gillian Dow, executive director of Chawton House Library, said: “It seems fitting that Jane Austen is inspiring new writers – and especially new women writers, as although she is the most famous woman novelist of her time, she was, in fact, only one of a thriving community of early literary women who influence and inspired each other.

“We were overwhelmed by the quality of the fantastic entries we received for the competition.”

The launch will take place in the dining room of Chawton House Library, where Jane Austen is known to have dined with her brother Edward.

Tickets cost £8.50 and the book will be available to buy for £8.99 on the evening.

Find out more online at chawtonhouse.org.