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I grew up on Long Island, New York, where we continue to live.  After attending Nassau Community College, I went on to earn a degree in Psychology from Adelphi University.

A few years ago, being a fan of Jane Austen, I decided to look for Pride and Prejudice written from Darcy’s point of view.  During my online search, I became thoroughly enamored with Jane Austen fan fiction (JAFF).

At some point, I literally dreamed an idea for a story.  At first I was going to post it to a forum’s “plot bunny” area, but since I had always had a secret dream of becoming a writer, I gave it a try myself.  I cannot tell you how surprised and pleased I was when the resulting story (an earlier version of Dreams and Expectations) was well received. I went on to write a few short stories and another that was novel-length, which was published as Promises.

When I looked back at the first novel-length story, I realized that my skills had greatly improved since then, and so I set out to re-write Dreams and Expectations.

All Hallow’s Eve is my third novel, and has a paranormal twist.  I began this story as a short story, but took on a life of its own.

Foundation of Love (The Mystic Blessing 2) was actually almost finished before I started writing The Mystic Blessing!

The Keys for Love was written in response to a writing challenge at BeyondAusten.com.

I’ve always loved mysteries, amnesia stories, and suspense, so I gave writing one that encompasses all of the above in Safekeeping. Safekeeping is not really a JAFF story, but does have a touch of Austen.

A Lesson Hard Learned was next, bringing me back to Regency JAFF.

The Marriage Pact (the draft version posted to BeyondAusten.com as The Pact) had begun as a JAFF story, but Elizabeth and Darcy refused to do what I wanted them to do, and therefore Miss Celia Colton and Mr. James Aldridge were born.

A Very Austen Christmas includes my story No Better Gift. The anthology also features heartwarming stories set in Jane Austen’s Regency world written by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, and Barbara Cornthwaite, revisiting Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park to deliver uplifting holiday stories.

My story in the anthology A Very Austen Valentine is My Forever Valentine.  The anthology also includes excellent stories by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, and Barbara Cornthwaite, together with Susan Kaye and Mandy Cook, sharing variations of Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, featuring your favorite characters in sequels, adaptations, and spinoffs of Austen’s adored novels.

In the beginning of 2020, watch for my Austen-Inspired Regency, With My Whole Heart Forever.

Also in 2020, another anthology, A Very Austen Romance will be released!

The moment I have something ready, I’ll often begin posting a new story to the JAFF forums.  I do have several more ideas in the works, so keep your eyes open for them on BeyondAusten.com!

While I’m aware that my skills have improved over time, I must mention that only came to be with the help of my fabulous, and very patient, editors, Gayle Mills and Robin Helm.  There have been many others who have helped along the way, and you’ll see their names on the stories they worked on.

My husband, Matt, and our triplets, Cal, Luke, and Maddie, have been a great source of encouragement and support for my writing efforts, as well as the rest of our family.  Thank you all!

 

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10 thoughts on “About Wendi Sotis”

  1. OH…MY…GOD! Wendi, you and I are practically twins or neighbors (one or the other lol). I live on long island as well, and also went to Nassau Community College! I kid you not! If you had mentioned that you lived in Port Washington, I probably would have wet my pants from excitement! It is so rare to meet like-minded people or people from the same area here on the blogosphere! I hope you keep in touch!

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  2. Not knowing the proper place to complement your writing, I will do so here. Your “Promises” and “Darcy’s Voyage” by Kara Louise are the best of the JAFF, IMHO. I could not choose between them if I had to giveup one; I have read them both at least four times.

    Chapter one of “Dreams and Expectations” looks to be just as good, so please don’t keep it hidden!

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    1. Wow! Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise is one of my favorites as well – I’m honored that my work was even placed in the same sentence as that novel! Thanks so much, Stan!

      We’re working on getting Dreams and Expectations out ASAP – it is a long process if one wants it to be a professional job. I want it to be fully edited before it comes out. My husband is almost finished with the painting for the cover and Gayle, one of my editors, is almost finished with her last pass (Robin is done.) If there are any errors after Gayle and Robin are finished with their thing, it is all my fault – I always nit pick and change things till the last moment. But, we are almost there!

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  3. I find that favorite of Kara’s an amazing coincidence. I have to say I agree with Stan completely. And there are few books I would rank in that category.

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  4. Just read on the blog about being okay but in the cold. I am so sorry you were affected I’m assuming by super storm Sandy. What a horrible event for all that will no doubt live on in infamy. I hope all comes along well. I live on the West coast and we are woefully lacking in updates. Please let us all know how you are. I’m sure there are other authors as well as friends in general we just have not heard how they are doing.

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    1. We are doing fine, thanks! We were a LOT luckier than many people, Suzan. We didn’t have damage to the house, but we know a few who had tens of thousands in damage. Even for those who had flood insurance, anything in their basement wasn’t covered.

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