Good Afternoon everyone,
I hope you’re all having a good day. Today is a very special day for me because it is From Pemberley to Milton’s 5th year anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been this long since I started this wonderful hobby, and the blog and this community have become such an important part of my life, and allowed me to meet so many wonderful people I’ve come to consider friends, that I thought the five year mark deserved a big celebration!
With that in mind, on its 5th anniversary, we will have at From Pemberley to Milton 5 different post during the next 5 days with giveaways everyday! This blog would not exist without all of you, so I think you all deserve some goodies for your continuing support 🙂
Today I decided to let you know what I have been doing over the past 5 years, so I gathered some stats that I hope you find interesting. Tomorrow we will place 5 questions to the first 5 authors featured on From Pemberley to Milton back in 2015. On Wednesday I’ll share with you my top 5 North & South books, and on Thursday I’ll go through my Jane Austen Road Trip posts, pick my top 5 moments and present to you a new blog layout! I’ve been wanting to change the layout for some time because I want to add specific information about audiobooks that I’m reviewing, and to allow you to re-check old reviews in a more friendly and organized manner, so even though I’m super scared of losing everything I’ve built so far, on Thursday I’ll change the blog layout and add additional pages, etc. Wish me luck!
Finally on Friday I will share with you your own stats! If you’re willing, I will ask you to fill a anonymous survey that will allow me to understand the trend amongst my readers, and share all that data with you on Friday. Won’t it be interesting to see what other people like and dislike in the genre?
What do you think? Sounds good? I am a little scared with the layout change, but I hope all goes well and that you will like what’s coming.
Because today is the Blog Anniversary, I thought it would be best to start by sharing what I’ve been doing for the past five years, so I gathered the numbers of all my published posts and reviews and created some graphics to share with you. I confess I wasn’t too surprised with the numbers.
2015 was the debut year, and because I only started in August, it is natural to have a lower number of posts that year. Then we start to see an increase of published content with the big boom being 2017 (you remember what we were celebrating that year don’t you?). After 2017 we’ve been seeing a decrease, and that is due to 2 factors. First I started publishing less giveaway winners announcements, congregating several winners in one single post (you may not believe it, but it makes a huge difference). I realized it was preferable to have less content being published, but more appealing to all of you, so instead of focusing on the quantity of posts, I’m trying to make it about the quality. The second reason for this decrease was my ” I need to read something else phase” in 2019. If you’ve been following the blog for some time you’ve probably noticed that last year I took a break from JAFF. I needed to read something else and clear my mind to be able to appreciate these stories once more, so for a couple of months I didn’t publish that much, and I think that will always be my worse blogging year 🙂 As for this year, well… we are only in the beginning of August, so it is natural to have a smaller number of posts published so far. I’m expecting the number to go up and stay close to 100. I’ll try to keep my commitment of posting twice a week, I think that’s the ideal number both for me and for you (you wouldn’t read my posts if I published everyday, right?).
The number of reviews published follows the same trend as the number of posts, but looking at the numbers, I can’t say I’m too happy about it. I will try to increase the number of reviews to 48 per year and keep that number steady. That will mean reviewing one book each week, leaving my second weekly post to guest posts, interviews etc. What do you think? Sounds good or are you ok with an inferior number of reviews as long as that means more contact with authors?
We’ve seen how many posts I’ve been publishing per year, but what about the type of post I’ve been publishing the most? Well, here it is an analysis of that per year.
In the first years of the blog, the topic Other Matters was one of the type of posts I published the most, but its number started decreasing over the years and that is because I became a little bit more organized (or so I hope). This topic includes giveaway winners announcements, any special type of announcement like books re-releases, identity reveals, big sales I discovered online etc, and I’ve been trying to reduce them as much as I can, namely by announcing the giveaway winners in bulk instead of one announcement per winner.
But if we disregard that topic, which I’m really trying to reduce, you can see that except for 2019, reviews were the type of post I published the most every single year. As explained before that was the year when I decided to read more non-jaff books, so the number of reviews decreased. That was also reflected on my 2019 favourite books list which included for the first time some non-jaff books.
Then we can see I started out without any cover reveals or guest posts in 2015, but the number concerning these type of posts started growing a lot, especially the excerpts that reached its peak in 2019. Which leads me to a question, is this your prefered type of post apart from reviews? Or do you prefer other types of posts? The author interview posts for example haven’t been too steady over the years, and I wonder if this is something you would like to see published more often.
2020 has been the big year of Cover Reveals, and because of my love for covers, I admit this is one of my favourite posts to publish 🙂
My Jane Austen Road Trip posts had its peak in 2017 for obvious reasons, and are non-existent in 2020 but I hope to resume them in 2021. Unfortunately I cannot promise to do any other this year 😦
Apart from my blogging activity, I’ve also decided to see what I’ve been doing in terms of reading, and the numbers weren’t a shock either.
As you can see above, I mainly read Pride and Prejudice inspired novels, followed by North and South.
You’ll only see Persuasion, which is my second favourite Austen novel, and books which have characters from more than one novel, after the two books which inspired the name of this blog. What about you? Apart from P&P, which is you favourite?
I started out by reading only Pride and Prejudice inspired books, and I think that will always be my favourite, but I am now starting to widen my horizons and read works inspired by other works of Austen. The same is happening with regards to the sub-genre I read. Let’s take a look:
Overall, and for the past 10 years (I started reading JAFF in 2010), variations are the sub genre I read the most. I started out by only reading variations because they were my favourites, and in the beginning I would only read regency stories. With time, and after having read many, I decided something new was needed to keep my interest, so I started reading modernizations and stories placed in a different era (for statistical purposes I’m considering everything that is non regency in the different eras category). After that, I also started reading stories which would focus on secondary characters, and mash ups are a little more recent but one of my favourite sub genres. I find that my taste in JAFF has changed over the years, so I’ll continue counting the type of books I read, because something tells me that in a few years this graphic may be very different 🙂 What about you? Have your tastes changed over time too? Which is your favourite sub genre? What about the plot? Which is your favourite?
I would love to know all about that, and for that I’ve created this small survey. If you don’t mind answering, I’ll compile all your answers and publish them on Friday 🙂 I hope you don’t mind doing it because your participation will be crucial for Friday’s post 🙂
Please don’t forget, you can only choose one option. If the right answer isn’t available, you can write on the Other tag. I’m sure I missed many of your favourite and least favourite plots, but if you write them down, I’ll compile them and add them to the graphics that will be published next week. Also, if there is any question you’d like to know the answer, let me know, if I’m missing any important one, I can still add them during the week 🙂
If you’re not able to see the survey above, try switching your browser, some browsers are not showing it, but Microsoft Edge seems to work 🙂
I feel I’ve written too much today and that I’ve bored you, but to compensate you, I have a giveaway coming up 🙂
Today will giveaway to one of my readers the following:
1 Pillow – Reading is always a good idea
1 pair of Jane Austen’s earings
1 necklace – So many books so little time
1 bracelet – If a book is well written I always find it too short
The giveaway is international and to enter it all you have to do is fill in the survey and comment on this post saying you’ve done so. I have also created a Facebook Page for From Pemberley to Milton where I will start sharing the blogs posts and news, so if you’d like to have a second entry in the giveaway follow the page and let me know in the comments you are already following.
This is the first of many giveaways we’ll have here this week, and it will only be open until next Saturday as all winners for all giveaways will be announced next Sunday.
Good Luck everyone!
Done the Survey and followed the Facebook Page.
Congratulations for the 5 years of the blog. I Love it.
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Thank you so much Patricia! I really appreciate your support 🙂 Good luck on the giveaway 🙂
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Congratulations on your Blog Birthday! I completed the survey. Gonna go make sure I follow your Facebook page as well!
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Thank you so much for everything Pam!! I hope the Facebook was a good idea 🙂
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Wow! Has it really been five years? Love having your blog posts over the years. Such a great variety and enjoy them all. Wishing you many more wonderful years of blogging.
Look forward to seeing how our survey answers add up.
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I know, sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday! Thank you so much for all the encouragement over the years Sophia 🙂 And I hope you like to see the stat results next Friday 🙂
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Of course I joined your Facebook page! 🙂 Congrats on launching that.
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Thank you for everything Sophia :))
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Your stats are amazing! Loved the surveys. Congratulations on your 5 years. Awesome!
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Thank you so much Jennifer :))
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Congratulations! Five years. Wow! You make this a richer place. ❤
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Thank you so much Nicole :)) It’s all because of authors like you 🙂
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You must be very proud of your of everything you accomplish. It’s thanks to you that I read North and South, and watch the series ( and meet Richard Armitage)😁😁😁
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Thank you so much Carla!! Is that true?? That is so cool!!! I bet you fell in love with Richard Armitage :)) He is incredible:) Thank you for all your support :))
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Rita, I love this type of post with all the statistics, so interesting to see how things have changed over time. I filled in your survey and have liked your Facebook page. I have been meaning to make one too, to keep my blog separate from my personal page.
Congratulations on your 5 year blogiversary!
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Thank you so much Ceri! I’ve been meaning to do it for a long time too because first of all, I can only automatically publish the posts on Facebook if I have a page, and not a profile and then because like you I think it is better to have a separe page. Sometimes I want to post many things JAFF related and I am afraid my other friends will think I’m obsessed (which may be true), so now I am free to post anything JAFF related I want :)))
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Done the survey.
Huge congratulations! Having a blog is not easy.
For many more years!
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Five years is pretty awesome, and loved looking at your stats. Congratulations and Hugs, RO
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Thank you so much :)) It hasn’t been easy to keep up for 5 years, and in 2019 I did stop for a few months, but I’m convinced to keep going for as long as this gives me pleasure and people care to read what I share :))
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Completed the survey and like the FB page.
You might like Mansfield Park variations where the Crawfords marry Edmund and Fanny, pairings I prefer rather than canon
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Thank you so much Vesper 🙂 That’s interesting, I think I would prefer those pairings too. I’ve never read any Mansfield Park variation, but that may be a good start 🙂
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Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Rita. I know how much work went into it and appreciate your dedication and talent. Best, LA
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Thank you so much Laurel Ann 🙂 Your support means a lot me! I hope I can continue to improve the content, there is still much to be done 🙂
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Wow, look at all you’ve accomplished in 5 years! Congratulations! Survey complete and page liked!
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Thank you so much Katie 🙂 I hope I can make it better over the next 5 years, there is so much to improve!
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Survey completed. Good luck to you, happy 5th blog anniversary. Congratulations.
I am a recent reader of this blog.
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Thank you so much Dominique! I hope you like what you’re finding here, and if there is anything that could be better, please let me know 🙂 My goal is to consistently improve :)) Thanks for following 🙂
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I accepted your page invite as you know and I’ve filled in the survey.
I love whatever you feel like posting. I really enjoy excerpts, reviews and recommendations. I rely on you and your fellow bloggers now after several bad buys in the past.
Thank you for all you do and good luck with your alterations! You’re so brave! I’m afraid to try anything technical. I have no idea how to reverse errors for a start!
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Thank you so much Glynis! You’re of those people I’m really happy to have met because of this blog, your friendship and support throughout the years have meant a lot to me! Oh, I’m super scared of the change, but I’m hoping I will be able to revert things if anything goes wrong. The main point is that I want to have menus where you can easily find a review per genre etc, and at the moment I only have 4 different pages, so that’s not possible. But we’ll see 🙂 Fingers crossed 🙂
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Done the survey and liked the Facebook page. I’m new to the blog. I’ve also been reading a lot of different things and genres but are glad to be back to Austen world. Congrats !
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Thank you so much Cristina! I’m so happy you discovered this blog and I hope I can get you hooked on JAFF :)) Those who love Austen and start reading these cannot stop for a while 🙂
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Hi Rita,
Heartiest congratulations on your fifth anniversary! 🌺🎂🍷
You must be so proud of all the books you’ve read,the reviews
you’ve posted and all the authors you’ve enthusiastically welcomed and applauded over the past five years!
I’ve filled out the questionnaire but as I’m not on Facebook,I posted a little comment after each answer.
Hope you and yours are well. Stay safe. 😊
Mary.
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Thank you so much for taking the survey and for all your kind words Mary :))
We’re all healthy and safe, I hope you and yours are safe too 🙂
Good luck in the giveaway and thank you for the extra comments 🙂
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Happy blog anniversary, Rita! You do a. Amazing job and I would only want to have more time to read you.
I have answered the questions but the one about the favourite plot is quite difficult to answer 🙂
I’m really happy that you are also on Facebook, there are many people who do not normally go to blogs.
For many many years more From Pemberley to Milton ♥️
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Thank you so much Ana!!! I’m sooooo happy that our love for JAFF brought us together! You will definitely be a part of my top 5 Jane Austen Road Trip moments! The first time I met you was memorable and I’ll always cherish the relationship we’ve developed 🙂 I know how much time it takes to keep a blog alive, so I understand why you don’t have more time to stop by, but I know you’re always here to help me if need be :))) I hope both FPTM and MVAW keep going for many years :)) Thank you for stopping by 🙂
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😊 It has been great all this time knowing you too and I will definitely remember that first meeting in London. Let’s see when we can meet again, it was supposed to be this summer with my roadtrip around the peninsula but it will happen soon.
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Happy 5th Anniversary, a Blogiversary!
Filled out the survey.
Followed on Facebook.
Denise
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Thank you for five years of helpful 7 intriguing posts.
I “liked” you FB page.
Great prizes. Where are the earrings from?
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Thank you Beatrice 🙂 I got them on Ali Express, so they are not from any official store, but they are really cute 🙂
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Also thank you for the survey – I appreciate being able to indicate my JAFF preferences. We all have them, but it’s not trivial to get the specifics to the attention of our authors.
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Congrats on your 5th Blogiversary and have done the survey
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Thank you so much Nina!
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Hi Rita, please do not consider me for the survey giveaway.
I remember when your page started. I’ve enjoyed reading what you have to say.
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Thank you so much Ginna 🙂 That’s the type of encouragement that keeps me going 🙂
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Happy Anniversary, Rita. Wow! Time sure flies. I didn’t join until mid-2016 so I haven’t been with you as long as the others. I’m not on Facebook so I am glad to be included in the drawing from this site. I hope all goes well with your update and remodel. I can’t wait to see your new format. Blessings, dear lady. You have given your followers so much fun to read and we love your site. Stay safe and healthy.
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Thank you so much Jeanne! Even if you’ve only discovered FPTM in 2016, I feel you’ve been here since the very start 🙂 Your constant support means a lot to me and I hope we can continue chatting about books for 5 more years! I’m curious to know your opinion on the new layout 🙂
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@JW Garrett: Maybe not the place to write this, but just wanted to say I’m a big fan of yours. I always check for Amazon reviews by you if considering a book Rita has not already reported on.
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Congrats on your 5th anniversary!
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Thank you so much :))
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Congratulations on 5 wonderful years!!! This is an awesome blog 🙂 And I also have now followed the FB page 😀 Keep going, you do amazing work!
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Thank you so much for your encouragement Erika :))
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Congratulations Rita. And thank you for providing us all with this wonderful resource. I look forward to the next 5!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Such a fun and informative survey too.
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Congratulations on five wonderful years of blogging, dear Rita! You are a source of encouragement to writers and a fount of information for readers. I love your stats and look forward to the results of your survey. May we enjoy many, many more years of reading your blog and knowing you!
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Happy 5th Anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been five years already. Time definitely passes quickly! Love the stats and your content for the past five years. Looking forward to see the survey from other readers as well and your new format. I’ve completed the survey!
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Rita, you are doing an amazing job! Congratulations!
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Wonderful blog. Congrats on 5 years. Filled out the survey and followed on FB. Keep writing because we are reading!
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Great blog and congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. I have completed the survey and followed your blog. Thank you
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Thank you Debbie ;))) I hope you like the new blog 🙂
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What a fantastic 5 years it’s been!! Hope that there will be at least 50 more to come 😀 Don the survey, the prices are so pretty especially the bracelet!!
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Survey done and FB followed. I struggled a little with the favourite plot – any plot is a great plot if it’s written well. I think that is what makes the genre so enduring.
Thanks for your blog
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Such fun to fill out the survey, some questions I actually never thought about!
It’s been some cool 5 years, for sure and here’s to 5 more!
Who made the gifts in the giveaway? Everything looks lovely!
Hope the FB page has much success, following!
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My dear Rita. In this 5th anniversary I must truly thank you for being kind of a mentor discovering the wonderful world of JAFF. Wish you all the best for your projects.
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Congrats on 5 years! I completed to survey and followed you on Facebook.
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Congratulations on reaching 5 years and thank you for this generous giveaway! I completed all the survey questions although some I had trouble answering. For the secondary characters question I went with Mary Bennet but I also LOVE Colonel Fitzwilliam (especially when him and Mary are paired together) and also really like Georgiana. Hope you are doing well and staying safe!
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I filled out the survey and have followed you on FB. I am pretty new to your blog, after seeing you during JAFF in June. The statistics are fascinating. Thank you for sharing them!
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Congratulations! I really liked the survey and will be interested to see the results. I also follow you on FB. Keep blogging, please!
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Happy Aniversary, Rita, and here’s to many more! Thanks so much for your wonderful blog! Please, please keep going!!
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Happy 5th Anniversary, Congratulations! I completed the survey. Thank you for offering a generous giveaway.
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Dear Rita, it seems like yesterday I discovered your blog. Been a happy follower ever since. Congrats on your five years!! Hope you continue to delight us. I am not on facebook but I did the survey, fingers crossed 🙂 All the best, Charlotte
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Congrats on 5 years! I love following your blog. I’ve completed the survey, thanks for the amazing giveaways!
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Congratulations Rita. Such an “accomplished lady” 😉
I completed the survey. Thank for the chance to win these generous give-aways.
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