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Joanne Merriam puts Pride and Prejudice in space

»ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ English alum Joanne Merriam (BA’96) celebrates the release of her debut novel, a steampunk reimagining of Jane Austen's classic featuring space travel and other unexpected twists.

Posted: September 25, 2026

A woman, head and shoulders, wearing glasses smiling in an outdoor setting.

Joanne Merriam (BA’96) is celebrating the release of her debut novel, Aether and Ego, published by Inanna Publications in September. Set in a Victorian-era steampunk world, the novel reimagines Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with the addition of space travel, dogs, and accidental death. Since graduating from »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥â€™s English program, Merriam has published more than 200 works of short fiction and poetry in literary and speculative journals and magazines, including The Antigonish Review, Blood+Honey, The Fiddlehead, and On Spec.

If you're interested in buying a copy, please consider your local independent bookstore. Signed copies can be obtained from Bookmark Halifax.

Cover art of novel Aether and Ego by Joanne Merriam.

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