Aether and Ego

It is autumn 1845, and Elizabeth Bennet is a part of the second generation embarking on a centuries-long flight to Alpha Centauri, working in the signal room and studying engineering aboard a massive centrifugal ship. When she is thrown into the orbit of the conventional Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth finds him haughty and intolerable.

But then her younger sister elopes. For all of their progress in the new society of the ship, a woman can still be ruined by an imprudent attachment. Can Elizabeth and Darcy save Lydia’s reputation, learn to like each other, and avoid being convicted of murder?

Aether and Ego is a steampunk retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with the addition of space travel, dogs, and accidental death.

Canadians, order from the publisher (or see below)

Americans, order from Bookshop (or see below)

Jump down to: ordering options; reviews & appearances.

Release date: 15 September 2026, Inanna Publications
Cover art by: Pei Yuan Li
ISBN (print): 978-1-83421-026-1
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-83421-027-8

Want a signed copy?

In Canada (and non-US international folks willing to pay overseas shipping): signed copies are available from Bookmark Halifax (but be sure to mention you’d like it signed).

In the US: order a paperback from Bookshop.org and email me your mailing address (joannemerriam at gmail) so I can send you a signed bookplate. I’ll get a small affiliate payment from Bookshop, which will help cover the postage, and Bookshop gives over 80% of their profit margin to independent bookstores.

All the places to order:

You can also help this book find its audience by requesting that your library buy a copy, putting a copy on hold in Libby or whatever your library uses to loan out ebooks, and by leaving reviews at Goodreads or Storygraph or wherever it is sold online!

Reviews & Appearances:

“Is there any literary lore in your hometown/where you live?” —Homegrown 2026: Books Grow Everywhere, All Lit Up, 1 October 2026

Aether and Ego by Joanne Merriam – Excerpt & Giveaway at From Pemberley to Milton, 17 September 2026

“Johannes Kepler and Shonda Rimes are responsible for the existence of my novel…” —Joanne Merriam writes about The Big Idea behind Aether and Ego, 16 September 2026

“This fall I am excited for the release of Aether & Ego, a steampunk reimagining that takes the Bennetts into the depths of space and promises puppies and comeuppance—all the right ingredients for a stellar remix (em dash and pun intentional).” —Tan, “The All Lit Up 2026 Fall Preview,” 1 September 2026

Cover, back cover, and inside cover blurbs:

“Aether and Ego is enormous fun and a worthy tribute to Austen. It left me dreaming of a better world.” —Kate Heartfield, author of The Embroidered Book

“A skillful reimagining of Pride and Prejudice with a speculative twist that casts familiar characters in a whole new light and breathes fresh life into a classic tale. Aether and Ego repeatedly subverts expectations and yet every twist feels utterly earned. Masterfully done!” —A.C. Wise, author of Wendy, Darling

“Elegant, smart, and transportive. Aether and Ego will delight Pride and Prejudice fans and alternative history readers alike.” —Laura Stanfill, author of Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary

“Like the original Pride and Prejudice, Aether and Ego features plenty of misunderstandings, lovelorn conversations, gleeful gossip, and barely averted scandals. But here, women are studying physics and playing daredevil stunts on the spaceship apparatus. Mothers are running businesses rather than scheming to marry off their daughters. The novel drew me in with its high-spirited characters and its moving depictions of solidarity among women.” —Rosalie Morales Kearns, author of Kingdom of Women

“If you love Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, you will enjoy Aether and Ego. Steampunk, the Regency in space – but interspersed with gardens and a lovely metaphor comparing life with a garden. Grab some Lady Grey, butter sandwiches and enjoy the book.” —Joyce Chng, writer of Fire Heart and Wolf’s Path