Frances Duncan

Pronouns: She, they, ia

Iwi: Te Whanau Ā Apanui

Region: Wellington

Arts practice: Author

Links: 

• Website: https://francesduncandoes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesduncandoes/
• You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@francesduncandoes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francesduncandoes/
• Published works: https://books2read.com/ap/nzJoln/Frances-Duncan 

Frances (she/they) writes Austen-inspired fiction, offers Austen-inspired Life Coaching, hosts The Amateur Austenite Podcast and founded the Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand. (Obsessive, much?)

Based in Te Awa Kairangi/Lower Hutt Frances can often be found online discussing Jane Austen and her novels with fans around the world.

A newspaper article quoted Frances on Jane Austen saying she's "a snarky b*tch and I love that about her."

Frances featured in season 3 of My Business Stars, a podcast series featuring interviews with disabled business owners telling their business stories. This podcast is hosted by the Disability Business Network in partnership with CCS Disability Action and stars “that blind woman” Julie Woods. (episode link: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-stars/episode-23)

Working with me:

I would love to collaborate with other disabled artists. Most of my coaching and writing clients are neurodiverse (like me!). Please tell me how I can effectively meet your needs. The best way to contact me is through my website.

Bio photo details:

Bio photo credit: Chelles Roberts

The artwork behind Frances in her bio photo is by Wellington-based artist Chevron Hassett (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu). The artwork is titled 'The Upper Jaw'.

The Upper Jaw talks about the sacred celestial teachings called ‘Te Kauwae-Runga’. This knowledge was passed within the Whare-Wānanga of the Eastern Māori tribes descended from the Takitimu waka. This piece illustrates the Ngā Rangi Tuhaha (Twelve Heavens) that exist in The Upper Jaw, which Tāne Nui a Rangi climbed to collect the three baskets of knowledge – Te Kete Tuauri, Te Kete Tuatea and Te Kete Aronui to share with the world and humanity. The work also symbolises the celestial teachings passed through to me from my grandfather and all the mauri, mana and aroha that he has given to my existence and practice.