Babelgum launched the first Jane Austen-inspired web series “SEX AND THE AUSTEN GIRL” in collaboration with Penguin Books, USA and Bloomsbury Publishing, UK.

Original Babelgum Comedy Series based on the best-selling novels Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. 23 episodes.

babelgum.com/sexandtheaustengirl

While works from and inspired by Jane Austen have been turned into successful movies and TV programs, "Sex and the Austen Girl" marks the very first time such a literary property has been adapted exclusively for the web.

Premiering Exclusively on Babelgum May 17, Series Based on the Best-Selling Jane Austen Addict Novels from Bloomsbury Publishing and Penguin Group.
LONDON / NEW YORK / LOS ANGELES (May XX, 2010) – Independent web and mobile video content platform Babelgum is working with leading book publishers Penguin Books and Bloomsbury Publishing to launch their first web series “Sex and the Austen Girl.” The 20-episode series, produced by Brian Gerber and Thomas Rigler at LA-based boutique production company Gerber Rigler, is based on the best-selling Jane Austen Addict novels authored by Laurie Viera Rigler and marks the publisher's first foray into webisodic content with some of its most popular characters. “Sex and the Austen Girl’ premiered exclusively on Babelgum, Monday, May 17.

“As Babelgum Comedy continues to move forward with creating professionally-produced, brand-friendly and celebrity-driven content, it made complete sense to tap into the publishing world and provide a new business model for books that creates a completely new and different immersive experience,” said Amber J. Lawson, publisher of Babelgum’s Comedy Channel. “We are thrilled to be the exclusive network for the web series based on these wonderful two Jane Austen-inspired novels published by both USA's Penguin Group and UK's Bloomsbury Publishing. The collaboration with Bloomsbury provides a mutually beneficial worldwide promotion to introduce Austen's devoted audience to new platforms. ‘Sex and the Austen Girl’ is sure to appeal to Jane Austen fans, as well as allow Bloomsbury to extend their reach through our vast global community.”

“Sex and the Austen Girl” is inspired by the bestselling novels by Laurie Viera Rigler: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. Literary deals for both novels were closed by Marly Rusoff & Associates in North America, UK, the Netherlands, and Italy.
“Bloomsbury is very excited to be part of this innovative venture. Sex and the Austen Girl promises to introduce a new audience to the delights of Rigler’s addictive novels,” said Laura Brooke of Bloomsbury Publishing. “With Sex and the Austen Girl we are able to see Rigler’s beloved book characters come alive and introduce them to new audiences through a fun, smart series,” said Mary Pomponio of Penguin Group (USA). This is an incredibly imaginative way to promote Laurie's two books using multimedia and Internet." “We are excited about collaborating with Babelgum because of its vast global reach and reputation for intelligent comedy. It’s pioneering and great timing for the publishing industry ,” says Marly Rusoff.

“Sex and the Austen Girl” features two women who have inexplicably switched bodies, time periods, and lives – one from Regency England, the other from 21st-century Los Angeles – debating the pros and cons of life and love in today's world vs. Jane Austen's world.
Rising stars Arabella Field (National Treasure, The Sopranos, House, Seinfeld, Godzilla) plays contemporary LA girl Courtney Stone, and Fay Masterson (Bones, Medium, The Starter Wife, A Christmas Carol) stars as Jane Mansfield from Regency England. In “Sex and the Austen Girl” the women exchange tips on life, love, and dating, while quoting lines from and/or making reference to the one thing they have in common aside from their propensity for romantic disaster: Jane Austen.

The May 17 release of “Sex and the Austen Girl” coincides with the North American release of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, the second book of the Austen Addict series. Rude Awakenings will debut in the UK in February 2011.