The Jane Girls
Lexi K. Nilson is an illustrator, picture book maker, surface designer, educator, and a creative hype girl who is always looking for ways to spark creative joy! She currently lives in Kalispell, Montana with her husband and rambunctious dog while working on her first picture book for Union Square Kids as both author and illustrator (to be published Winter 2027).
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Find more from Lexi K. at lexiknilson.com.
Nicole Jacobsen is a writer and teacher from California. She is interested in the intersection between writers and the places that inspired their works. In her spare time, she likes to bake, chat, travel, and spend time with the people she loves most.
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Read more from Nicole at nicolesbeenthinking.substack.com.
Devynn Dayton is a marketing professional with a passion for brand storytelling and social media strategy. She has helped startups across industries, from healthcare to consumer goods, craft messaging that connects and resonates. Devynn lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and their toddler.
Our Story
In early 2018, the three of us met as a trio and began to work on the ideas that eventually became Jane Was Here. As university students and Austen fans, we joined together as an interdisciplinary team to fulfill Lexi's vision of a Jane Austen tour of England and a travel guide produced as a result.
After months spent planning and researching, the three of us girls spent two weeks galavanting through the countryside of England, testing our North American tendencies for driving on the right side of the road on narrow country byways. Stepping back in time by retracing Jane Austen's footsteps and carriage tracks was an eye-opening experience for all, granting us new insight into the wit, courage, and tenacity of our beloved Jane.
Upon our return, we set to creating the illustrations and text that now form our guide. It's been a life-changing journey to get to see our dream come to life, and we are so grateful for all involved who have let us into their lives in small and big ways, joining in a love of the beauty and realness of Jane's words, worlds, and stories.
Lexi says...
[Austen’s work] is about heroines—especially those who lived beyond their conformity—growing into themselves and learning to choose light and love along the way.
Nicole says...
Jane Austen gives me something bold and wonderful to aspire to. I look up to her for many reasons, but foremost her ability to craft a witty turn of phrase.
Devynn says...
I look up to Jane Austen for being a strong woman using her talents the way she felt was necessary, not society. Her life both reassures and empowers me.
