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Tag Archives: books
Ma Vie Française #5: Author Olga Swan
My latest guest is a somewhat unusual occupant of this slot, in that she had une vie française but doesn’t anymore. More of that below. Olga Swan has had several novels published by Crooked Cat Books, including Vichysoisse, part of … Continue reading
Ma Vie Française #4: Janine Marsh and the Good Life
Today, I’m excited to welcome someone who not only lives in France, but also has visited every corner of it. Janine Marsh runs a phenomenally successful website, The Good Life France and edits a free ezine, The Good Life France … Continue reading
Ma Vie Française #3: Author Angela Wren
Today, I continue my occasional interview series with people who have made their life in France or who have a particular attachment to it. Author Angela Wren is in the latter category. Let’s find out why she finds France so … Continue reading
Posted in Ma Vie Française Interviews
Tagged Angela Wren, author, books, camping in France, Cevennes, France, French life, Messandrierre, visiting France
16 Comments
The Little Free Library Inaugurated at Saint-Antonin
So many words have poured out in the past few days, and no doubt will continue to do so, about the horrific events in Paris this week. I can’t add anything to them that isn’t trite or obvious. So … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, French life, Places
Tagged books, Expat, library, Little Free Library, living in France, reading, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, street library, SW France
10 Comments
Parisot Literary Festival October 2014
A heads-up about the second Parisot Literary Festival/Festival Littéraire de Parisot, which will take place this year from 10th to 12th October. Parisot is only a small place with about 500 inhabitants but there’s a lot going on. This event … Continue reading
Another excerpt from ‘The House at Zaronza’
With a little over two weeks to go before publication, here is another short extract from my novel The House at Zaronza. The story is set in early 20th-century Corsica and at the Western Front during World War I.
Posted in Books/writing, Corsica, History
Tagged books, Cap Corse, Corsica, novel, The House at Zaronza, Writing
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An excerpt from my forthcoming novel, ‘The House at Zaronza’
I’m getting very excited about the publication of my historical novel with Crooked Cat Publishing, which is only just over a month away. I’m also delighted with the cover, above. Between now and 29th July, I’ll publish a few short extracts, starting … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, Corsica, Places
Tagged books, Corsica, Crooked Cat Publishing, Historical fiction, The House at Zaronza, Writing
20 Comments
My novel, The House at Zaronza, to be published by Crooked Cat Publishing
I’m thrilled to announce that my novel, The House at Zaronza, will be published by independent publishers Crooked Cat Publishing, probably this summer. The novel is based partly on a true story, which we discovered on holiday in Corsica in … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, Corsica
Tagged books, Corsica, Crooked Cat Publishing, Lorraine Mace, The House at Zaronza, Writers Abroad, Writing
30 Comments
Parisot Literary Festival 2013: the Verdict
‘I [want to] congratulate you on a tremendous literary festival. We enjoyed it immensely and marvelled at the quality of writers you attracted.’ We’ve received many kind comments from people who attended the festival during the weekend of 11th-13th October. … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes at the Parisot Literary Festival
First, a reminder to anyone who lives in the area or is visiting that our first Literary Festival will take place in Parisot this weekend (11th-13th October) with a line-up of both French and British authors. See the programme on … Continue reading
Goose Fat and Garlic
A few weeks ago – only just found time to write about it – I attended the launch of a new edition of Goose Fat and Garlic, a book about the cooking and recipes of SW France. Jeanne Strang, who … Continue reading
Posted in Aveyron, Books/writing, Food/drink/recipes
Tagged Aveyron, books, Ferme Carlès, food, Goose Fat and Garlic, Jeanne Strang, recipes, SW France
15 Comments
A Great Way to Celebrate Three Years
My blog is three years old today. It has survived the terrible twos and is now learning joined-up writing. And it has readers as far apart as Nova Scotia and Qatar. It will not have escaped your notice that today … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, French life
Tagged anthology, blogs about France, books, expat writers, Foreign Encounters ebook, France, Writers Abroad, Writing
12 Comments
Foreign Encounters Book Launch
I’m a bit late reporting on this event, which took place about 10 days ago. Blame this wretched novel I’m working on for National Novel Writing Month. I have almost reached the requisite 50,000 words but mine is going to … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing
Tagged books, Foreign Encounters, living in France, médiathèque de Parisot, Parisot, Writers Abroad, Writing
20 Comments
Foreign Encounters, a New Anthology from Writers Abroad
Writers Abroad, the online writing group for ex-pat writers I belong to, is publishing a new anthology today, entitled Foreign Encounters. It contains short stories, non-fiction and poems by writers who are, or have been, ex-pats. They live in, or … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, World War I & II
Tagged books, Expat, Foreign Encounters, living in France, Writers Abroad, Writing
9 Comments
Who Won the Blog Hop Book?
Just a short post today to say thank you to everyone who joined in the blog hop last Monday, organised by Steph at Blog in France . I enjoyed reading some new (to me) blogs and ‘meeting’ other bloggers and … Continue reading
Book Review: Aveyron, a Bridge to French Arcadia
I don’t often do book reviews here. It’s difficult to strike a balance between being overly ingratiating and offensively critical. However, I am making an exception today to mention a book I have just finished and enjoyed about the Aveyron … Continue reading
Posted in Aveyron, Books/writing, History, Places
Tagged Aveyron, Aveyron a Bridge to French Arcadia, books, SW France, Thirza Vallois
11 Comments
French country life a century ago
I have often wondered how it must have been to live in our house a century ago. Nowadays, we take for granted running water, inside lavatories, central heating and double-glazing. The people then had none of those things.
Posted in Books/writing, Customs, History, Personalities, World War I & II
Tagged books, country life, France, history, living in France
11 Comments
French novels – 10 of the best, nos. 6-10
A selection of the top 10 French novels, by A writer’s lot in France. Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, French life, Language, Top tips
Tagged Balzac, blogs about France, books, French, French novels, Gautier, Literature, Mérimée, Mme de La Fayette, novels, Simenon, Writing
3 Comments
French novels – 10 of the best, nos. 1 to 5
And now for something completely different. A personal selection of the top 10 French novels, the ones I keep coming back to. Numbers 1 to 5 are in this post. For Numbers 6-10, click here. See also my post about French … Continue reading
Posted in Books/writing, French life, Top tips
Tagged blogs about France, books, de Maupassant, Film, Flaubert, France, French literature, French novels, Michelet, Pagnol, rural life, Writing, Zola
4 Comments
