Tag Archives: books

Ma Vie Française #5: Author Olga Swan

Posted on 20/08/2017 by

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 →

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Ma Vie Française #4: Janine Marsh and the Good Life

Posted on 21/05/2017 by

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 →

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Ma Vie Française #3: Author Angela Wren

Posted on 26/02/2017 by

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 →

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The Little Free Library Inaugurated at Saint-Antonin

Posted on 10/01/2015 by

  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 →

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Parisot Literary Festival October 2014

Posted on 25/09/2014 by

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 →

Posted in Books/writing, Corsica, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

New Literary Magazine from Ex-pat Writing Group Writers Abroad

Posted on 15/09/2014 by

The online writing community for ex-pats that I belong to, Writers Abroad, published the first issue of its new literary magazine on 1st September. It’s packed full of interesting stuff and it’s absolutely free.

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Another excerpt from ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 13/07/2014 by

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.

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An excerpt from my forthcoming novel, ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 26/06/2014 by

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 , , , , , | 20 Comments

My novel, The House at Zaronza, to be published by Crooked Cat Publishing

Posted on 18/03/2014 by

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 , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Parisot Literary Festival 2013: the Verdict

Posted on 22/10/2013 by

‘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 →

Posted in Books/writing, Places | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Next Big Thing – Writers Abroad’s Latest Anthology

Posted on 16/10/2013 by

Every year since 2010, the online writing group for expat writers to which I belong – Writers Abroad – has published an anthology. Since we are spread across the globe and all the work is carried out online, this is … Continue reading →

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Behind the Scenes at the Parisot Literary Festival

Posted on 09/10/2013 by

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 →

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Goose Fat and Garlic

Posted on 08/07/2013 by

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 , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Ex-Pat Writers – Contribute to a New Anthology

Posted on 01/05/2013 by

Originally posted on Vanessa Couchman:
The online ex-pat writers’ group, Writers Abroad, of which I’m a member, will be publishing its fourth anthology this year, with the working title of Far Flung and Foreign. We are looking for other ex-pat…

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A Great Way to Celebrate Three Years

Posted on 14/02/2013 by

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 →

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The Next Big Thing – ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 04/01/2013 by

Since I wrote this (in 2013), The House at Zaronza has been published by Crooked Cat Publishing, in July 2014. Find out more about it on my writing site. The House at Zaronza is temporarily unavailable pending a new edition … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, Corsica | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Foreign Encounters Book Launch

Posted on 19/11/2012 by

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 , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Foreign Encounters, a New Anthology from Writers Abroad

Posted on 24/10/2012 by

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 , , , , , | 9 Comments

Opportunity to Contribute to a New Expat Anthology

Posted on 03/05/2012 by

My online, expat writers’ group, Writers Abroad, will be publishing its third anthology this year, Foreign Encounters. We are seeking submissions of short stories, non-fiction pieces and poetry on the general theme of relationships around the world. Contributors must be … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who Won the Blog Hop Book?

Posted on 27/04/2012 by

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 →

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Book Review: Aveyron, a Bridge to French Arcadia

Posted on 07/04/2012 by

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 , , , , | 10 Comments

Writers Abroad short story anthology now available

Posted on 20/11/2010 by

The Writers Abroad anthology of short stories themed on expat life is now available, says A writer’s lot in France. Read on for further details… Continue reading →

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French country life a century ago

Posted on 17/11/2010 by

  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 , , , , | 8 Comments

What do I miss about England?

Posted on 03/10/2010 by

I have just returned from a visit to the UK. People often ask me what I miss about England, having left 13 years ago. I can happily live without most things, but there are three features of English life I … Continue reading →

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A reminder about the Writers Abroad anthology

Posted on 22/09/2010 by

Just a reminder that you have about three weeks to submit a fictional short story to Writers Abroad for publication in an anthology of the same name, to be published in support of UK National Short Story Week (NSSW). You … Continue reading →

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French novels – 10 of the best, nos. 6-10

Posted on 09/05/2010 by

A selection of the top 10 French novels, by A writer’s lot in France. Continue reading →

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French novels – 10 of the best, nos. 1 to 5

Posted on 09/05/2010 by

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments