From Paris with Love!

Nicola here, fresh back from Paris and the amazing Festival du Roman Feminin, Festival of Women’s Fiction. The festival is an annual event for readers and authors, and when I was invited I was thrilled; the combination of books and Paris was, of course, irresistible! I’m so glad I went. It was an opportunity to meet new-to-me authors as well as old friends, and also to have time to chat properly with readers in a relaxed way (chatting in Franglais and with the help of some awesome interpreters!)

Thursday morning found me at St Pancras Station in London all ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. It was a fast, smooth and
comfortable trip, delivering me to the Gard Du Nord whilst I was still wondering at how quick and easy it all was! The taxi ride through Paris to the hotel reminded me of how mad French traffic can be but also gave the opportunity for a whistle-stop sight-seeing tour of the city from Sacré Coeur to the Louvre, with the river Seine shining in the sun. (The photo is from the same bridge of the river at night and it's from Wikipedia.)

A nice meal in a typical French corner café, a good night’s sleep in a very comfortable hotel and we were all ready for the Festival to start. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the only other reader/author events I had been to were either huge affairs like the RWA literacy signing or small talks in libraries and bookshops. This was exactly the right size to be small enough that you didn’t get lost but big enough that there was a buzz, with about 250 people in total. In terms of warmth and friendliness and vibrancy it reminded me of RNA conferences but this was a different set up as the focus was on the readers.

There was one room for registration, refreshments and an informal sit down and chat area, and then various parallel sessions going on in different seminar rooms. Some of the talks were author panels on different aspects of writing, others were a meet and greet for authors and readers, there were readings, speed dating and writing events for aspiring authors. There were lots of books on offer too!

The first session I went to, plunging straight in, was called “Romance, a genre that continues to be debated.” This was a panel of French authors and I quickly realised that my neglected language skills weren’t up to following all of the quick fire discussion but I got enough of it to realise that in France as well as the UK and US (and no doubt elsewhere) the romance genre and the way it is viewed is a hot topic!

After that there was a panel with US authors Cathy Maxwell, Grace Burrowes and Charis Michaels on research in historical novels and then it was time for my first panel about writing in different genres. I was the only English-speaking author on the panel but fortunately my translator was brilliant and the discussion was a lively one around what it was like to write in more than one genre, whether we could write more than one sort of book at once (some of us can, others can’t!) and whether an author should write what they want or what publishers say the market wants. My fellow authors were charming and multi-talented: Between us we covered historical and timeslip fiction, young and new adult, paranormal, contemporary and even children’s books!

After lunch I met up with Cathy Maxwell and HelenKay Dimon on a panel talking about the work of organisations like the RNA and the RWA, and Cathy’s rather brilliant organisation “Romance Yarn” where readers and writers meet and mingle. This session was also the perfect opportunity to ask readers what they liked about reader/author events and what they would want to see if we set a Festival up in the UK. People were very enthusiastic and had lots of great ideas.

The day finished with a very entertaining and informative discussion on the appeal of Scottish romance with the inimitable Cathy Maxwell and Anna Campbell. I discovered French author Julie Dauge, who has very kindly sent me her books to read. If there’s one way to improve my French it has to be in the company of a hot historical highlander, so all you Francophiles out there, check out Julie’s books!

The next day, after a lively dinner with authors Anna Campbell, Annie West and lovely reader Peggy (and a cocktail or two!) we staggered out to the first session of the day where Annie was talking about the appeal and challenge of putting your stories into a foreign setting. It was particularly interesting for me to hear French authors talking about the UK as a foreign setting – it’s always a salutary lesson to see your country through other people’s eyes!

My meet and greet with readers came next and I think this was probably my favourite part of the whole Festival because it was so relaxed and gave me the chance to chat properly with readers (again in my pidgin French!) The random presence of a rather moth-eaten giraffe in the room was also an added bonus! I met Elodie (pictured), Christelle and so many other lovely readers. There is something very special about seeing your book in someone’s hand and realising they’ve read and enjoyed it!

My final panel discussion was a very funny and enjoyable debate on historical romance with Anna Campbell and the other English-speaking historical authors, touching on everything from historical fashions to views on how authentic a historical romance should be to the attitudes of the time. We concluded that strong heroines were not historically inaccurate as there have been remarkable women in every era of history.

A final book signing gave authors and readers a final chance to chat with promises to keep in touch online and meet up again next year. I have to say that if I’m invited I’ll be there like a shot, and hopefully some other UK authors will come along too. It was such fun, but also a great opportunity to hear what readers want and to speak to authors from different countries and explore the similarities and differences in our books and our markets. It quite inspired me to see if we could create a similar event in London and if we do I hope our French friends will come and visit. One thing it proved beyond all question – romance is a universal language. Thank you to Agnes and to all the volunteers who organised the Festival and made it such an amazing event!

Have you been to a reader festival or would you like to go to one? What would be your favourite aspect of a reader/author event? Would you like a meet and greet, readings, panel discussions or any other events? Please give me your ideas and who knows, we might try for a UK festival again! In the meantime, merci beaucoup and au revoir, Paris! Je t'aime!

Comments

[Mary Jo Putney]

Sigh! It sounds like reader and writer heaven, Nicola. I'd love to attend some day, but I don't even have a decent grasp of Franglais!

I love the idea of hearing how the French regard writing the UK as a foreign country. Fun! ("Le Highlander, ouo!")

[Nicola Cornick]

Mary Jo, it was just such fun to have a relaxed atmosphere to chat in and such a variety of topics to talk about. The readers are all so interesting and knowledgeable. Scottish historicals were VERY popular! And Paris... Sigh. The sights! The pastries!

[Sue W. McCormick]

The closest I have come to the type of event you described is the U. S. Science Fiction Conventions. These conventions are run by fans. They meet at hotels, conventions centers, and whatever other space can be found. They range from very small events to the HUGE WorldCons. (In 1969, St. Louis was host to the then largest WorldCon ever — it is now referred to as "that cozy St. Louiscon." It was the only Worldcon I have ever attended.

We have panels, we meet authors in corridors and just talk, we meet other fans and just talk. Some conventions have costumed events and some include a gaming content. Some have a singing component. Most have art shows.(Archon, the current regional from the St. Louis Area) as all of these.)

And we all get together and talk about books, and about writing (and about just about everything else we can think to talk about.

One aspect of the SF Convetion that may not be present in other reader/author gatherings is the room party.

Alas, I am too infirm and too deaf to attend a con these days.

[Linnea J Priest]

Wonderful knitting yarn in Paris! Wonderful food! I envy you the trip! (although I haven't been there for 48 years, so I'm sure it's different now!)

[Kathy Lynn Emerson]

Most of the mystery cons in the US are reader organized, even though the reader to writer ratio of attendees can be close to 1:1. Bouchercon is the largest (RWA sized) with Malice Domestic in the middle range and others around the country closer to 200 or so. All of them are great fun and a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with readers. The only downside is that with the exception of that year’s guests of honor, writers pay all their own expenses, including conference registration.

[Maryellen Webber]

I would be willing to travel to the UK for a Romance festival! (If I could manage the expense and time away from my son.) 🤔 I was going to attend a RWA in Atlanta a few years ago but I wasn't up to all the walking at the time. I am going to attend the next one if there is Romance event near me in Georgia. I would love to chat with authors, I am such an avid reader, I consider you all celebrities!!

[Bridget Costedoat]

Marie Jo Putney, I'm continuing my shameless plugging of the Festival. If you do not speak French, we have volunteers who translate the questions and your answers both ways. We (I'm one of them) can even sit with you for the Meet and Greets if you need us.

I just asked my friends if they read your books and in 2 minutes two of them said "Of course!!" so it would be amazing to have you at the Festival...

[Kareni]

What an enjoyable post, Nicole! Thanks for sharing the experience with us. I've not been to a reader festival...not YET been to a reader festival.

[6luciole]

Hi Nicola, I ‘m Élodie from the picture above.
I’m so glad you enjoyed your attending the festival.
I discovered it last year thanks to an author I read and who announced she will present so I decided to give it a go while I am not a big fan of big events but it was the right size with so many authors to discover, to meet and discus with plus the wide range of discussions.
The cozy atmosphere, the welcoming from the other readers always helpful and the kindness of the organizers put this event to a top rate for me.
So I hoped I would be able to come again.
I learned about the Rare in Paris this very April but it is not the kind of event that attract me, too crowded and not very much time to enjoy meeting the authors, and the signing is less important to me than the meeting.
At first I worried I would not be able to attend this year’s festival but I switched working days with my colleague and here I went.
Thanks to the list of authors, I read all the foreign authors who came, so it was a great opportunity to discover great writers.
And it was because of Virginia Heath who attended last year, that my love for historical romance was reawakened.
And the funny things is I meet and learned about French authors writing historical romances there, so more books to read.
So it is certain I will be back next year.
About an event in English, if it is in the same spirit, I would be happy to attend to.

[Nicola Cornick]

Hi Sue
The Science Fiction Conventions sounds brilliant! I think that when fans organise these things they can put in all the stuff they want, which is great. I love the idea of the art shows as well. That would be popular with romance readers, I think - a look at cover art.

[Nicola Cornick]

Linnea, I hadn't been there for years either but it didn't feel too much changed for me. The food was fantastic, from the pastries to the steaks!

[Nicola Cornick]

Hi Kathy Lynn. Malice Domestic is a great name for a mystery conference! I do love the element of readers and writers chatting in a relaxed atmosphere. I can see it could be very expensive for authors though; luckily Paris is easy for me at the moment so the costs aren't too high but that wouldn't be teh case for everyone.

[Nicola Cornick]

Ah, that's so nice, Maryellen, and we would love to meet you too!

[Nicola Cornick]

I'll second that, Mary Jo. Bridget translated for me and it worked really well. Your fans are waiting!

[Nicola Cornick]

Thank you, Kareni, I'm very glad you enjoyed it - and I hope you'll get the chance to go to a reader festival before too long of you would like to!

[Nicola Cornick]

Hi Elodie! Thank you so much for dropping in to the Word Wench blog. It's great to hear your views of the Festival. I totally agree it is small enough to be friendly. I'm not a fan of huge events either and I would have felt a bit lost with thousands of people! I'm so glad you were able to go this year and it was such a pleasure to meet you. I must have a chat with Virginia and see if she can come again. And if we decide on a UK festival I will let you know! Thanks again, Nicola.

[Mary T]

This reader festival sounds like a lot of fun. I have never been to one. I think what I would enjoy most is meeting all the authors whose works I enjoy so much. I'm a real fan girl!

[6luciole]

Oh I would love to see again Virginia, I do adore her work.
And I’m Lucky to be part of her ARC team.
It is just sad she is not yet translated in French.
A UK event would be great too if not to difficult to reach when we are not from Paris.
My last visit was some 25 years ago....

[mary jo putney]

Bridget, are you SERIOUS? I'd LOVE to come, though I'd have to rely heavily on brilliant translators like you. Let's talk! ([email protected])

[Bridget Costedoat]

Writers who would like to come, we haven't got the 2020 dates yet. We usually organise it to line up with the Loveletter Convention in Berlin, so that writers from the States, Canada or the Southern hemisphere can combine the two.

Please follow the page Festival du Roman Féminin or drop me a line on Facebook if you want to know more.
Bridget Costedoat (British in France)

[Nicola Cornick]

I felt just as excited to meet readers! Plus we're all readers, of course, so had so much in common...

[Nicola Cornick]

We'll be watching out for the 2020 details, Bridget. Thank you!

[Susiefelber]

So fun! Glad to learn of it. Where in Paris was it? What hotel did you stay at? Paris is my groove and I work for a company based there... I'd love to put this on my list.

[Annette N]

Nicola, it is obvious that you have inspired an entire new connection between readers and authors for Paris next year.

I believe that is because you have made this seem like a most wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Thanks for your descriptions, your pictures and all the wonderful emotional connections.

You have done a lovely job of inspiring everyone who read this blog.

[Elisa PASSERON-NGUYEN]

Mary Jo Putney,

I am one the French readers who attended the Festival du Roman Féminin, last Saturday, and I met Nicola Cornick who was so welcoming and friendly with us. Don't worry about your French or Franglais or whatever, since some of your French readers are also fluent in English. And the Festival du Roman Féminin foresees English-French translators every year for that event. French hotels and tourism sector require fluent or operational English in all their recruitments nowadays. So welcome to all English-speaking Romance writers to Paris in May next year ! We like you very much so please feel free to pay us a visit. Bienvenue à Paris in 2020, with all the best from your French readers !

[Nicola Cornick]

Hi Susie! We stayed at the Ibis Styles Olympiades in the 13th Arondissement as the conference centre was just around the corner from there. It's to the south but well connected by Metro and some great restaurants nearby! The hotel was fairly basic but clean, comfortable and quiet. All in all, very good!

[Nicola Cornick]

Thank you very much, Annette. What a lovely comment!

[Sue McCormick]

Kathy Lynn Emerson:

I just can't resist — I know why it's Bouchercon, but do you know he belongs to "us" also? He was a great editor and a good author in both mystery and SF.

[Christina Courtenay]

I would love to come with you next year! I’ll have to do some French conversation classes first though I think - my French is very rusty 😊

[John Jackson]

Fascinating stuff! A great way to connect with readers!

[Nicola Cornick]

Thanks, John. I was very inspired to try and revive the UK festival. You'd be a great person to organise that... what do you think?

[Nicola Cornick]

That would be so much fun, Christina! I'm planning on taking some French classes too - we can practise with each other!

[Nicola Cornick]

Thank you very much, Elisa. You are so welcoming and hospitable - it was one of the many lovely things about the conference!