With the launch of The Parisian Chapter, May has been an exciting month. Thank you for your kind words of congratulations and for your support! I appreciate the photos, emails, and posts on social media as well as seeing so many smiling faces in the audience. Un grand merci to Penelope Fletcher, proprietor of the Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore, who has supported me from my debut novel in 2009. I don’t know what Parisian writers would do without her.

On the evening of the launch, my husband Eddy was the MVP. After working an eight-hour shift, he schlepped the cheese platters and water bottles, constructed the canopy tent, asked questions after the talk, and served the champagne.

The book is so dear to my heart that I don’t quite know how to describe it. In 2010, I started writing, inspired by snippets of library life. I was also inspired by losing someone I considered my dearest friend. I didn’t understanding her sudden distance or what I’d done wrong. This book is for anyone who has lost a friend or fought to save a friendship. The heart of my novel The Paris Library is the relationship between Margaret and Odile. They both made mistakes and hurt each other. The heart of The Parisian Chapter is not only friendship, but also how we come together and how we work together to save the things that matter to us. The way we treat each other — whether friends or strangers — defines us. This is true of families, businesses, and countries.

In early drafts of The Paris Library, I was writing towards an end in which my main character Odile died. For many years, the last scene of the novel was her death. It was on a writing retreat at a convent in Bruges with fellow author Anne Marsella that I had a “flash” (something that has only happened to me twice in my twenty-year writing career) that Odile would live and reunite with her friend Margaret. After this moment, I no longer intended the end of The Paris Library to be the end of their story. In The Parisian Chapter, I’m grateful to give the two friends a short encore.

Anne Marsella and I have gone on retreats in convents throughout the years. They cost about fifty dollars per day, including food. This time, we splurged on a writing retreat at the Creative Mill, with host Kate Kemp-Griffin and facilitator Jami Bernard. We wrote, took long walks, ate delicious meals, and shared what we were working on with a great group of writers. Part of the four-day retreat was turning our phones off, which made me nervous. I usually start my day by checking for messages. The retreat changed this habit for me. Now I journal first and wait a few hours to pick up my phone. It was good to reset.

It was a great month to see some author friends passing through Paris. I had a great time chatting with Cara Black and the members of the tour that she co-organized. Early in my career when I was struggling to believe that I would ever be published, Cara spoke to a writing class I was taking. I’ll never forget her words of encouragement. I loved her latest novel Huguette, which is set in the murky days following World War II.

Last autumn, I had champagne with Patricia Sands and Deborah Bine and came away from the afternoon thinking these writers knew how to live. I was thrilled to see them again and to receive a copy of Patricia’s latest, The French Effect. The first pages whisked me away to snowy days when everything felt possible.

I was very excited to meet Kristin Harmel in person. I consider her my “cover girl” because her endorsements grace the covers of The Paris Library and The Parisian Chapter. She’s inundated with requests from hundreds of writers, so I feel very lucky that she took time during a research and birthday trip to meet for breakfast and attend my launch. I can’t wait to dive into her latest book, Meet Me in Paris.

I was very happy to see Meg Waite Clayton, author of the brilliant Typewriter Beach. She was one of the first people to interview me when my debut came out, and I so appreciate her kindness.

In Basel, Eddy and I visited the Cézanne exhibit at the Beyeler Foundation. It was moving to learn that he painted the same mountain 87 times, a reminder that we all need to work hard to master a passion. The museum offered paint, brushes, and canvases so Eddy and I tried our hand at painting. It was fun and surprisingly relaxing. Afterwards, we got to hang our watercolors on the wall.

On June 6 at 4 p.m., I look forward to returning to Bill & Rosa’s Book Room at 42 rue du Chemin Vert in Boulogne-Billancourt to present The Parisian Chapter. I hope you’ll join us!

Thank you for reading my newsletter and my novels. Your support keeps me going!

My best,

Janet

Hello, Friends,

National Library Week is a reminder of how impactful libraries are. I grew up in small-town Montana, where the closest bookstore was 90 miles away. I’m especially grateful for my hometown libraries. In my elementary school library, I encountered women like Eleanor Roosevelt, who used her voice to speak for others, as well as Marie Curie, who was born in Poland but worked and studied in Paris. In junior high, the library was a place of respite. When I needed a break from the noise in my head, I left class and sat near the librarian. In high school, I browsed the stacks and found James Baldwin, who also lived and wrote in France. These books were the building blocks of my future, the maps that proved that I could travel and write for a living. Books are field guides, how-to manuals, respite, solace, entertainment, a university of thought, and bridges. Support your local library by getting your card, volunteering, making a donation, or becoming a friend.

My novel The Parisian Chapter is an ode to libraries. Told from ten points of view, it underlines the relationship each character has with the library. For David, a volunteer, the library is home; for Tolstoy, a soldier with PTSD, it is a second chance; for Lily, the library is a trampoline that jumpstarts her career. And because novels need friction, there are a few disgruntled characters. The head librarian has started to loath people - to him the library is a battlefield. To the director, the job is constant stress, ranging from problem patrons to busted water pipes. Depending on the POV, the library is a source of frustration, dread, hope, or joy.

It is here that you see my Montana roots. The form of The Parisian Chapter is a wagon wheel. The main character Lily Jacobsen is the hub. The other narrators are radiating spokes that connect to the tire. The wheel is endangered when several spokes break. Like a wagon wheel, the library is reinforced by the patrons and staff. And of course, these spokes speak to our experiences.

One of my favorite spokes is the character Felicity, a trailing spouse. She visits the library to check out books for her teen daughter, Ellen. At the scent of the stacks, she is hit by nostalgia, not only when she used to take Ellen to story hour, but to when her own mother used to take her to the library as a child. I love these beautiful echoes in life. Seeing a small child with their mother is when I miss my own mother the most.

It’s always a pleasure to talk to readers and students! This month, I spoke with author Anne Marsella’s creative writing class at the French business school ESSEC. I always love connecting with classes and book clubs. Don’t hestitate to get in touch with me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

At Ecole Jeannine Manuel, I was invited to lead a writing workshop with a great group of students, thanks to librarian Helen Stathopulos Géhin, the former children’s library of the American Library in Paris. We reminisced about working evenings there - the unexplained clunking noises, the eerie lighting. “It’s haunted,” she joked. Her words brought a smile to my lips because The Parisian Chapter features a ghost who notes that in Paris, we pedestrians are always tramping over our ancestors’ bones.

I was thrilled that the Brown Club of France invited me to give a talk. How did this happen? Librarian Robin Karvo invited me to speak at the Boulogne-Billancourt Library. The event was attended by author Jennifer Steil and her friend Catherine Boalch, who mentioned my presentation about the women of CARD to Fama Touré, the Club’s president. He did tons of outreach to find a venue and invite people, as well as create a lovely rooftop reception. I am grateful to all four of them for helping me get the word about my work, and grateful to the friends who showed up to support me.

On the same day of this event, I received the following email informing me that my speaking agent would no longer be representing me. For a long time, I hid bad news and failures because I felt shame. But now, I think it is important to be open, which is why I am sharing this with you now. There are ups and downs in this business and in life. The only thing we can do is persevere.

On a more positive note, it’s exciting to see the real-life characters of Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade in the news. First, I was thrilled to talk to author and professor Anne Cockerham of the Frontier Nursing University about founder, Mary Breckinridge. I was so happy to meet Bobbi Silver in Paris. She was instrumental for many of the images used in my novel. Many thanks to Bobbi and Anne!

After several years of pitching articles about the women of the American Committee for Devastated France, I received an acceptance from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette!

Eddy and I were excited to host Mark LaFlaur and Janet Cameron for a meal. Mark, a fellow novelist, is a senior production editor at Simon & Schuster. He has worked on all four of my books. It takes a huge amount of thought, effort, attention to detail, passion for the written work, and patience to ensure that a flawed manuscript becomes a polished novel. I feel very lucky to work with Mark and have treasured our email exchanges over the years. Janet has also had fascinating roles in publishing, and it was a treat to hear about her experiences.

Here is a snapshot of a daytrip with fellow authors Jennifer Steil and Paige McClanahan to meet author Jennifer Lunden and Mandy Torsey-Guillet, director of the English-Language Library in Angers. It was great to explore the library and the city in such great company. I will return for sure!

If you are in Paris, I hope to see you for the launch of The Parisian Chapter at The Red Wheelbarrow at 7 p.m. on May 5th!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to my newsletter, and for caring about my characters. Your support keeps me going.

My best,

Janet

I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful spring! On March 29th, we mark the 150th anniversary of Jessie “Kit” Carson’s birth. This intrepid librarian was not only one of the first women to climb Mount Rainier, she also moved mountains to help children reeling from loss.

During World War I, Carson set sail to France, where she braved German air raids as a member of the American Committee of Devastated France, Le Comité américain pour les régions dévastées (CARD). The 350 women of this aid organization, founded by Anne Morgan (daughter of JP Morgan), lived just miles from the front, near the civilians they served in the war-torn North. As the head of the committee’s library section, Carson helped kids. Their fathers were at the front or dead. During the brutal, four-year German occupation, children and mothers were enslaved, starved, and forced to do back-breaking work in the fields. As a result, kids were undernourished and their spines were permanently curved. CARD president Anne Murray Dike noted that these children had never learned to smile.

Long before radio and television programming existed for kids, books were children’s only form of entertainment. Along with Tom Sawyer, Jessie Carson brought solace and smiles to a generation of young people when she created the first children’s libraries in France.

After the war, she turned dilapidated ambulances into bookmobiles. She trained the first Frenchwomen as librarians (hitherto a field reserved for men). She also paved the way for an international library school, which the French establishment sneeringly called “The Wild West Library School.” Here she is with those renegade students on the steps of the American Library in Paris.

The reason Jessie Carson’s story resonates with me, and I hope with readers of Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, is that she is proof that you don’t have to be rich or famous to make a difference. I hope you’ll join me in raising a glass to celebrate to this incredible librarian at a very special event on April 8th at 7 pm, with a reception to follow. To register, use this link. I hope to see you there!

As you can see, libraries - and their patrons and staff - are dear to my heart. My three latest books have ties to the American Library in Paris. The Parisian Chapter is set there during the 1990s. This novel comes out in paperback on May 5th. I’m excited to launch the book at the Red Wheelbarrow.

One of the joys of research is finding what you are not looking for. In writing Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, I came across a mention of CARD volunteer Kate Lewis (1892-1969) and tracked down her letters and photos at the Newberry Library. I also discovered an incredible contemporary artist named Kate Lewis.

With the brightly colored bookshelves, you can see why her paintings would appeal to me. I was excited to attend her show at the Sobering Gallery in Paris.

It’s a pleasure to meet with book clubs from around the globe. This month, I celebrated International Women’s Day at the library in Marcq-en-Barœul thanks to the initiative of Hélène, a book club leader there.

On Zoom, I was thrilled to return to one of my favorite book clubs, organized by Gustavo Solis in Mexico. After meeting a few years ago for The Paris Library, it meant so much to be invited back for Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. To discuss my novels with your book club, contact me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

Thank you for reading my newsletter and for caring about my characters! If you enjoyed reading Jessie Carson’s story, I hope that you’ll share this newsletter with friends.

My best,

Janet

Learn about Jessie Carson’s climb to the summit on the National Park Service website.

In Paris, spring is on the way. Here’s the view from my window.

And a photo snapped on a recent walk.

In 1918, on the first day of spring, the German army launched an attack on northern France, where volunteers of the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) worked hand in hand with French villagers to rebuild communities.

CARD president Anne Murray Dike wrote, “We know the daily struggles of each of these victims, we knew their hopes, their disappointments, their tragedies. Together, we tried to solve, to build.”

When German bombs fell, French civilians could have gone to their local mayors or the French army for help, but they instinctively turned to CARD. The French army asked the Comité américain pour les régions dévastées to evacuate villages close to the front. This was extremely dangerous. Several Cards received the war cross medal for their courage under fire. “On the 25th, the situation became very serious and we were asked to be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice,” Anne Murray Dike wrote. “Our work increased. Every effort was made to save as much human life and as many supplies as possible.” In the photo below, we see the soldiers moving toward the front while civilians head south on foot or in CARD Model-Ts.

“Good Friday and Easter were ironic days,” she continued, “days of fighting, horror and bitterness, of sad sights and questioning wonder, only relieved by the medical aid given to the sick, the physical aid given to the hungry and worn, and the moral encouragement to the hopeless. It was our first experience of war.”

“Our committee received, fed and started on their way South many hundreds of refugees. It was necessary to take those who were too old to continue their journey [by car].” CARD opened canteens for civilians and soldiers.

I can’t imagine giving up my home, not knowing if I could ever return. These French people were incredibly brave.

I like to think the Cards were “neighboring,” defined by Christine Schudde as “the art and practice of caring deeply and acting accordingly. Neighboring is a verb about living in community. It’s about listening. It’s figuring out what is ours to do — what role, big or small, do we each play?” I see parallels in the compassion of the Cards and Minnesotans who show up for their neighbors. In this world, we are all neighbors.

This month, I’ll be doing events from the North to the South of France. On March 7th, I’ll be speaking in French about La Brigade de Miss Morgan near Lille in Marcq-en-Baroeul. On March 27th, I’ll be in Nice for an event in English at Librairie Masséna.

From June 22-26, I’m thrilled to return to the Nantes Writers’ Workshop as a fellow. Here’s an interview I did with co-founder Anna Polonyi. Applications are due by March 15. I hope you’ll consider joining us!

Un grand merci for your support of this newsletter and of my novels. Many thanks for your posts and messages! You keep me going.

My best,

Janet

Happy February! Today marks the five-year anniversary of my novel The Paris Library. (The date is easy to remember, because it’s my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Kathy!)

In this month’s letter, I’ll share the highs and lows of the writing and publishing this book. The rejections from editors and agents, the feedback that helped me rethink the book, to the auction and publication. Believe it or not, The Paris Library came about because of a municipal decree. “Articles L. 126-2 and L. 126-3 of the Code de la construction et de l’habitation make it compulsory to carry out restoration work every 10 years.” In other words, building façades must be cleaned.

In 2010, I lived in a sprawling modern apartment complex. Its white tiled walls were grimy gray, the roof in need of repair. Workmen put up scaffolding, followed by dingy netting. I could no longer see out the window. The metal clang of footsteps was constant. Unable to concentrate, let alone write, I was desperate. My debut novel, Moonlight in Odessa came out in 2009, and I’d intended to pen a trilogy set in Ukraine. I loved my time as a teacher there, and writing books set in Odessa was a way to visit, at least in my mind. But with the noisy renovation, I was not able to. Over lunch, I lamented to Ann Mah, the program manager at the American Library in Paris. She was leaving to write full time and encouraged me to apply for her position. I’d volunteered at the ALP, so staff knew me, and I was hired.

On my first day, I could see that the library was a novel. Patrons, trustees, and coworkers were fascinating. I started writing about them. (More on that in a future newsletter.; - ) For better or worse, I worked in an open-space office. When my fundraising coworker was on the phone with possible donors, it was worse for my concentration. And when my coworkers Naida Culshaw and Simon Gallo chatted, it was better for my writing. Thanks to their conversation, I learned about the library’s wartime history. Listening to them, I got chills. At home in the evening, I started researching the wartime librarians, never suspecting that the book would be a ten-year project.

In 2013, I finished the manuscript, which was called THE WAR BRIDE. I submitted to my agent, who shared it with my editor. According to the terms of the contract of my debut novel, she had “the right of first refusal.” This means that she had an exclusive look at my next work, with thirty days to reject or accept the manuscript. It was incredibly hard to wait. I checked my email every ten seconds. I paced, I prayed.

My editor did not want the book. She did not feel the emotional heart of the story. I worked so hard to get the historical facts right that I’d neglected the characters’ inner lives. The rejection was devastating. My agent then sent my manuscript to four other editors, who also passed. In the scheme of things, four is not a lot. I had the impression that she lost faith. We parted ways amicably. I still believed in the book and kept re-writing.

Three years later, after the sting of disappointment abated, I re-read my editor’s rejection letter. In the last paragraph, she mentioned elements she enjoyed. “I loved the idea of Odile taking the ‘crow’ letters as her small act of resistance (in fact I wish you could have explored this and made it more of a story in the book). And there is a lot of great material in the story of the American Library.” She was right. The focus of the book needed to change from Odile’s war bride journey to the courage of the librarians during the Occupation. I pivoted and started reaching out to agents. Here, in these rejection letters, you can see the move from The War Bride to The Paris Library.

I envy authors of bygone times who received rejections in the mail, just once a day. For writers today, rejection pours in day and night by email. (Of course, this means that agents work tirelessly to read thousands of pages!) The worst timing for a rejection was at my husband’s grandma’s funeral. I foolishly checked my email between the Mass and the burial.

Believe it or not, I am incredibly lucky to have received rejections. It is much better than silence or a fear that the query ended up in the agent’s spam. I remain grateful for the kind words. I worked on the editorial board of a literary magazine, and I know that sending rejections is not fun.

Finally, after sending out 75 queries, I heard from literary agent Heather Jackson.

Hi Janet.

I stayed up late last night (couldn’t help myself) to finish the book, so I am a little later to my desk than normal.

I love this book; it’s a truly marvelous story and very well crafted and told. I found myself turning it over in my head rather than sleeping last night: sifting through little finely wrought details about Odile and Lily and their individual and collective stories.

I can say unreservedly that I would love to represent you and this work.

Hallelujah!

After a few rounds of edits, she sent the manuscript to 20 imprints. The novel that no one wanted was now going to auction. Eleven editors bid on it, and I had incredible conversations with these amazing editors who shared their visions for my work. Editor Trish Todd was the perfect champion for the book. Everything went smoothly. The publishing team was incredible. Reviews from trade journals were positive. I received kind blurbs from authors. This means a lot - with shrinking review space in newspapers, endorsements from peers might be the only support an unknown author receives.

Though this time, I’d undergone a mastectomy with later plans for reconstructive surgery. When the opportunity for a pre-publication tour with a four other authors arose, I pushed back my reconstruction and happily flew to Chapel Hill, Boston, and Toronto, with plans to continue to Seattle and San Francisco. Then Covid hit. I flew back home to Paris. My publication date was moved from June 2020 to February 2021. This was absolutely the right move, but after ten years of writing and hand-wringing, the wait was torture. (That surgery ended up being pushed back again, this time because the hospital reduced its effectives during Covid. It is wild to think that I was more upset about the change in pub date. This is my brain on writing.)

In February 2021, The Paris Library hit the New York Times bestseller list. Independent booksellers chose it as a #1 Indie Pick. The novel went to #1 in Canada and #2 in Italy. It was an Amazon Best Book of 2021. This was my best year professionally, and my worst year personally. My beloved mom died of cancer.

This period was a sad blur. My publicist cancelled a handful of my events. Going forward, I didn’t accept some offers because I was afraid that I’d break down and bawl. One podcaster still won’t have me on their show. Maybe I should have given an explanation. My family and I did the best we could. We’re still doing the best we can.

After a time, I returned to virtual events at libraries and bookstores as well as to meeting with book clubs from around the world. Spending time with book lovers raised my spirits and helped me during a period of great grief. From England to Australia to France to Iran to the US and Canada, I did over 200 events. Looking back, it’s incredible to think how publishing pivoted during Covid. I’m proud of the publishing team at Atria and Simon & Schuster, as well as librarians and booksellers.

I never thought it would be a decade between the publication of my first novel and my second. During that fallow period, I was depressed. The constant rejection got to me. Researching world wars, and the graphic images of what man does to man, was also difficult. Watching my peers publish while I stayed in limbo, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing wrong. Most days, I got up at 5 a.m. to write, but could not get traction. Teaching creative writing got me through this dark period. I love learning from my students and enjoyed focusing on their stories. The kindness of fellow writers, family, and friends also helped. I met or exchanged emails with the family members of my real-life characters. Boris Netchaeff’s daughter Hélène was very generous with her time and knowledge. I sent the manuscript to Boris’s son Oleg, who wrote, Bien qu’il soit en anglais et qu’il fasse 400 pages, je l’ai dévoré en 4 soirs. “Even though it’s in English and is 400 pages long, I devoured it in 4 nights.” I also enjoyed appreciated talking to Hilda Frikart’s nephews, Jeanette Ettlinger’s relatives, and Helen Fickweiler and Peter Oustinoff’s daughter. Because the real-life characters depended on me to share their stories, I did not give up.

Over the years, readers from all over the world have asked what happens to the characters. The answers will come in the next chapter!

I’m very happy to say that the characters in The Paris Library get an encore in The Parisian Chapter. The novel comes out on May 5, 2025 and is available for pre-order.

February has been a great month so far! I enjoyed leading a writing workshop at WICE. Teaching is one of my great joys.

I also enjoyed speaking at the library in Boulogne-Billancourt.

Thank you so much for your support of this newsletter and of my novels! I’m grateful that you took a chance on this unknown author! Thank you for your posts, messages, emails, and for your kindness and encouragement!

My best,

Janet

From 1998-1999, I lived in Mulhouse, where I was lucky to have great coworkers and students. Each December, Eddy and I return to Alsace and Basel, Switzerland to enjoy the holiday cheer.

Thanks to the generosity of my friend Kate Thompson, Eddy and I had the opportunity to visit Versailles. With thousands of tourists visiting every day, the castle is an obstacle course that leaves you in awe, but also exhausted. It seems unimaginable to take a photo without people in the background, but here we are on Le Parcours du Roi, or the King's Tour. We felt like royalty.

We wended our way through the rooms of Versailles, including the Hall of Mirrors below. As you can see, there weren’t too many people.

We listened to a quintet and watched dancers. Outside the window, fireworks.

In January and February, I’m looking forward to meeting with readers! You can join us online on Saturday, January 17th at noon eastern time, when I will be meeting with @ATFrenchies. Here is the link. For members of WICE, I will be teaching an in-person master class Setting the Tone on Friday, February 6 at 2 pm. On Saturday, February 7th at 4 pm, I’ll be in conversation (in French) with Robin Karvo at the library in Boulogne-Billancourt.

I’ll end with this photo of the Cards from my novel Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. The volunteers are enjoying a rare moment of respite before they return to the world of war and devastation. Then as now, there is much work to be done, many ways we can and must help others.

Wishing you all the very best in 2026! Thank you for reading my newsletter. If you enjoyed it, I hope that you will consider sharing it with a friend.

My best,

Janet

Wishing you the very best for the holiday season - light, warmth, great books, good health, time with loved ones, and some quiet moments for yourself!

These have been busy weeks. I was honored to teach at the Geneva Writers Conference, where my path to publication began almost twenty years ago. This time, Eddy drove me to Geneva! I was nervous about reading from my latest book; thankfully, the audience was very encouraging.

My publisher Navona invited me to Barcelona, where I presented my book at Laie bookshop with my publicist Xènia Bussé and Carme Fenoll and met with lovely readers. (You can see the photos on my Instagram stories.) After the reading, I was interviewed on Catalan public television.

My last event of the year was a book signing at the AAWE holiday bazaar, which has a great atmosphere and delicious food thanks to dozens of volunteers. Penelope Fletcher, proprietor of the Red Wheelbarrow, is always a joy to talk to. Although we writers committed to sign for two hours, we all ended up staying longer. I so enjoyed spending time with fellow authors Robin Davis, Jennifer Steil, and Elaine Sciolino. I also got to catch up with author Sherry Jones over a brownie and a glass of bubbly. This autumn, I was also happy to spend time with fellow writers Emily Monaco and Jade Maître, who came all the way from Australia.

In my December 2024 newsletter, I noted that I’d lived on the same street as a major venue for concerts, but I’d never attended one. Last month, writer Lorie Lichtlen invited me to see Simply Red, and we had a blast! Then, she, Eddy, and I attended a concert thanks to an invitation from clarinetist and fellow writer Anjali Morard.

I got to visit London for a quick trip to see fellow historical fiction writers. It is always wonderful to spend time with so many talented women.

The holidays can be challenging. We may be far from home or filled with thoughts of loved ones who’ve passed away. When I’m feeling down, I do something for others, such as volunteer or make a donation to the Authors Guild Freedom to Read fund, the Institut Curie, or Les Restos du Coeur. I’m inspired by the Cards, the women of le Comité américain pour les régions devastées (CARD), who hailed from France, the US, and the UK, as you can see from the flags in the photo below. During World War I, when the enemy began bombing northern France, the army asked CARD to evacuate civilians. These chauffeuses - or women chauffeurs, as they called themselves - received the war cross medal for their courage under fire. You can read about them in Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade.

Books make great gifts - Huguette is a page-turner set in France during the murky, lawless years after World War II. To survive, young Huguette must navigate between French black marketeers and rogue GIs in her quest for justice. As always, Cara Black’s impeccable research brings the era to life. I devoured this novel!

And of course, you can always give audiobooks as a gift. ; - ) The Parisian Chapter is available on all platforms.

To finish, a few photos from the interactive MC Escher exhibit. It was fun to put ourselves in one of the drawings.

Wishing you the very best of the season! Thank you for reading my newsletter. I appreciate your support!

My best,

Janet

As we move closer to Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude for you and for your interest in my work. As a young girl in rural Montana who dreamed of becoming a writer, I never thought that one day, I’d be able to talk directly to readers through novels and newsletters. I’m thankful for readers, listeners, booksellers, book clubs, friends, and family who have supported me. Many thanks for sending notes and emails, for responding to my newsletter and posts. You keep me going.

Last month, Eddy and I went to Basel, Switzerland and Bruges, Belgium, both great walking cities and only three hours by train from Paris. On our weekly Sunday catch up, my dad, sister, and I noted that in Montana, three hours on the road would get us halfway from Shelby, our hometown near the Canadian border, to my sister’s place near Billings in the southern part of the state.

In Basel, Eddy and I were charmed by this fountain. Is the basin a water bowl for dogs or a bird bath? Either way, what a lovely thought and a great design.

And in Bruges, we averaged 20,000 steps a day, and probably 20,000 calories as well! Totally worth it. We snapped the photo on the left before heading to the Beguinage. The convent was my favorite place to write, but it closed to the public in 2020. Luckily, Eddy and I were able to join the nuns for tea, before moving on to dinner, where we enjoyed mussels and fries.

October 5-11 was Banned Book week. Through AAWE, Chloé Chandler and I organized an event to celebrate literature and the importance of reading freely. Joined by authors Lucy Mushita and Anne Korkeakivi, who inspired us to host the event, we raised $3,250 for the Authors Guild Freedom to Read fund. It was a fabulous evening. Read a recap here.

I had a great conversation about The Parisian Chapter with Steve Cuden. You can listen to it here. And speaking of listening, this month, I sped through Stop, Rewind, by Emma Jane Kirby. This true story recounts the journey of a boy from India who was adopted by a Mormon family in Utah. The parents were told that he was an orphan - but in fact, he’d been kidnapped. Perfect for fans of the film Lion, staring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. I devoured Emily Monaco’s new podcast, Fishwives of Paris. Perfect for Francophiles, foodies, and anyone who loves learning.

Listening to Deesha Dyer narrate her audiobook Undiplomatic felt like a wise friend giving me advice about applying for opportunities and reaching out. I then had the honor of interviewing the former White House social secretary at an AAWE event organized by Chloé Chandler and hosted by Kathleen De Carbuccia.

Deesha regaled us with stories of the uplifting events she oversaw, for example, welcoming Pope Francis. Just days after our conversation, the East Wing - where she planned programs and where the nation’s First Ladies worked - was demolished. As a writer, I can’t help but see it as a metaphor of taking a wrecking ball to history, specifically women’s history. Many of us are frustrated by the state of the world and worry about budget cuts for programs like Head Start for children as well as SNAP, which provides food for families and revenue for farmers who sell their fruits and vegetables at farmers markets. Deesha reminded us of the importance of giving time, expertise, or funds to our local communities.

It was a thrill to receive the advance reader copies of The Parisian Chapter. The novel comes out May 5, 2026, but it is available for pre-order. Pre-ordering is a show of support that helps keep your favorite authors writing and publishing as well as beloved indie bookshops thriving.

I had the joy of speaking with Luci Baum and her wonderful class. The Parisian Chapter is the fourth of my novels that she has chosen, and it was the first time that I have discussed my latest work with a book club. I am forever grateful for Luci’s support and friendship! This is why I write - to connect and create connections. I am also grateful for the technology that brings us closer together.

I then joined Hilary Gustafson, owner of Literati Bookstore and Literati Tours. Living abroad, I don’t often get the chance to have in-person connections with book groups, so it was wonderful to meet for a meal. What a pleasure to discuss my writing life as well as to hear about their experiences with a French book binder and a tour of a publishing house - both sounded right up my alley! We ate at La Petite Chaise, right across the street from where directress Dorothy Reeder from The Paris Library lived on rue de la Chaise.

This month, I’m excited to return to the Geneva Writers Conference! In 2006, I first attended as a participant, with just the beginning of an idea for a book. In 2008, I pitched my manuscript and found my first agent there. In 2010, I returned with my debut, Moonlight in Odessa, about the booming business of email-order brides, which was published in 12 languages. It means a lot to be invited back as an instructor.

Wishing you a warm, cozy November! I hope that it will be full of good books, time with loved ones (and if you are like me, time alone to recharge; - ), as well as lots to be grateful for. Thank you again for your support!

My best,

Janet

Last month, I wrote about la rentrée, or “back to everything.” France also has la rentrée littéraire, the literary season when nearly 500 new books hit the shelves. As a homebody, one of my goals is to attend and create more gatherings. September felt like my literary season. First, I invited the AAWE writing group over for an in-person session. The day before, I was on my hands and knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor, which never seems to look clean. I fretted about the dingy grout and wrote a list in my head of items buy from the store. Don’t forget gluten-free cookies! Juice, not everyone likes coffee! I worried about not having enough chairs.

In the end, no one looked at my floor, we had enough chairs, and I forgot to set out the cookies and juice. At the table, we had three prompts - bridges, new beginnings, or departures. This past year, I’ve struggled to write at all, so these quiet moments where we sit together and contemplate the page mean a lot. I wrote about how having a child is a new beginning because you see things through their eyes. (Quite surprising, since I don’t have kids. But this is what I love about prompts. They take you to unexpected places.) That morning, there was an incredible range of emotion and creativity. Kit Desjacques later published her essay Departures, in which she described losing her job, her mother, and her husband. She noted that life is just a “series of departures.” This rang so true. Many of us have dealt with heavy losses. Kit reminds us to make the most of our time because we never know when we must say goodbye.

Today marks the beginning of Banned Book Week. The majority of library censorship can be tied to organized campaigns from pressure groups. They strike at libraries and books – concrete symbols of learning. This form of censorship mainly targets women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ authors. Inspired by Anne Korkeakivi’s advocacy, Chloé Chandler and I have organized a ticketed AAWE event to celebrate the written word and to raise awareness about the dangers of censorship. It is nearly sold out!

This issue is dear to my heart, and if you’re reading my newsletter, clearly it is important to you, too. I hope that you’ll join me in supporting the Authors Guild’s Freedom to Read fund. You can click here to donate and make difference.

In the Paris Writers Group, host Mary Duncan (left) interviews Kate Kirkpatrick (right), the author of Becoming Beauvoir: A Life. Kate recommended a unique approach to research - the OHIO Method, meaning Only Handle It Once. Words I can heed! I am constantly misplacing papers and need to devise a better system.

I was very honored to write the Foreword in Rebecca Plotnick’s book. This is a photo when I hold Paris Every Day in my hands for the first time. It comes out Oct 14th!

Next, I got to spend time with Elizabeth Oustinoff, the daughter of two real-life characters in my novel THE PARIS LIBRARY. It’s very moving to meet family members of people I’ve written about.

Here’s a letter she received from her mother, Helen Fickweiller. The zippy green ink belies the serious message of Parisians learning that war has been declared.

I now live in the same quartier that Helen did. Elizabeth and I tramped around the Denfert-Rochereau neighborhood — a coffee on rue Daguerre, through falling leaves in the Montparnasse Cemetery, past the Lion of Belfort by Auguste Bartholdi (the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty).

I had a fabulous time with author Patricia Sands and Deborah Bine, aka the Barefoot Blogger. We shared laughs and a few glasses of champagne. I hadn’t felt so happy and relaxed in a long time. I left thinking these writers know how to live!

I then connected with Carolyn Boyd, who lived in the same apartment I did, just a year earlier, at 3 rue de la Fidélité in Mulhouse, France. It’s amazing that we both became authors and shared a bit of the same path.

Finally, I went to London and met with my editor, Sherise Hobbs. Growing up in Montana, I couldn’t quite visualize what writers did, but I’d seen movies where they lunched with their editors, so that’s what I thought writers did. It was a joy to meet Sherise after countless emails and two books together. I also met Kate Thompson in person after many zoom events together for The Little Wartime Library and The Paris Library. We had coffee in the stunning crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, at the edge of Trafalgar Square. It made perfect sense to meet underground - her novel was set in the Bethnal Green tube station. It did my heart good to talk in person about ups and downs of the writing life.

Kate and I went onto lunch with historical fiction authors Gill Paul, Kate Quinn, Julia Kelly, Louise Fein, Maggie Brookes, Liz Fremantle. It was really reassuring to talk to writers who have dealt with the same struggles and joys. And it made me so glad about my goal to make an effort to reach out.

It is a pleasure to hear from readers and to see their creativity! With thanks to Coral, aka UrbanLaneReads on IG, for this post about my novel THE PARISIAN CHAPTER.

As always, thank you for reading my newsletter! I appreciate your support and comments. If you think a friend would enjoy it, I hope that you will forward it to them. I hope that you are having a beautiful autumn!

My best,

Janet

This August, I travelled to Sibiu, Romania with my dear friend Anca, who organized a week-long trip for 25 friends and family. This was a heroic undertaking. So much planning! Here is a photo of our group - the oldest was 75, the youngest 14.

I loved the colors of the buildings as well as the splendor of the churches. Several roofs had what resembled sleepy eyes peeking out at us.

We had wonderful conversations. One night, three of us were in tears as we talked about missing our mothers. This trip got me thinking about connections, as well as the definition of success and true wealth. Spending time with Anca and her friends and family made me realize that she is the richest person I know.

We visited Bran Castle, aka Dracula’s home, which was built in 1377. At the bottom of the photo, the cute couple underlines the immense scale of the castle.

We also visited the mountains. Claudia from Step by Step Travel was a fabulous guide.

While in Transylvania, I discovered the artwork of Madalina Andronic and bought this scarf.

September is here! To celebrate, I put out autumn quilts that my mother sewed. I always love seeing her work. And this change of season, this promise of a new beginning, buoys me. At heart, I’m still a child who loves reading and learning. In French, they call Back to School la rentrée - back to everything, or re-entry - as people return from vacation and businesses reopen. I appreciate the fresh start that September offers. These past months, I’ve had trouble concentrating and haven’t made progress on my latest manuscript, but I hope to get back into its flow. As inspiration for returning to my desk, I’m sharing these photos of French members of the American Committee for Devastated France. Their work is the legacy of NYPL librarian Jessie “Kit” Carson, who traveled to France during World War I in order to create the first children’s libraries and to train Frenchwomen. “It is not hard to find good students,” Carson wrote, “but it is very hard to convince the parents that their children should study library methods and help create a new career.”

The above portrait is in the library in Blérancourt, which is where Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade takes place. And the photo below is in the Belleville library in Paris, where I had the pleasure of speaking earlier this year. Click on the link, and you’ll see that those shelves, designed by Jessie Carson, were build to last. They’re still here over a hundred years later.

Congratulations to Matt Godfrey, who read the role of Tolstoy in The Parisian Chapter, for this excellent review in Audiofile: “Musical interludes and the diverse viewpoints and time frames keep listeners engaged. Most compelling…Matt Godfrey's Tolstoy, a Gulf War veteran with PTSD who is protected by everyone. Audio creates the sensation that the library's walls are talking about its past and present.” I'm really happy that the reviewer had the impression that the library came to life.⁠ If you haven't yet listened to the audiobook, I hope that you will check it out! You can listen to a short excerpt of Matt’s Tolstoy here.

I was thrilled to be interviewed by Kara Infante of Bookish Flights. She writes, “I believe we all have a story to tell. That story can be told by books that have shaped our lives.” So true! You can listen to our conversation here, and hopefully enjoy these book recommendations.

As always, I love sharing the real-life places and people in my novels. Here’s a screenshot I snapped of Annie Laurie and her wonderful book club in South Carolina. Don’t they look like a fun bunch? Books bring us together and bring such joy. Contact me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com to schedule a meeting.

I hope that you’ll have a great rentrée and that you have a lot to look forward to this season! Thank you very much for subscribing to my newsletter. Thank you for engaging and for supporting my writing. Your kindness means the world to me.

My best,

Janet

On a recent phone call, when I told my dad and sister about this essay, Dad asked, “Do you sit in a hot metal box going round and round at five miles an hour?”

Honestly, it feels like I do. The writing process is slow. And working long hours does not guarantee success. In both fields – his literal, mine figurative, we do our best, but often the elements ultimately decide. In farming this might mean hot sunny days and harvesting a beautiful crop for top dollar. Or it could mean a hail storm that destroys the fledgling wheat stalks and any chance of an income. In writing, this might mean that Hello, Sunshine (Reese Witherspoon’s production company) selects a book that then goes on to sell millions of copies. Or difficulty in finding a publisher might mean that a poignant, powerful story never sees the light of day.

Timing matters. Unfortunately, each year, timing changes. This is especially difficult for dry farmers like my parents, who had no possibility of using irrigation. Seed too early or too late, and they could miss out on precipitation. Not enough moisture at the right stage means no crop. Our yield depends on when we plant. The publishing industry also depends on timing. When I wrote the first chapters of Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, I aimed to publish in 2014, the centennial of the Great War, in hopes that journalists would use this commemoration to highlight the work of the American Committee for Devastated France, the all-woman unit who worked just miles from the front and received the war cross medal for their courage under fire. I hit a lot of bumps in the writing and research, and the book was published in 2024, a decade late with very little media coverage.

Trends are important. For farmers selling wheat, the heyday was the carb diet era, when consumers filled their plates with bread and pasta. Now that more people are focusing on their protein intake, farmers have pivoted; peas are the new wheat. It is the same for writers. There was a time when no one was interested in World War II novels; now the market is saturated. Luckily, people will always be hungry for a good story or a crusty loaf of bread.

Each year brings improvements to machinery. In high school, I started with a typewriter, hitting those keys slowly so as not to make mistakes, especially at the bottom of the page. Then came the word processor with its tiny screen. Dad and I both wrote on them. He sent letters to politicians in Washington and to my sister and me when we moved away. Then came computers with their large screens illuminating our words. In farming, the gamechanger for Dad was air conditioning. Before that, he said it got so hot in the cab of his tractor that you could crack an egg and fry it on the floor.

Despite the changes in technology, in both careers, it is still a person sitting alone, going around in circles. The work is solitary. I stare at the words on my screen the same way Dad stared out the window of his tractor. Both careers underline the reality that we are all essentially alone.

In dry farming and writing, we face periods of drought. A good harvest does not guarantee success the following year. My first novel came out in 2009, my next in 2021. From 2010 to 2019, though I went to work every day, I had nothing to show for my toils. I pitched my manuscript to agents and received nothing but rejection or silence. That decade was the most depressing of my career. Every week, new books hit the shelves while mine remained stuck in my computer. To combat feelings of frustration and disappointment, I stayed off social media and out of bookstores. To earn a living, I took a second job at an engineering school. Teaching allowed me to feel like a success – as with my first novel, I received reviews in the form of student evaluations. Their kind words sustained me.

Dry farming and writing both have lines – lines in a field or lines on the page. I rarely discuss about how hard it has been to hoe this row, to deal with noxious weed like disappointment and rejection, in order to type up words just so and get them published. But I’m sharing my experience with you now. So that despite appearances, you’ll realize that we all have years - and even decades - of failure and disappointment.

Where I was raised, because there is little rainfall, many dry farmers use the technique of strip farming. A field is planted, while the one beside it remains fallow. (Fallow: unproductive, bare, idle, crop-free, uncreative, inactive.) Though it looks like nothing is happening, the land recuperates nutrients and moisture so that the following year, it will be fertile. And maybe this is what we need to remember. It’s okay to take a break and try something else. It’s okay to persevere. However you spend your time, whichever projects you’re working on, whatever your calling, I wish you a golden harvest.

Last month, I wrote about the volunteers of the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) who worked as farmerettes. This month, I share some images of Frenchwomen in the North who kept family farms going during World War I. Men were in the army, and livestock was taken for use by the military.

Below a CARD poster shows three elements of Frenchwomen - raising children, working in factories, and toiling in fields. In the background is the allegory of Victory.

With destruction all around them, Frenchwomen did the heavy lifting of keeping farms going. You can see other photos in my April newsletter.

In keeping with the theme of harvest, on my birthday at the Rodin Museum, Eddy and I snapped this photo of The Harvesters by Van Gogh. A man and a woman work in the field without machinery. In the distance is the train, a symbol of modernity and what is to come.

My mom and I loved watching makeovers together, loved seeing the transformations from before to after. She had a gift for making things beautiful, whether through the quilts she sewed or the artwork, colors, and furniture she chose to furnish our home. I didn’t inherit this gift, so Eddy and I hired Bois et Blanc to create our bookshelves. What do you think?

This week, Eddy and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and my 54th birthday. I’ve lived in France for almost half my life. I feel lucky to be interviewed by Lindsey Tramuta in her series about Americans who have moved to France. I appreciate this series because each person’ story is unique - arriving in surprising ways and staying for different reasons. I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation!

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. I appreciate your support.

My best,

Janet

Anne Morgan’s friend Mary Rutherfurd Jay (1872–1953) moved from her debutante days to the male-dominated career of landscape architecture to directing the agricultural unit of CARD.

Jay studied design and horticulture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as at Harvard’s Bussey Institute. There, she wrote a paper on “Tenement Gardening,” observing that poor neighborhoods benefited from gardens. From an early age, she was interested in the plight of others.

The agricultural unit - eight American women with a knowledge of farming - was initially to be stationed in the devastated northern region. Because of the German attack in March 1918, the unit relocated to Versailles, where they worked with wounded and shell-shocked Frenchmen and American soldiers to raise crops and fresh produce.

The farmerettes were attached to the garden service of the American Army. Everyone worked from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

According to the CARD report, “The experiment of having farmerettes work with the men was such a success that officials recommended that it should be tried on other farms which the American Army was planning.”

When Mary Rutherfurd Jay returned home, she lectured on the devastation of war and reconstruction she’d taken part in. Clearly passionate about history and her work, she emphasized the resilience of landscapes and people. The women of CARD remind us that we can all make a difference by sharing our time and expertise.

In Spain, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is available, with the title Librarians at the Front. This is my first novel to appear in Catalan and the 40th language my work has been translated into. I love this photo of a glamorous reader leaning on the stall of a bookseller near the Seine River in Paris.

And here is Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade in Finland. It’s always surprising to see the artwork for each edition. Hard to believe that these two covers are for the same book! Which do you prefer?

I continue to enjoy seeing the posts that readers share about my work. Shoutout to Valerie a @rendezvous_with_reading for this lovely post featuring a first edition of The Paris Library and review of The Parisian Chapter!

In my hometown of Shelby, Montana, I was saddened to learn that federal and state budget cuts are affecting access to learning.

Hotspots, devices that provide WiFi, could be checked out through libraries because the E-Rate program offered this flexible internet access. Interlibrary Loan (IL) is also in danger of losing funding. As a voracious reader, I depend on this vital service that connects libraries across the nation. Students, researchers, and book lovers gain access to millions of items that no single library could ever house. IL is not free - the cost of shipping, staffing and tech adds up. Behind the IL service is a federal agency called the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Library budgets are an investment in our collective future. Libraries ensure knowledge, opportunity, and access for all. Education must remain a priority. Please consider contacting your federal representatives to urge them to continue funding the IMLS.

I was honored to be profiled by Abigail Welhouse for EveryLibrary, a gold-rated nonprofit that supports libraries. Here is the link. I hope you’ll give it a read.

I love connecting with book clubs and recently chatted with Temple Sholom in Chicago, Isabel Hernandez at @i.am.book.a.licious in Miami, and the SRALab Aphasia Book Club. To organize a meeting, contact me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I appreciate your support. Bon week-end!

My best,

Janet

For your chance to win, head over to my Instagram account and leave a comment telling us where you love to read. The contest ends on June 28th at midnight EDT.

This June, I’m in Montana, soaking up time with loved ones. Our first stop was to see my sister. I am in awe of her and all that she does.

On the first day of summer, we traveled through the Rocky Mountains - through a winter weather alert - to visit the East Glacier lodge, one of my favorite places.

A few days later, Eddy and I struck out on our own to see Shrek in Bigfork.

I was honored to be the keynote speaker for the Shelby Book Club’s 90th anniversary celebration. What an amazing milestone! I love meeting with book clubs. Please get in touch if you would like me to join yours, either in person or on Zoom.

The Parisian Chapter came out a month ago. A huge thank-you to everyone who reached out to share how much you enjoyed The Parisian Chapter. I started working on it in 2010, hoping I could do justice to all of the lives lived within the walls of the library. The book continues with same theme in all my work - the importance of figuring out where we belong and what we are meant to do with our lives. There’s no age limit on these questions.

It has been a dream to hear the audiobook, and I’m grateful to listeners who took time to write reviews.

From Kimberly: “This is a story for anyone who’s ever chased a dream, lost a friend, or found themselves in a place that feels like home—even if it’s across the world.”

From Xine: The Parisian Chapter is a heartfelt, multilayered audio original that pulled me in from the start. Set in 1995 Paris, the story follows Lily Jacobsen—an aspiring novelist from Montana—who finds herself suddenly alone in the City of Light and starting a new chapter of her life working at the American Library in Paris. What unfolds is a beautiful exploration of ambition, love, nostalgia, and the messiness of real friendships, especially the kind that evolve (or dissolve) as we grow.

Meanwhile in Italy, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade just came out, and Patrizia Violi interviewed me for a full-page article in the Corriere della sera La Lettura.

I’ll share two photos of the courageous women of the American Committee for Devastated France, featured in Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. Since it’s summer, I chose light-hearted moments. First, we have a PE instructor with students in the ruins of their war-torn village. During the occupation of northern France in World War I, which lasted three years, many children were enslaved by German soldiers and had curvature of the spine from toiling in the fields. After the war, they were able to enjoy being kids again, thanks to the libraries and activities created by CARD.

Next, near the front, a Card plays the piano for French and American soldiers. In the novel, we see the Cards caring for the wounded as well as serving meals, cigarettes, and hot chocolate to soldiers.

Summer is a great time for reading. I’m finishing up Far and Away by Amy Poeppel, whose novels feature women finding their place in the world. Next up is another favorite of mine, Brooke Lea Foster. I loved her novel On Gin Lane, which was a page-turner that kept me reading into the night and a reminder of the importance of carving out a place for ourselves. (Sense a theme in what I like to read and write?) I’m thrilled to have a sneak peek of Our Last Vineyard Summer!

Congratulations to Cathy Blake, the winner of the signed copy of Lindsey Tramuta’s The Eater’s Guide to Paris!

I hope that you will all have a wonderful summer! Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. I appreciate your support!

My best,

Janet

The Parisian Chapter recounts challenging moments at work as well as the trajectory of a young person fresh out of college as she navigates a new job and budding romance. As I wrote, I recalled my own twenties, a stressful decade with decisions (and indecision) about which city to live in, which jobs to apply for, and who to build a life with. Back then, I felt the weight of the world in a way that I don’t today. In The Parisian Chapter, Lily makes choices about how she wants to live. I hope you’ll enjoy following the characters as they make decisions - friendship or forgetting, reaching out or letting go, and when to give something your all or to give up.

May has been an incredible time to connect with readers. On the 21st, I spoke at the bilingual school, invited by librarian Helen Stathopulos Géhin before crossing town to Belleville, where I was in conversation with librarian Christine Nguyen-Fau at the Bibliothèque Jacqueline Dreyfus-Weill, founded by CARD librarian Jessie Carson. At the Hyères Fête du Livre, I was interviewed by librarian Amandine Girard and loved talking to booksellers, including Coralie Chevillon aka IG cocobouquine, 249 other authors, and countless book lovers!

It was an honor to present La Brigade de Miss Morgan at a library founded by Jessie Carson. She created these shelves over a hundred years ago.

I’m looking forward to spending time back home in Montana and honored to be the keynote speaker of the Shelby Book Club 90th anniversary celebration.

Now, I’ll share some photos of the volunteers featured in Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. Below, a display created for the 1921 Paris Exhibition to introduce modern library practices such as open stacks, a children’s section, and cozy atmosphere. (Previously, French patrons were asked to wait behind a railing while a bureaucrat searched for books stored in a storage closet under lock and key.)

My books are set in libraries, so that tells you what I value - funding education, libraries, and school breakfast programs. This budget is an investment in our collective future. I’m in awe of the Cards who put time, energy, and money into creating community through reading, whether for soldiers or villagers in the war zone.

May’s giveaway winner is newsletter subscriber, Deborah Clark, chosen at random.

Now, I’m excited to give away a signed copy of Lindsey Tramuta’s incredible book on Paris, seen through the lens of food and culture. For your chance to win, write a comment about something you would love to do in Paris.

As always, thank you for reading my newsletter and for your support. It means the world to me.

My best,

Janet

I’m just back from Carmel, where every hour brought different colors and textures.

I was honored to be the Author in Residence at the Northern California Writers’ Retreat in Carmel Valley. I loved spending time with talented writers and sharing a bit of our novel journeys. There are many ups and downs on the road to publication, so it heartening to hear other writers’ stories. It was especially wonderful to be there with my agent, Heather Jackson.

Yesterday, I enjoyed listening to Lindsey Tramuta present her latest book, The Eater Guide to Paris at the Red Wheelbarrow. I highly recommend this book. I first interviewed Lindsey in 2013. When I asked her advice for people who long to write, she replied: “Write write write! And when you're not writing, read. Read everything, even material that doesn't directly relate to the topics you typically write about. It's astounding how many creative ideas and techniques for writing you can glean from The Economist or hard news publications. And the best advice I ever read is to allow yourself time to be bored. It's in those idle moments that your mind has a chance to wander and latch onto story ideas that may not have crystallized had you not given yourself that chance to recharge. This is a tremendous challenge in today's digital world where a mere 5 minutes in line to pay for groceries leaves us tapping our feet and playing on our mobile devices, but it's crucial. I haven't mastered it yet (will I ever?) but I understand the importance of mental down time.”

My audiobook The Parisian Chapter will be out on May 27th! To receive a bonus chapter, preorder my audiobook The Parisian Chapter at one of the stores below and click here .

Apple Books

Barnes & Noble

Google Play

Libro.fm

Amazon

The minute I started as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris, I knew that it was a novel waiting to be written. There, folks from all walks of life - our favorite authors, stressed staff, broke students, and high society trustees - crossed paths, and sometimes crossed swords. I wrote The Parisian Chapter from the points of view of several characters, but it was hard to decide which should begin the story and set the tone. Today, I am sharing two short audio excerpts. I would love to know if you have a preference for the beginning.

Cranky Chapter

Uplifting chapter

On May 21st at 7 pm, I’m honored to speak at a library founded by Jessie “Kit” Carson, the heroine of MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE. In 1918, at the end of the Great War, Kit brought the concept of children’s libraries to France and revolutionized French libraries. Fresh flowers on the table and windows for natural lighting are elements we take for granted today, but in early libraries in France, there were no open stacks, and patrons were invited to stand behind a railing while a tired bureaucrat looked for a requested book. The Bibliothèque Jacqueline Dreyfus-Weill is located in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris. On the occasion of the library’s centennial in 2023, Dad and I got to see the exhibit that the librarians created for this incredible milestone. If you are in Paris, I hope to see you at the talk!

As always, I love talking to book clubs as well as classes. Here I am with award-winning author Anne Marsella and some of her writing students from ESSEC. You can reach me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and for your continued support of my work. It means the world to me.

My best,

Janet

On April 5th, I’ll be at the Mairie in the 7th to sign books. If you’re in town, please stop by!

On April 22nd, I’m excited to return to Titcomb’s Bookshop to talk to readers at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Here in Paris, I’ll be staying up until 1 a.m., but it is totally worth it! The event is free and open to the public. I hope you’ll join us! Here’s the link.

Many thanks to Mark LaFlaur for sending along this poster highlighting the work of the American Committee for Devastated France. We see an American woman (who resembles the Statue of Liberty) showing the way to a French war widow. In the background, we see a young volunteer bringing support to a soldier. In the photo below, we see a similar scene.

As Jessie Carson, the real-life main character of my book, noted, “No one had a complete roof over his head.” Most homes in the region had been destroyed.

There is one difference between the poster and the reality of war. In northern France, there were no young men to work in the fields, nor were there animals. Frenchwomen took care of their fields. This poster depicts farm life after the war, when Frenchmen returned from the front, and CARD helped with the purchase of livestock.

In her day, Anne Morgan was the richest woman in America. Even before the US entered World War I, she started to raise millions to help families who’d lost everything. She worked just 40 miles from the front to help victims of war rebuild their lives. I wish today’s tech bro billionaires had the same civic spirit and generosity as the women of CARD.

Next month, my audiobook The Parisian Chapter will be out! To receive a bonus chapter, preorder my audiobook The Parisian Chapter at one of these stores:

Apple Books Barnes & Noble Google Play Libro.fm Amazon

Fill out a form, and a PDF of the story will be send to you. Click here.

This week, friends and I celebrated our good news. Jake Lamar was the first author I met in Paris. His novel Viper’s Dream won the prestigious Dagger Award. Dorli Lamar is working on a new show after the success of Années folles, Années noires. Andreas Vossler is the consulting psychologist on the BBC’s Inside Therapy. Lori Thicke’s memoir Dreamer’s Daughter will be out next year. I can’t wait!

You don’t see me in the photo below, but there are the words “Janet is talking…”

about The Paris Library to the Shelf Love book club in Florida. I love visiting book clubs, so don’t hesitate to get in touch to schedule a meeting with me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

Thank you, as always, for reading my newsletter and for supporting my work.

My best,

Janet

March is also a month of book sales and giveaways! In this newsletter, I’ll share some news about my work as well as the books and series I am loving.

To start, the giveaway of a chapter that is dear to my heart. A little background:

From 2010 to 2015, my novel The Paris Library was called The War Bride. I focused on Odile Souchet’s war bride experience. I’m fascinated by each of the thousands of courageous women who crossed an ocean to begin a new life with a GI. It is vital to chronicle women’s experiences, and I’m grateful to Montana Historical Society members, who interviewed brides from England, France, Germany, and Japan. While researching in France, I learned that the Red Cross created centers (and named them after cigarette companies such as Camp Lucky Strike), first for soldiers returning home, then for the war brides who would join them. In this short video, we see war brides and their sweethearts, as well as Camp Phillip Morris.

Although I loved the war bride sections of my novel, I had a flash of insight (Literally a flash! Pow!) that I needed to eliminate the scenes that described Odile’s journey to the US with her fellow war brides as well as her first years of her marriage. It’s never easy to cut chapters, and this was my favorite part of the whole book. I’m grateful to be able to share it today. Now that this War Bride excerpt is available, I’d love to know if it is also your favorite. To receive it, preorder my audiobook The Parisian Chapter at one of these stores:

Apple Books Barnes & Noble Google Play Libro.fm Amazon

Fill out a quick form, and a PDF of the story will be send to you. Click here for the form.

I’m excited to see the first reader reviews on Goodreads. From Sarah: “I laughed out loud… at various things characters said throughout the novel, so if you’re looking for historical fiction with a side of humor and the best supporting character list, you will enjoy this novel!” From Katie: “This is a bit of a coming of age story with a dash of romance, second chances and having the courage to face your fears.” From Amanda: “I was immediately drawn in by the setting… I really liked Lily. Hers was somewhat of a coming of age story with navigating a new country, new job, friendship issues and romance. I loved the full cast and cinematic narration. It really added to the story.”

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade comes out in paperback on April 1st. Visit Goodreads for your chance to win a copy. Click here.

The Paris Library audiobook is available for $3.99 on Apple Books. Click here.

And the e-book The Paris Library is available on Kindle for $1.99. Click here.

I’m currently listening to The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan, and wow! The beautiful prose mixed with the talented actors keeps me going, chapter after chapter. If you are looking for audiobook recommendations, Aimie’s Listen Up series is a great way to discover great novels that use voice actors, and not soulless AI.

Online, I’m obsessed with Lindsey Tramuta’s Leaving America series. It is fascinating to learn how other people end up in France. Master plan or accident of fate? True love or starting again after a breakup? Each trajectory is different. Likewise, Lindsey’s book The New Parisienne: The Women & Ideas Shaping Paris is a gorgeous collection of conversations with incredible women. I’m looking forward to her latest book, The Eater Guide to Paris, out April 29th.

Like many of you, I’m very attached to independent bookstores. My happy place is the Red Wheelbarrow. If you are passing through Paris, I hope that you will buy a book and support this great bookstore!

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I appreciate your support.

My best,

Janet

Last week, my writing group met at my apartment for lunch. We are rarely in the same city at the same time, so getting together in person felt wonderful.

March is Women's History Month. Many thanks to author Janis Robinson Daly for creating this program about women’s contributions and accomplishments! Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is #20 on the calendar. How many of these novels have you read?

The topics of historical fiction - women taking action and defining their futures - are relevant today. We must march forth and continue fighting for our rights to education, jobs in our fields, childcare, and healthcare. We must also continue to fight for the right to read freely. On February 6, author Anne Korkeakivi organized Writers Out Loud, an event that raised over $10,000 for the Authors Guild’s Freedom to Read Fund.

Continuing my CARD theme, this month, I’m sharing two evocative posters of the organizations that my real-life characters belonged to during World War I. Founded in 1917, the National League for Woman’s Service provided stateside war services such as feeding and caring for soldiers, veterans and war workers. It is here that the group’s treasurer Anne Morgan crossed paths with NYPL librarian Jessie Carson, who volunteered as the chair of the businesswomen's unit. The NLWS often worked with the American Committee for Devastated France.

And here is a poster of the American Committee for Devastated France. If you’ve read Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, you know that 350 American, British, and French women worked hand in hand to rebuild northern France during and after World War I. Here we see a woman in a horizon blue uniform guiding a mother and her children away from the ruins of war.

It was an honor to tell the stories of the women of CARD, and I’m excited about the paperback release on April 1.

You can preorder here:

Bookshop Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Amazon

Author Marcy Goldman kindly let me know that my novel THE PARIS LIBRARY was featured in the Ideal Bookshelf: Librarians. It made my day! I have long been a fan of Jane Mount’s work. Are any of your favorites in this stack?

I’m thrilled that you will soon be able to listen to my new novel, The Parisian Chapter, and roam around the City of Light with my characters Lily and Mary Louise.

Apple Books Barnes & Noble Google Play Libro.fm Amazon

Thank you so much for reading my newsletter! I appreciate you support.

My best,

Janet

I’m excited to finally share the cover of my latest book with you as well as photos of a real-life character from Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade! The Parisian Chapter is the final installment of my library trilogy. The audiobook is read by Pauline Chalamet and features a full cast of eleven actors.

The gorgeous cover, created by James Iacobelli, highlights the street corner where the action in the novel kicks off. The Parisian Chapter follows a young woman from Montana who discovers the power of storytelling and writes her own Parisian chapter.

Paris, 1995: It’s been five years since Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise arrived from Froid, Montana. Determined to establish themselves as artists – Lily, a novelist, and Mary Louise, a painter – they share a tiny sixth-floor walkup and survive on brie and baguette.

When Mary Louise abruptly moves out, Lily feels alone in the City of Light for the first time and is in need of a new way to support herself. She lands a job as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris. In the storied halls of the ALP, Lily meets an incredible cast of characters – her favorite author, quirky coworkers, broke students, and high society trustees – each with their own stories... and agendas. Personal dramas sometimes take precedence over books and patrons.

Between her hard-nosed boss not letting up and her best friend letting go, Lily is stressed and bewildered. When it becomes clear that the Library is facing serious financial struggles and its future is uncertain, she must look beyond her own problems in order to protect the ALP and the precious memories it holds. 

This moving, propulsive story features cameos from characters in The Paris Library and Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. Lily’s story is a love letter to the artist’s life, the importance of friendship, and leaving home only to find it again.

I loved writing this novel. In the past, I’ve killed off several characters, which is painful. I’m happy to say that in this book, everyone survives! I’m sharing links here so you can pre-order it. Pre-orders are the best way to ensure that the authors you appreciate continue to have their work published.

Apple Books

Google Play

Libro.fm

Amazon

As promised, I’m continuing my Card series. Isn’t this a gorgeous photo of Kate Lewis? The “chauffeuse” is using a toothbrush to clean a spark plug.

Kate Lewis Hay was born on September 2, 1891 (some sources cite 1892). She was raised in Springfield, Illinois, and was educated at Vassar. In the First World War, she worked in Naval Intelligence in Washington DC before traveling to France to work for the Red Cross and later the American Committee for Devastated France. In her passport application below, you can see that she had to swear that it was not her intention to marry an officer or soldier in the American Expeditionary Forces upon her arrival in France. The Cards worked around the clock to help French civilians. Marriage was the last thing on their mind.

The Cards had a special nickname for drivers like Kate. Mary Needham explained, “We used this name ‘cochons’ so unthinkingly that we didn’t realize how strange it sounded to outsiders until a startled look at hearing girl-chauffeurs called ‘pigs’ would cause us to explain that the name had been self-inflicted. Because they took charge of the cars — even taking them apart and putting them back together when necessary — the chauffeurs always bore on themselves and on their uniforms blobs of grease. Inasmuch as they could never get their hands clean — not through the whole war — they’d insisted that they couldn’t eat at the same table with the others in the unit — that they must have a ‘cochons’ table. From that time forward, they were self-designated.” Here is another way of looking at those dirty hands:

Letter dated 20 August 1920 from fellow Card Marion Bartol to family back home:

“…Today we have spent in the toils of the Red Tape worm, beginning this morning with a visit to the Préfecture de Police to get our Cartes d’Identité….The Préfecture is on the Ile du Cité, so, armed with our passports, four photos, and a permit from the local concièrgerie we, Kate Lewis, Miss Clark, and I, got there at 9.45. At the desk we had to give our entire life history, going back one generation. This is in case you might be a German, or of German descent. I had to get twelve more pictures taken as I had used up all those I brought with me… After that Kate and I went to an office where we applied for permission to get permits to drive automobiles.”

In 1927, Kate married Colonel Arthur Sidney Hay, a retired Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Order award. They lived in Fleet, Hampshire and had a son in 1928. When World War II broke out, Kate once again answered the call and joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).

The incredible women of CARD deserve to be remembered. I hope that you will consider sharing this newsletter with friends to help spread the word. It is always a pleasure to talk to book clubs. Please get in touch if you’d like me to share photos and stories. My email address is pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.

There is so much going on in the US. As an educator, I want to acknowledge how far we’ve come as a society thanks to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Montanan author Caroline Patterson’s book The Stone Sister highlights how “backward children” used to be abandoned and left in institutions. Now, decades later, a friend’s daughter with Down’s Syndrome has headed off to a two-year college program in order to able to live independently. Open-mindedness has changed lives and families for the better. We need to educate ourselves and keep moving forward. Unfortunately, book banning continues, despite the fact that reading widely and taking an interest in others makes us better, more knowledgeable people. Dorothy Reeder, the real-life heroine of The Paris Library, wrote, “No other thing possesses that mystical faculty to make people see with other people's eyes. The library is a bridge of books between cultures.” Let us heed her words.

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and for taking an interest in my work!

My best,

Janet

PS Last month, I talked about my hopes of 25 things for 2025. I crossed the first one off my list. I got a terrarium, just like my grandfather’s. For Valentine’s Day, I hope that you will spend time with people and things that you love.