Bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles constantly amazes us with her talent for historical fiction (which we are big fans of!) She has shared her fascinating life adventures with TWE several times.
Imagine growing up in Montana, ending up living in Paris, France, and becoming a popular and award-winning author! One wonders what is next!
Next is Janet’s engaging new novel and a multi-cast audiobook based on some of her own intriguing life journey. She’s following Moonlight in Odessa, The Paris Library and Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade with a moving novel on friendship and navigating life in The Parisian Chapter.
I am excited to learn more about her latest story and what went into making this exciting new multi-cast audio novel.
EYE: I understand you started writing The Parisian Chapter several years ago in 2010. How did you keep your faith in the story and its potential as an audiobook?
JANET: When I worked at the American Library in Paris, I knew that the place was a novel. I wanted to showcase the extreme ups and downs that people face when they live abroad. For some people, life in Paris is a dream come true, but others might struggle with the French language, French in-laws, and French bureaucracy.
I always hoped that the book would be published on paper and in audio form. When you start a writing project, you never know where it will go. I am grateful that my editor Lara Blackman saw the potential and that her team at Simon & Schuster Audio did such an amazing job.
EYE: Does this multicast audiobook, The Parisian Chapter, capture your characters and storyline the way you thought?
JANET: I loved how the actors brought each character to life! It was incredible to hear how each actor interpreted the character they read. And for an author and booklover, it is a dream come true to hear my characters come to life.
EYE: I understand that multi-cast audiobooks are gaining in popularity. How was that experience?
JANET: It has been an incredible experience. I was lucky in that the producer sent several recordings of actors for each role. The hardest part was choosing just one, because each actor was incredible. Now, when I watch movies, I feel for the casting directors, because actors can do an amazing, and completely opposite, performance. How do casting directors decide?
“I love audiobooks and the sensation of being read to. It is a luxury! There are so many talented actors who bring characters to life. My sister has an hour commute, and every day, she is able to enjoy her time in the car and be swept away by story.”
EYE: What do you see as your most relatable storyline in the novel?
JANET: Reviewer Melissa Amster called my book The Devil Loves Prada in a Library. I loved that description! I think many people can relate to not getting along with our boss; not feeling appreciated at work; as well as investing more than we should in our jobs, and not getting much in return.
In The Parisian Chapter, Lily, the main character, finally understands that she could work herself to death, and the sacrifice still wouldn’t be enough for her boss. The situation won’t change, so Lily has to make some big decisions. And we all have to make those big decisions about how we want to lives our lives and where we want to spend our precious time and energy.
EYE: Your story has been described as a love letter to the power of literature and the life of the artist. Would you elaborate?
JANET: Working as an artist is hard because it deals with “submission,” or sending your work out into the world and hoping that an editor or art dealer will accept it. In this book, I tried to show what that felt like, the desperate hope, the wailing despair, the dream of seeing your words in print or your painting on a gallery wall.
EYE: People often talk about the power of storytelling. What does that mean for you?
JANET: These days our attention spans are short, and our nerves are frayed. Personally, I worry a lot. So when I can fall into a book and forget my worries, it means everything. I love it when characters on the page become friends that I spend a few evenings with.
“I love learning something new. Whether it is through film, audiobooks, e-books, or physical books, I enjoy being swept away to a new land and to spend time with characters. Especially when going through a hard time, stories are solace.”
EYE: What do you find when you participate in book clubs?
JANET: I love meeting with book clubs! Readers restore my faith in humanity. It is a gorgeous thing to see friends and book lovers come together to discuss a book. I especially like it when members disagree with each other and when they share how they view a character or a plot line. It makes me happy to see people debate, laugh, and enjoy.
EYE: With your love of bookstores, even as an investor in The Red Wheelbarrow in Paris, and libraries, how have you seen them change and adapt to maintain their communities’ impact?
JANET: In the current political climate, libraries and bookstores work hard to be inclusive and to fight against prejudice and book banning. Books and ideas should be available to all.
I love how libraries have pivoted to serve their communities by making all sorts of items available to patrons, from art to hang on the wall, to toys and games, to neckties for job interviews. Libraries remain one of the only available places that we can enjoy for free.
EYE: Are there any books you might recommend after listening to or reading The Parisian Chapter?
JANET: My next novel is Moonlight in Odessa, which originally came out in 2010. Set in Ukraine in 1996, it highlights the booming business of email-order brides. Coming out in December, it will get a gorgeous new cover and Author’s Note. I hope you will check it out.
If you are interested in work set in France and about travel, I recommend Paris Every Day by Rebecca Plotnick or Amuse Bouche by Carolyn Boyd. For great French recipes, I use Mardi Michel’s cookbooks, which are great for adults and kids. These three writers have great newsletters as well.
EYE: Once again, Janet, you have come up with an affecting and relatable historical narrative in The Parisian Chapter. What a fascinating adventure you have written. TWE wishes you much continued success with your audiobook and trade paperback coming out May 5.
Lead Photo Credit: Janet and Eddy Charles at The Red Wheelbarrow bookstore, Paris/Photo: Penelope Fletcher
Website: JSkeslienCharles
Facebook: @jskesliencharles
instagram: @jskesliencharles
Some book links in this post may be “affiliate links,” meaning TWE receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
Website: JSkeslienCharles
Facebook: @jskesliencharles
instagram: @jskesliencharles
Some book links in this post may be “affiliate links,” meaning TWE receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
Leave a Reply