Insider Paris Guide for
Expat Writers
Written and Regularly Updated by Elizabeth Reichert
Are you, like so many great writers past and present, drawn to and intoxicated by the City of Light? Discover the ins-and-outs of literary Paris whether you are a novelist, journalist, poet or just a dreamer.
Table of Contents
| Introduction | |
| Notes on How to Use This Guide | p. 6 |
| PART ONE: HISTORY, LOGISTICS, AND COMMUNITY | |
| 1. Literary Paris: From Then To Now | |
| "The Great Literary Workshop of Paris" | p. 7 |
| "Une Génération Perdue" | p. 8 |
| "Stratford-on-Odéon": Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare and Company | p. 9 |
| Paris is a Woman | p. 11 |
| Published in Paris: Small Presses and Magazines | p. 13 |
| The Paris Review | p. 14 |
| L'Aventure Continues: The Post-War Pilgrims | p. 16 |
| A Naked Lunch at The Beat Hotel | p. 18 |
| From Then to Now | p. 19 |
| Readings | p. 20 |
| Literary Tours | p. 21 |
| Be Your Own Flâneur: A List of Literary Landmarks | p. 21 |
| 2. Re-Learning Kafka: Visas, Cartes De Sejours And Work Permits | |
| The Burecratic Trials of France | p. 26 |
| Overview of Writing Related Visas, Cartes de Séjours and Work Permits | p. 27 |
| The Tourist Visa | p. 28 |
| Paying for Working Papers With Council Exchange | p. 29 |
| Coming to Paris as a Temporary Visitor | p. 30 |
| If You are a Salaried Employee | p. 30 |
| Travailleur Indépendant | p. 31 |
| Carte de Séjour Artistique | p. 32 |
| France's Teaching Assistant Program | p. 32 |
| Student Visas and Work Permits | p. 33 |
| Touching the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) as a Student | p. 35 |
| Extended Stays: The Permanent Resident Card | p. 35 |
| The Infinite Collection of Documents | p. 36 |
| "The Rule of Three" | p. 36 |
| Useful Web Sites and Other Resources | p. 37 |
| 3. Your Unsentimental Education: Studying The Language And Literature | |
| Your Unsentimental Education | p. 37 |
| Learning the Language | p. 38 |
| List of Language Schools | p. 39 |
| Other Learning Methods: Conversation Groups and Partners | p. 40 |
| Studying (French) Literature in the Higher Educational System | p. 40 |
| Learning on Your Own: French Literature 101 | p. 44 |
| French Literature Reading List | p. 50 |
| Other Learning Methods: Auditing Lectures, Tutors and Individual Courses | p. 51 |
| Joshua Jordan's Story: Comparative Literature Student | p. 51 |
| 4. Your Weapons And Your Talent: When Money Is An Issue | |
| When Money is an Issue | p. 52 |
| Overview of Paris-Based Writing Work | p. 53 |
| Other Work Possibilities | p. 53 |
| Travail Au Noir | p. 53 |
| Volunteering | p. 54 |
| Grants | p. 54 |
| 5. Setting Up Your Tools | |
| The Search for Kinkos: Internet Cafés and Copy Resources | p. 59 |
| Setting Up Office: Internet Hook-up | p. 60 |
| Printers and Fax Machines | p. 60 |
| 6. An Internal Architechture: Researching In Paris | |
| The Bibliothéques | p. 61 |
| The American Library in Paris | p. 61 |
| La Bibliotheque Nationale de France (BNF) | p. 62 |
| Bibliothéque Centre Pompidou, or Beaubourg | p. 63 |
| Local Libraries by Arrondissements | p. 64 |
| List of Specialized and University Affliated Libraries | p. 65 |
| Notable English-Language Bookstores | p. 66 |
| Research Web Sites and Online Bookstores | p. 69 |
| 7. Where To Find Other Writers: The Anglophone Community | |
| The Community | p. 69 |
| Local English-Language Literary Journals | p. 70 |
| Readings | p. 77 |
| Moving Parts: Bi-Lingual Theatre Group | p. 79 |
| Local Literary Clubs | p. 79 |
| Paris Soirées | p. 79 |
| Writing Workshops and Courses | p. 80 |
| PART TWO: WRITING AND PUBLISHING | |
| 8. Introduction: The Writing Life (From Paris) | |
| 9. Resources For Freelance Writers | |
| Your Bible(s): The Writer's Market and Other Publications | p. 85 |
| Finding Jobs, Reference and Informational Materials: List of Useful Web Sites, E-Newsletters, and Writers' Organizations (Not Specific to Paris) | p. 86 |
| Contacts: List of Paris-Based Publications, Agencies and Other Media Companies | p. 88 |
| Freelancing From Paris: International Coupons and Sample Magazines | p. 95 |
| Photo Materials | p. 95 |
| Taxes | p. 96 |
| Carte de Presse (Press Cards for Journalists/Reporters) | p. 96 |
| Rose Marie Burke's Story: Freelance Journalist (Newspapers and Magazines) | p. 96 |
| Simone Girner's Story: Freelance Writer (Magazines) | p. 97 |
| Benjamin Sutherland's Story: Freelance Journalist, Editor, Translator, Documentary Film Writer | p. 98 |
| Kyle Jarrard's Story: Editor at the International Herald Tribune, Novelist | p. 99 |
| 10. Travel Writing | |
| Marketable France | p. 101 |
| Writing Paris-Based Guides and Memoirs | p. 101 |
| List of Online and Print Resources | p. 101 |
| Thirza Vallois's Story: Author of Around and About Paris Guidebooks | p. 102 |
| Patty Lurie's Story: Author of Impressionist Paris | p. 103 |
| Harriet Welty Rochefort's Story: Author of French Toast and French Fried | p. 104 |
| Polly Platt's Story: Author of Savoir Flair and French or Foe? | p. 105 |
| 11. Resources For Fiction Writers And Poets | |
| Your Bible(s): Novel and Short Story Writer's Market and Other Print Resources | p. 106 |
| List of Online and Print Resources (Not Specific to Paris): For Novelists, Poets, Childrens Story Writers and Scriptwriters | p. 107 |
| Paris Platforms (Refer to Part I, Chapter VII) | p. 109 |
| Ethan Gilsdorf's Story: Poet, Freelance Writer, Editor | p. 109 |
| Lauren Davis's Story: Novelist | p. 110 |
| Jake Lamar's Story: Novelist | p. 111 |
| 12. Translation Work | |
| Getting Started, Getting Experience | p. 112 |
| Degree Earning Options | p. 113 |
| List of Paris-Based Contacts | p. 115 |
| List of General Online and Print Resources (Not Specific to Paris) | p. 117 |
| Joseph Simas' Story: Translator of Film Subtitles and Poetry, Filmmaker, Poet, Writing Instructor, Editor | p. 117 |
| Jennifer Dick's Story: Literary Translator, Poet, Editor, Journalist, Writing Instructor | p. 118 |
| 13. Publishing: Some General Notes And Resources | |
| Staying Connected to the Home Front | p. 120 |
| Publishing Resources and Links | p. 121 |
| Conclusion: A Little French Lesson | |
| About The Author | |
| Acknowledgements | |


Author Elizabeth Reichert