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author interviews

k&k episode 450 - the one where they discuss the history of the (e)mail order bride... and stuff...

In episode 450 we step back in time to an episode we recorded earlier this year with Janet Skeslien Charles, author of Moonlight in Odessa. We continue talking about the "email order bride", the extensive history of this phenomenon, the power of the internet in forming relationships, the expectations and preconceptions of the women who are part of these schemes and the subsequent culture shock. Janet shares some of her culture shock and travel experiences, we talk about the presence of the Ukranian Mafia, national pride, making friends in foreign countries, learning the language, and we chat a bit more about the personalities of some of the characters.

k&k episode 438 - the one where they learn more about revenants in Paris... and stuff...

In episode 438 we continue our chat with the delightful Amy Plum, author of Die for Me, and tackle one of our favourite aspects of her book - the supernatural side! We talk about how she came up with the idea of the "revenant" and how she created the mythology behind it (as opposed to zombies!), how she came to choose Paris as a setting for the novel and why she chose various areas of Paris for different events in the book, and we chat about how her intimate knowledge of French and Parisian culture influenced her writing and we geek out over the movie potential.

k&k episode 437 - the one where they learn about zombies, no, make that revenants in Paris... and stuff...

We're delighted to welcome Amy Plum, author of Die for Me, on the show for episode 437! We have a chat about the book itself, then Amy tells us all about what brought her from Alabama to France, with a few fascinating detours on the way, including getting a Masters degree in Medieval Art History, meeting Winona Ryder and being a tour guide. She then describes the process of writing the book and her experience of getting published, and we share some of our thoughts about the main protagonist of the novel. (Stay tuned - in a couple of days we'll release the next part of our chat with Amy!)

k&k episode 411 - the one where they talk about finding love around the world... and sexpats... and stuff...

In episode 411 we continue our chat with Janet Skeslien Charles, author of Moonlight in Odessa, and she tells us all about the most exciting news of her book being featured on posters in train stations around the UK! We get back to the fascinating topic of (e)mail order brides, she shares some feedback she has received from men and women who have used these services, we talk about the "socials" organised by agencies and whether these sorts of marriages can work in the long run, then we discuss what inspired her to write this novel and how being an expat in France helped her in this project.

k&k episode 410 - the one where they talk about grizzly bears and (e)mail order brides... and stuff...

We're thrilled to welcome Janet Skeslien Charles, author of Moonlight in Odessa, to the studio in episode 410! After discussing what part of the world she comes from, what brought her to France and why she has stayed, we chat about her adventures living in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, and what inspired her to write the book, which leads us to talk at length about the fascinating phenomenon of (e)mail order brides.

k&k episode 404 - the one where they discuss brownies, hot dogs and fondue... and stuff...

We're pleased to present episode 404, a little something we prepared earlier with David Lebovitz, author of many books including Ready for Dessert! He tells us his current favourite cocktail, then we chat about the differences between desserts in America and Australia and France, the French confusion about the hot dog, whether the French are experimental in their cooking, whether the French can cook things all the way through and mistakes in the kitchen. We talk about how living in France has changed the way we eat, what he would miss about France if he moved elsewhere, which leads us to a discussion about fondue, raclette and different cuts of meat.

k&k episode 387 - the one where they talk about more stuff Parisians like... and stuff...

We continue chatting to Olivier Magny (of Ô Chateau, Stuff Parisians Like, and tDessine-moi un Parisien) in episode 387, where we talk about why the blog and the book are so funny, then he tells us where the name of the book comes from and he kindly draws a Parisian for us. We then talk about what Parisians actually like, New York, hamburger eating and the love/hate relationship between France and America, whether Parisians identify themselves as Parisian before they identify as being French, and whether it's possible for outsiders to become Parisian, which leads to Olivier sharing some very interesting theories about why foreigners are attracted to Paris.

k&k episode 378 - the one where they talk about national culinary pride and green skies... and stuff...

Ann Mah, author of Kitchen Chinese is still in the studio with us for episode 378, and after a brief chat about dodgy dives and almost drinking Suze, she tells us more about her adventures living, working and eating in Beijing. We talk about national culinary pride, the diversity of the expat community in Beijing versus Paris, the ever-fascinating subject of cultural identity, and whether it's easier to be an expat in China or France. She then tells us about the culture shock of moving back to Washington, the experience of French immersion courses in preparation for their subsequent move to Paris, then (squee!) she tells us about some of her favourite places to eat Chinese food in Paris!

k&k episode 377 - the one where they are blown away by beijing and drool over dumplings... and stuff...

We're very pleased to welcome Ann Mah, author of Kitchen Chinese: A Novel about Food, Family and Finding Yourself, in the studio for episode 377! She tells us about being Chinese American and the massive culture shock that she experienced when she and her husband moved to Beijing. We chat about her family heritage and the fascinating issue of cultural identity, as well as her adventures living in Beijing, learning about Chinese cuisine, trying to get a grasp on the language and the saucy subject of censorship.

k&k episode 363 - the one where they talk about clichés and French comedy... and stuff...

In episode 363 we're pleased to present a special episode we recorded with Stephen Clarke a few months ago! We get to chatting about many and various things - what makes a cliché a cliché, the differences between the French and English styles of humour, whether the French are rude or not, whether the customer is always right, how to get what you want in France, drinking habits, French cinema and French comedy.

k&k episode 361 - the one where they discuss murder, mystery and flea markets ... and stuff...

It is with much excitement that we present an episode we recorded a couple of months ago with murder mystery writer Cara Black (author of the Aimée Leduc series) for episode 361! We chat about her interesting decision to set her books in Paris in the 90s - all about francs, flea markets, smoking, computers, and being true to a time period. She also recounts some fascinating stories about finding inspiration, writing and travelling.

k&k episode 359 - the one where they talk truffles and swap suppository stories... and stuff...

For your summer amusement, we're pleased to present an episode we recorded a few months ago with David Lebovitz for episode 359! We talk about things like truffle hunting, visiting markets and whether the French actually get fat. We manage to jump from discussing his favourite desserts to suppository stories, le gastro and food hygiene. We finish off chatting about green beans, laundry, French kitchens, peeling tomatoes and m&ms.

k&k episode 339 - the one where they learn more about mysterious murders in Paris... and stuff...

We continue our chat with Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc murder mystery series in episode 339! We find out how she knows so much about French culture and current events and we discuss the inspiration for the various interesting characters in her novels - from Aimée Leduc, the typical Parisian woman with an American edge, to Réné, her vertically challenged partner, and finally to the multi-faceted role of Paris as a character.

k&k episode 338 - the one where they learn about mysterious murders in Paris... and stuff...

In episode 338, we have the pleasure of meeting Cara Black, the fascinating author of the Aimée Leduc detective series, from Murder in the Marais to her most recent book, Murder in the Palais Royal. We chat about why she chose to base her series in Paris, how she does her research into the various quartiers of Paris and all the different subjects covered in each book, and she even reveals some of the secrets and stories behind the books!

k&k episode 320 - the one where they talk about ice cream and pastries with David Lebovitz... and stuff...

We've still got David Lebovitz (author of many books including the Sweet Life in Paris, The Perfect Scoop, and the soon to be released Ready for Dessert) in the studio with us for episode 320, where we talk about whether the French eat ice cream in the winter, what makes expats so nostalgic about goodies from home, cultural differences in the perception of food and it's value, how French food culture has changed in recent years, why fast food has become so popular here, why coffee tastes SO unbelievably crap in France, then he tells us about his newest book, Ready for Dessert.

k&k episode 319 - the one where they discuss food and the art of bribery with David Lebovitz... and stuff...

We're rather excited to have David Lebovitz (author of many books including the Sweet Life in Paris, The Perfect Scoop, and the upcoming Ready for Dessert) in the k&k boudoir for episode 319. Whilst we eat cupcakes (thank goodness for the Wet Ones), we talk about a wide variety of things, including jelly wrestling (or aspic fighting), getting stuff done in France with food-related bribery, the "francophile phenomenon" and why so many people are enamoured with France, administration woes, how to drink Suze, Korean pancakes, and what effect chefs like Julia Child had on the perception of French food and whether the French can handle "change".

k&k episode 314 - the one where the learn the truth about French history, according to Stephen Clarke... and stuff...

We've still got Stephen Clarke in the studio for episode 314, and he continues to regale us with tales from his upcoming book, 1000 Years of Annoying the French - including dubious battle strategies, the taking of Calais, the truth behind Napoleon's height and Joan of Arc's demise, how Louisiana got sold and the secrets behind Sarkozy's recent visit to England. We then discuss why the French are so proud of their language, the evolution of written French in letters, emails and text messages and the immortels behind deciding what's French and what's not.

k&k episode 313 - the one where they meet Paul West... and Stephen Clarke... and stuff...

We're thrilled to welcome Stephen Clarke (author of A Year in the Merde, Talk to the Snail and many more books) in the k&k boudoir for episode 313. We chat about how he found himself in France, why he moved here, which deviates into a discussion of French efficiency and socialising with colleagues. We find out how long he's been in France and why he's stayed, then we talk about A Year in the Merde and other Paul West books and whether or not there is any truth in them, then Stephen tells us all about his next book, 1000 Years of Annoying the French, to be released in March (but available for preorder now!).

k&k episode 263 - the one where they talk about secret Paris... and stuff...

With the lovely Heather Stimmler-Hall in the k&k boudoir for episode 263, we chat about what inspired Heather to become a tour guide, some of the adventures she has had as a travel professional in France, the importance of preparation and asking the right questions, whether climbing the Eiffel Tower means you've "seen Paris", different travelling styles, the benefits of custom tours and how to herd people. We finish off by talking about what drew her to Paris and what keeps her here.

k&k episode 248 - the one where they talk about having the finger on the pulse... and stuff...

We continue chatting with Heather Stimmler-Hall for episode 248, and we talk about how Secrets of Paris is always on top of What's On in Paris (such as artist "open doors" and horse races), the château of Chantilly and the famous stables, the château of Cheverny and it's residents, we make some embarrassing confessions and Heather tells us a bit about what it's like to update guide books. Then, as we chat about some of the more interesting questions she's been sent by readers, Heather launches a contest on the show : have you ever wanted to know something about Paris, France or the French and never been able to find out the answer? Ask Heather, and you'll be in the running to win a fantastic prize!

k&k episode 247 - the one where they talk about naughty awards... and stuff...

We always get cheeky with Heather Stimmler-Hall, and episode 247 is no exception! We chat about our sexy new studio, the award she won for the Naughty Paris Guide, Sacre Coeur, medal-wearing, sexual conservatism and the differences between Paris, London and New York, dressing-up, exclusive white picnics, limo services for our guests, what movies parents should show their children before they travel to Paris to make sure they behave, taxi horror stories, and some more on the book fair.

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Next one : Saturday 3 September
Time : TBA

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k&k episode 456
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k&k episode 454
k&k episode 453
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