After being crowned black belt in the practice of dating sites, gold medal for complicated romantic relationships and best female hopeful in the category "my credit card is uncontrollable", Juliette Sachs decided to draw inspiration from her misadventures to write novels. Since she was little, she has devoured every book she could get her hands on, with a preference for thrillers, feel-good novels and romantic comedies. It was therefore quite natural that in 2023 she began writing her first novel, a “cozy mystery”, combining the humor and suspense that she has always appreciated in her reading. After cozy mysteries, she tried her hand at feel-good novels, featuring endearing women with strong characters and lots of humor (and sometimes a little goofy
After being crowned black belt in the practice of dating sites, gold medal for complicated romantic relationships and best female hopeful in the category "my credit card is uncontrollable", Juliette Sachs decided to draw inspiration from her misadventures to write novels. Since she was little, she has devoured every book she could get her hands on, with a preference for thrillers, feel-good novels and romantic comedies. It was therefore quite natural that in 2023 she began writing her first novel, a “cozy mystery”, combining the humor and suspense that she has always appreciated in her reading. After cozy mysteries, she tried her hand at feel-good novels, featuring endearing women with strong characters and lots of humor (and sometimes a little goofy.
These novels have (fortunately) nothing autobiographical. In real life, Juliette Sachs' existence is much calmer than that of her heroines. She lives in the Paris region, but remains very attached to Brittany, where her maternal family comes from. After studying law, she worked as a lawyer in a large company for around fifteen years, before switching to the field of innovation as a project manager.
YOU ARE CURRENTLY PRESENTING TWO MANUSCRIPTS ON ÉDITH & NOUS, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THEM
Like many authors, I have indeed been quite productive during the periods of confinement. I was thus able to complete two manuscripts and submit them to Edith & Nous. The first, The Philosophy of the Ostrich , is a feel-good novel featuring Noémie, a 37-year-old young woman who finds herself unemployed after a professional tragedy that she tries to forget. To avoid losing her unemployment benefits, she accepts a job as a photographer for a wedding. When once there, she discovers that two of her former colleagues are among the guests, the situation turns into disaster and the past that she is trying to hide resurfaces. And to make matters worse, here she is accused of theft. But just when she thinks she's hitting rock bottom, the help of a bubbly old lady will turn her life upside down.
My second novel is a cozy mystery, in other words a light thriller, without violence or blood, in which the hero who leads the investigation is an amateur (that is to say neither a police officer nor a private detective) . In Corpse and High Heels , we follow the adventures of Camille, a friendly and goofy journalist, who spends a weekend with friends for her best friend's bachelorette party. Unfortunately, nothing goes as planned and the dream trip turns into a disaster when the bride-to-be's engagement ring disappears. And to make matters worse, the waiter who took care of them all evening is found murdered. Due to her job as an investigative journalist, Camille is contacted by the victim's family and she launches into a dangerous investigation to unmask the assassin. But between her overprotective ex and her blackmail-loving mother, she risks seeing all the colors. »
HAVE YOU ALREADY PUBLISHED SEVERAL NOVELS WITH VARIOUS PUBLISHERS
And yes, I produce, I produce, I can't stop, it's almost compulsive (laughing). After We don't attract swallows with vinegar , a cozy mystery published in February 2023 (in which we discover Camille, the heroine of Corpse and High Heels for her first investigation), I then published Deadly Holidays in Paradise at City éditions in September 2023 (which has just been reissued in paperback). Here again, it is a cozy mystery which transports the reader to the Maldives in the company of Alice, her family and her friends. My editorial calendar was then disrupted by the health crisis and I had to wait until September 2023 for my next releases. We stay in the cozy mystery with Fête de famille fatale , Camille's second investigation, published by City éditions. Then we change genre with Inquiry into Happiness , my first feel-good novel, published by Éditions de l'Opportun (Nisha). Finally, more recently, I Hate My Boss (Passionately) , a romantic comedy on the theme of reconstruction and new beginnings, was released digitally by Harper Collins in their &H collection.
And I can't resist the urge to tell you about my next novel, scheduled for September 2023, from City éditions, entitled Retraite, medocs et rock & roll (the title may change between now and publication) in which you will discover five slightly zany septuagenarians who find themselves confronted with a big question: can you change your life at 75? Crazy laughs and emotions guaranteed! »
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE GENRE
“If you have followed everything I have just told you, you already know how to answer this question! But for the latecomers, I will elaborate a little. I tried my hand at three literary genres: cozy mystery, feel-good novels, romantic comedies. If I had to choose between the three, it would be feel-good. Firstly because I read a lot of them myself. Secondly, because in terms of writing, it’s the genre that brings me the most satisfaction and pleasure. I like the diversity of characters that I can create there, whether in terms of age, gender, profession, character... (which, we're not going to lie, is less the case in a romantic comedy ). However, I don't plan to stop the cozy mysteries because the character of Camille really appeals to readers. I therefore wish to continue writing her adventures, in order to make a series, a bit like that of Agatha Raisin (to which readers often compare the character of Camille).
CAN YOU GET TO THE WRITING WINDOW
If you only knew how many times I’ve been asked this question!” In the collective imagination, once you are published in a publishing house and distributed in bookstores, you sell millions of books. I would like to tell you that Guillaume Musso had better watch out and that I am following in his footsteps. But the reality is more complicated. For the moment, I am far from being able to make a living from writing, even if that remains my wish. I have a full-time job that I like, so there's no rush to give up everything! While waiting to one day, I hope, be able to devote myself completely to writing, I am “converting” the earnings I get from my book sales into additional days off. These days off allow me to have more time to make progress on my manuscripts. And therefore to publish more novels. And thus make more sales! A virtuous circle which will perhaps one day lead to a resignation. Let anyone who has never dreamed of entering their boss's office, disguised as a yellow duck, shouting "goodbye president" throw the first stone at me (if you have never seen this advertisement from Française des jeux, you probably think I'm crazy. I assure you, that's not the case). »
WHAT ARE YOUR WRITING RITUALS
I try to write every day, so as not to lose inspiration and to move forward regularly with my story. As my job is still very busy, I got into the habit of writing during my lunch breaks. I said goodbye to the canteen. Instead, I quickly eat a salad or sandwich at my workstation, which gives me a reasonable amount of time to write. The only downside was that at first my colleagues (who were unaware of my activity as an author) took me for a savage. But now, they know that I'm failing them for a good cause and are understanding! Of course I also write on weekends and during holidays. The only time I can't write is in the evening. After a day of work, I no longer have the courage to dive back into my manuscripts. On the other hand, once in my bed, my brain runs at full speed and I invent a thousand and one adventures for my characters. I even imagine the dialogues in my head sometimes. The hardest part is remembering it when you wake up! »
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST ADVICE TO GIVE TO A BEGINNING AUTHOR
To write a little bit every day, or at least as often as possible. Regularity is very important to maintain consistency in the story. If you write a page every month, you risk pretty quickly not remembering where you are. You also have to know how to let yourself be carried away by your inspiration. The time for corrections will come later. The first step is your story! Don't focus on the form, focus on the substance. Too bad if the first draft has tons of repetitions and spelling mistakes. Once your final point has been made, the long period of proofreading begins. Already to ensure that your story holds up, to appreciate it as a reader. Then to track down all the stylistic awkwardness, repetitions, and spelling mistakes. Then, have your text reread by someone you trust, who will be able to tell you the positive but also the negative. Nothing worse than a beta reader who will assure you that your text deserves the Goncourt even though he found it indigestible and shaky!
To familiarize yourself with writing techniques, styles, narration, and layout methods, there are writing courses, either on the internet (sometimes given by well-known authors) or in person. This is a real plus for presenting a perfect manuscript to editors. »
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE NEXT PUBLISHER WHO PUBLISHES YOU
Lots of things! The relationship between a publisher and an author is so important... First of all, of course, I want him to like my text and believe in its potential. I also expect a publisher to be well distributed in bookstores and to be able to enable my novel to meet its readers. But I also want communication between us to be fluid, for us to form a team, whether in terms of editorial work, corrections, the title, the cover... A harmonious collaboration between the author and the publisher me seems essential to achieve the best possible version of the novel. And once the novel is finalized and printed, good promotion in the press and on social networks is a significant plus.