Today we're excited to chat with Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau author of

Kisses and Croissants.

 Read on for more about Anne-Sophie, her book, plus an giveaway! 

Meet Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau!

French author Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau's books have been translated into seven languages. Kisses and Croissants is her English-language debut. She lives in New York City with her Australian husband. Visit her online at www.asjouhanneau.com.

 Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Amazon Author Page

Meet Kisses and Croissants!

As sweet as a macaron from LA durée, with writing as crisp as a freshly baked baguette, this romantic novel set in Paris about an American ballerina and a charming French boy is parfait for fans of American Royals and Netflix's To All the Boys I've Loved Before. 

Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl at an elite summer ballet program, has six weeks to achieve her dreams: to snag an audition with one of the world's best ballet companies. But there's more to Paris than ballet--especially when a charming French boy, Louis, wants to be her tour guide--and the pair discover the city has a few mysteries up its sleeve. 

In the vein of romances like Love and Gelato, this is the perfect summer adventure for anyone looking to get swept away in the City of Love.

Amazon * B & N * Indiebound

~ Author Chat ~

YABC:  Do you have a favorite writing snack?

I have many favorite snacks, and I wish I only ate them while I’m writing. French pastries come first, obviously, and I have a fondness for pains au chocolat and croissants. On special days, I’ll get a fancy pâtisserie from Ladurée (maybe something rose-flavored) or a slice of Black Bottom Oat Pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds in Brooklyn. I like to bake, so I make banana scones, cookies, and other things on a regular basis.

YABC:  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

I’ve come to believe that perseverance is the most important element in becoming a published author. There are no shortcuts when it comes to writing a novel: making it great takes a lot of dedication, time, and effort. And then the process of finding an agent, and a publisher, is months or even years in the making. So I would say the realization that this is a long journey, with many detours along the way, was really important. And that doesn’t end once you have a book deal!

I’ve also learned a lot about my process, and what’s normal for me. When I’m writing a rough first draft, it’s often hard to believe that I will eventually turn it into a polished novel, but having gone through it a few times helps me remember that I can do it again. One sentence, paragraph, and one page at a time… It really does add up over time.

YABC:  What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I love the vibrant color. I’m not one to shy away from things that are deemed girly, so bring on all the pink! But the coolest detail to me is the shadow of the Vespa in the shape of the Eiffel Tower. It’s so striking. I was very lucky that two talented artists worked on the cover: Carolina Melis and Casey Moses.

YABC:  What’s on your TBR pile?

I buy about three or four books for each one I read, so my TBR pile is out of control. On top of that, I have many Advance Reader Copies of fellow authors’ books that I can’t wait to read.

YABC:  Next on my list:

American Betiya by Anuradha D. Rajurkar

The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

YABC:  What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?

Recently, I devoured Love in English by Maria E. Andreu. It’s about a young Argentinian immigrant who has to navigate high school in the U.S. while learning English. It’s a smart exploration of language and how we communicate with each other, with teen drama and romance mixed in.

YABC:  What’s up next for you?

I recently finished a draft of my next novel, also a standalone YA romance, and I’ll be working on revisions for the next few months. It’s currently slated to be published in fall 2022. I don’t know how much I can say about it yet, but food is a big theme.

YABC:  Are there any film adaptations, tv shows, audiobooks, or other adaptations in the works for this book?

Kisses and Croissants will be available as an audiobook starting April 6 (the same date as the hardcover release). Working with the audiobook team at Penguin Random House has been a fun process, and I loved helping to select the narrator. The book is also being translated into four languages (Czech, Slovak, German, and Romanian), with hopefully more to come.

YABC:  Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?

It depends. On some days it feels like words pour out of me, and it’s thrilling to fill pages quickly and effortlessly. That’s the best part about drafting: when you create something out of nothing, and see your story taking shape. On the other hand, revising can feel very fulfilling too; taking something raw and making it shine. Many lightbulb moments come during the revision process. I laid the groundwork during drafting, and now other parts are starting to click into place. All of this to say that my favorite part of the process varies from day to day.

YABC:  What advice would you give to new writers?

The advice I often see given is all great: read a lot, take classes, find peers (who have a similar level of experience and write in the same genre) with whom to exchange feedback.

I also encourage writers to think about what kind of stories they want to write (assuming it’s fiction). What age category? What genre? What are books they find inspiring, and that they can use as comparative titles for their own work? How can they describe their story in one sentence or one paragraph? What are themes they want to explore? Tropes they enjoy? I think it’s really helpful to have a framework, so that when they start writing, they’re not going off a blank page.

I also recommend people think about the career they’d like to have. Do they only want to work on novels or are they attracted to other types of writing, like essays or screenwriting? Do they want to write across genres or age categories, or focus on one? There are so many ways to be a fulfilled writer, and it can be helpful to think about what they want to accomplish over a time period.

Kisses and Croissants

By: Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Release Date: April 6th, 2021

 Publisher: Delacorte Press

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*

One winner will receive a copy of Kisses and Croissants (Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau) ~ (US Only)

 *Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

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