The American Library in Paris Book Awards November 2025

Early in 2025 I learned that The Duty of Memory had been nominated for the American Library in Paris Book of the Year Award with the award ceremony scheduled for November 7. What a thrill! I couldn't miss this, the highlight of my writing career. I persuaded my sister-in-law, Lynnette Watts to accompany me on a trip to Paris to attend the ceremony. We arrived in Paris on November 6, and after checking in to out hotel we visited the library to see my book on display with the other nominees. After months of emails with the book awards coordinator, Claire Hargreaves, I had the opportunity to finally meet her. She invited me to sign the copy of the book that would be in their permanent collection. Thrill #2.

The following evening Lynnette and I attended the awards ceremony held in the George C. Marshall Center in the US Embassy. Thrill #3. What a gala affair, with a champaign reception following the ceremony. I didn't win...but as they say...it was an honor just to be nominated. Congratulations to Sue Prideaux—her biography of Paul Gaugin, "Wild Thing" took the award.

American Library in Paris

Signing The Duty of Memory at the Paris Library

At the George C. Marshall Center - US Embassy in Paris