The Paris Writers Atelier: A Space of Our Own                

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      Thirty writers and guests gathered in the Paris Writers Atelier, at 8 rue de la Bûcherie, greeting one another as we sipped wine, tasted fruit skewers and salmon hors d’oeuvres. Large portraits of Simone de Beauvoir, the French philosopher and author of The Second Sex (1949), along with Henry Miller, the American author of Tropic of Cancer (1934), peered down from the soft grey walls. 

       After a round of applause, Xiaolu Guo introduced her award winning documentary film, The Concrete Revolution. 

      In her film, Xiaolu follows the lives of the peasants, workers and families who are impacted by the construction of the massive facilities that are being built to accommodate the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her film is our prelude to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The evening was a perfect example of a literary atelier. Atelier is a French word, which often describes a space for working artists, fashion or jewelry designers. Paint, easels, sewing machines, fabrics, kilns and worktables fill the room for one or more artists where they create, display or sell their work.

The Paris Writers Atelier expands that definition. We are a meeting space for the Paris Writers Group and other writers. Our main tools are our computers, pens, tablets, cameras and phones. We meet to exchange ideas, discuss publishing issues, promote or sell our work, lead or participate in workshops and retreats, and learn from distinguished speakers. Some spend time writing in the Atelier or use our Henry Miller archives for research projects.

Valuable networking, enhanced by imbibing in French wine, champagne, food and desserts, begins and concludes most events. All provided by our talented members and guests. 

Janet Hulstrand, the author of Demystifying the French, who lives outside of Paris, said, “For me, the Paris Writers Atelier is an intellectual lifeline.” 

Follow our website and the Mary Duncan Youtube Channel for future Atelier events.

Mary Duncan Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMq-NiDA7w1QAJbxGHfBgrg

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Mary Duncan

About Mary Duncan

Mary Duncan, a native San Diegan, grew up in National City, where Henry Miller said he found his identity. In searching for her identity, she has traveled to numerous countries and prefers to be where there is action, diversity and controversy. Her research specialty as a professor at San Diego State University was the “troubles” in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republican Army. She focused on the conflict’s impact on children and the internal organization of the I.R.A. and its cell groups. In addition she has researched children and play patterns in Mexican squatter villages, Arab Tourism in London and international terrorism. In 1982, she moved to La Jolla, a seaside community in San Diego. She met people who introduced her to the worlds of Henry Miller, Simone de Beauvoir, Colette and other writers. And it is in these worlds that she found relief from the stress and uncertainty that emanated from her Belfast research. Paris and La Jolla entered her life almost simultaneously. In Paris she created a circle of friends and started building a foundation for a life in the City of Light. After her marriage to Yuri Loskutov, a Russian, she lived in Moscow several months of the year and founded Shakespeare and Company Bookstore Moscow. Since 2000, she has mainly lived in Paris. In 2005, she purchased an archive consisting of audio tapes, photographs and correspondence related to the life of Henry Miller. Some of these materials are described in her memoir, “Henry Miller is Under My Bed: People and Place on the Way to Paris.” (2008). She is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Henry Miller Memorial Library in BIg Sur, California and is is a patron of the Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival. In 2008, she founded the Paris Writers Group. In between her writing and travels, she continues to live in Paris.