The latest work by Françoise Bourdin, which is therefore also the first, tells the story of Frédérique, a young horse racing enthusiast, brimming with energy. At seventeen, she chooses to leave the intense and complex relationship she shares with Joël, her first love. During a stay in London, she succumbs to the charm of a young lord, brilliant and reassuring, who opens the doors to the British aristocracy for her.
Four years pass. Frédérique lives a pleasant existence with the Englishman, but without flavor or thrill. He misses adventure, racing, and France. Back in Paris, she finds Joël, who has become a jockey. Thinking she had forgotten her, she reconnects with him with the passion that once animated her.
READ – Françoise Bourdin: her very first novel, The Wet Suns
Born in 1952 in Paris and died in December 2022, Françoise Bourdin was the daughter of opera artists, having grown up in the captivating world of spectacle. During her career, she published nearly fifty books and liked to say that she wrote “ stories that resemble us “. Among the best-selling writers in France, his works have been translated into twelve languages and several of them have been adapted for television.
A writing competition
The free writing competition entitled “ Françoise Bourdin Prize », is organized in partnership with Librinova, which takes place from October 3, 2024 to January 30, 2025. The first Prize will be awarded at the beginning of May 2025 and the winner will see the manuscript of his novel published in Récamier editions, within one year.
The second and third prizes will win the publication of their work in digital version by Librinova.
For your novel to be eligible, there are a few prerequisites: it must be a family story, anchored in a region (unity of place). It highlights a profession, a passion, a specific activity… And relates to themes such as family, nature, courage, perseverance, friendship, love but also
optimism.
The jury for this competition is made up of Fabienne de la Porte des Vaux and Frédérique Le Teurnier, daughters of Françoise Bourdin. But also Céline Thoulouze, general director of Récamier editions, members of the Récamier publishing house, and Laure Prételat and Charlotte Allibert, founders of Librinova.
To participate, from October 3, you can submit a manuscript until January 30, 2025, midnight Paris time, on their site. To validate their participation in the competition, the participant must publish their text and accept the rules.
The jury’s deliberations will take place during the months of January to May 2025, and the announcement of the results
will be done at the beginning of May 2025.
Photo credits: Françoise Bourdin-Coul © Mélania Avanzato
