I made a little video today, around the inspirations–places, things, people–of my most recent Sophie Beaumont novel, In The Paris Fashion (Ultimo Press 2025). It was a really nice thing to make and I hope you might enjoy it!
adult fiction
Talking all things writing and France next week
Delighted to announce that I’ll be appearing as guest author speaker for a very special evening with the French-Speaking Association of the North Shore (FANS) in Killarney Heights, Sydney, on Thursday July 30. I’ll be talking about my books and writing, my life as a French Australian, and lots more! There’ll be drinks and canapes, and Gleebooks will be there to sell my books, too. Hope to meet lots of readers!
Here’s the link to book: https://events.humanitix.com/fans-ed-talk-author-sophie-masson
Lovely double celebration!
Lovely double celebration last night in beautiful bookshop, Reader’s Companion in Armidale, for both In The Paris Fashion and The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef!
A wonderful publication week for In the Paris Fashion!
It’s been a lovely publication week for In the Paris Fashion, with bookshop signings and celebrations, and some great first reviews of the book, in the latest issue of the Australian Women’s Weekly and the latest issue of Who magazine. It’s off to a fantastic start!
Cover reveal for In The Paris Fashion!
Absolutely delighted to reveal the totally gorgeous cover of my forthcoming Sophie Beaumont novel, In The Paris Fashion! The beautiful illustrations on the cover are by the wonderful Cheryl Orsini, while the elegant cover design is by Christabella Designs. The book, published by Ultimo Press, will be out on October 28. Can’t wait!
A bookish European trip…
I’ve just come back from a month overseas –in France, including Paris, the Pays Basque and Toulouse; in Vienna; and in Spain (in the Spanish Basque country). During that time, I did quite a bit of research for future books and collected photos for my forthcoming novel, In The Paris Fashion, too. As a teaser, here’s a few photos relating to settings, scenes or elements of In The Paris Fashion…
Tissus Reine, Montmartre, Paris
Dam Boutons, Montmartre, Paris
Site of Coco Chanel’s old headquarters, Biarritz
The Carmes Markets, Toulouse
Finally, a few to make you guess!
Announcing In The Paris Fashion!
So excited to be sharing this announcement! My new adult novel, In The Paris Fashion, (written under the name of Sophie Beaumont), will be published by Ultimo Press in November!
Here’s the publisher’s announcement:
Ultimo Press are thrilled to be publishing In the Paris Fashion by Sophie Masson!
It’s a mystery that has passed into fashion legend: the perfect evening gown that was to be created by couture star Elisabeth Fontaine before her tragic death in 1930. Its design, a closely guarded secret, has never been found …
Just like Sophie’s previous novels, (The Paris Cooking School and A Secret Garden in Paris) In the Paris Fashion is utterly compelling, intriguing and romantic and this time it’s set against a background of timeless French fashion. J’adore!
Sophie says: ‘I wanted to tell a great story against the fascinating background of fashion, both contemporary and vintage, and to plunge the reader into a world of intrigue set around the enduring appeal of a legendary lost dress and what it means.’
Publisher, Brigid Mullane, says: ‘Say bonjour to your next escape: In the Paris Fashion is a heartwarming story of friendship, romance and stunning Parisian style – perfect for anyone who’s ever longed for a rendezvous in the City of Light.’
In the Paris Fashion will be published in November 2025 
This is a very special novel whose inspiration is very close to my heart (and my family history). More on that soon, but right now, it’s celebration time!
March was a busy book month!
I had a number of excellent book events in March: on March 12, a short talk at the State Library of NSW for the Society of Women Writers (NSW branch), where I focussed on my joint French and Australian influences, via my two most recent books, Bold Ben Hall and A Secret Garden in Paris; on March 13, two book events in Goulburn Library–a storytime event in the morning, around Satin and Cockadoodledoo, read to both children and their families and people from a local nursing home, and an event centred around my Sophie Beaumont adult novels, The Paris Cooking School and A Secret Garden in Paris, in the evening. On March 29, I did a book signing for Bold Ben Hall at Collins Booksellers in Armidale, and on March 30 I was at the fabulous Seasons of New England Expo, spruiking my books and chatting with readers and fellow attendees! Here are a few pics from the various events.
March events coming up
There’s going to be a lot of events coming up in March for me!
March 1: Paperback edition of Satin is released by MidnightSun Publishing.
March 5: Publication day of Bold Ben Hall (Walker Books)
March 8: Signing morning for Bold Ben Hall at Collins Booksellers, Armidale.
March 12: Talk at the State Library of NSW for The Society of Women Writers NSW–my talk, which is part of festivities around the 100th anniversary of the Society, will be around my French and Australian inspirations.
March 13: Two events at Goulburn Library: a morning Storytime event for kids, focussed around Satin and Cockadoodledoo; and an evening talk and Q and A for adults, centred on A Secret Garden in Paris.
March 30: Author appearance at signing at Seasons of New England Expo, Uralla.
It’s going to be a busy, fun time!
Looking forward to Nuit de la lecture!
On Saturday 25th January, in Sydney, I’ll be one of several guest authors at a special French-Australian literary dinner as part of a worldwide francophone event called Nuits de la Lecture (Nights of Reading)which celebrates books and reading and conversations between writers and readers. The event features literary games, book giveaways, a fun Q and A, and more, plus of course a nice meal (in our case, galettes and crepes at Four Frogs Creperie, Randwick). Much looking forward to it!
Feathers of the Firebird 