Cathy Galière: from the skates of Montpellier to the black novels of New York

Cathy Galière has a southern accent that enchants and fits perfectly with her playful personality. And yet, this former figure skating champion has chosen to write black novels and one wonders if there are not two personalities who compete with each other in this charming author, who is already working on her next novel, to be released in a few months. It was in New York that we met her, while she was completing her participation in the Festival of Francophone Authors held at the end of 2021 at the National Arts Club.

Cathy Galière

From ice to crime

Cathy Galière is a well-known figure in her region and in the French sports world, since after being Miss Languedoc she won especially on ice skates with the French team. It was after studying in Germany that she discovered roller skating online and developed it in France, creating her own training school. She has been doing her job for twenty years … Before the demon of writing took her.

Cathy has always blackened notebooks and even participated — as a child — in poetry competitions that she won. It was while writing the texts for her skating shows that she gained confidence in herself and in her talents as a novelist. “Who is the author of this beautiful text that I did not know” he was asked. So, with the children growing up, she threw herself into it. One day, while her husband was enjoying a summer nap, she felt a feisty need to write. The literary adventure began for Cathy without her suspecting that her writings would soon be retained by publishing houses and published.

It is the black novel that has imposed itself, like the writing of visions and images carried by its brain. Cathy has never really read detective stories, but she has collected facts from companies and scenes from films that have marked her. That’s what she puts down on paper. Writing is also an outlet for the Montpellier woman, her little personal therapy. She also adds very personal poems, close to her life, between two crime scenes!

For Cathy, writing was above all a fabulous adventure. The first time Cathy held her novel in her hands, she almost broke down. The dream was becoming a reality for this champion who was not one trophy away.

A strong and fragile heroine at the same time

It is a woman who is leading the investigation of this trilogy. « Lauren is the image of today’s woman who has a lot of homework and who shows extraordinary courage on a daily basis. Evolving a female character is more natural for me, even if I put myself in the shoes of a man in my next novel and it is exciting to discover the strength and fragility of men through this, ” explains the author.

From New York to Miami, Cathy’s bet

Cathy Galiére had not walked on the New York asphalt for twenty years. It was then a revelation and the incredible discovery of a city in which everything seemed possible. She was then skating in the streets and alleys of Central Park and people would stop her to offer her artistic contracts.

When she returned this winter to participate in the Festival of Francophone Authors, in America, she found the city changed and she missed the spirit of the 2000s. Nevertheless, she was once again amazed by the prospects of this high-rise city. Every street corner would have been a dream setting for the artistic inspiration of his dad, a painter, who designed the city long ago.

It is also in New York that Cathy’s next novel will take place. This trip also allowed him to make sure that his feeling for New York had remained intact.

Participating in this New York event has been a pipe dream

For Cathy, this Festival was a great opportunity and she did not hesitate to apply to participate in it. It was an unexpected opportunity to discover this mythical place that is The National Arts Club, to join the selection of authors present and to meet local readers. The idea of rubbing shoulders with an international audience and exchanging with authors from nine countries of the French-speaking world. By the way, a young girl, passionate about Cathy’s literature, spent the evening by her side, with a thousand questions in mind.

Beyond the event, this trip was an opportunity for the Montpellier author to treat herself to a few days in the city and feel the New York vibes again. She was not disappointed.

But for Cathy, this American adventure also had a huge impact on her writing career in France. Readers are now taking another look at his work. She is the writer from Montpellier who exported herself to the United States. A nice passport for the rest of his literary career.

What about Miami tomorrow?

It’s the little idea that’s been trotting around in Cathy’s head. Even if she participates in the next big Francophone Market on the Espace Rencontre des Auteurs Francophones, she will not be there in person. His first participation in the Miami Christmas Market in December had been successful. It was she who sold the most books that day. But the idea of coming to promote herself under the palm trees of Florida will make its way, Cathy is sure of it!

Meanwhile, Cathy has been selected for the Toronto Book Fair, next March … America is definitely opening its arms to the novelist.

Cathy Galière’s novels are available on Meeting of French-speaking Authors

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