An Interview with Claire Dupuis

Before moving to the United States in July 2012, Claire graduated from the French University of Sorbonne Nouvelle with a bachelor’s in French modern literature and languages. While at the university, she studied under Cécile Ladjali, a well-known French author of more than thirty books published by Actes Sud. Cécile then inspired Claire to begin her writing journey and work in the publishing industry. As a mother of four children, she now lives in the small town of West Point, Virginia, where she enjoys spending time along the riverbanks and looking at the Victorian-style houses. If she is not reading or writing, Claire loves traveling and photography. She has been part of the Brandylane Publishers’ team since June 2023, when she joined as an editor and project manager; she recently took on the position of book publicist. You Have a Talent is her first children’s book.

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Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

Since primary school, I have always been on top of my class in reading and writing. For me, writing dissertations and stories has always been something easy and enjoyable, because I never lacked inspiration. On the other hand, I’ve always been really, really bad at maths and science, so I knew from my childhood that I would end up doing something in life that had to do with writing. As a matter of fact, up until university, I wanted to become a journalist until I met Cecile Ladjali, who was my professor of French romantic literature. She was so in love with books and passionate about writing that she somehow transmitted her passion to me. She herself is the author of more than thirty French novels, and she became one of my inspirations. I started reading her books as well as my own journey in writing. During that same time, another of my professors who was teaching medieval literature, made us write a story according to the medieval style. When she gave me back my work, she told me how impressed she was with my writing and insisted that I should pursue this “gift” that I had and continue writing. So finally, after coming to the US during the summer of 2012, I decided to pursue a career not only as an author, but also in the publishing industry. I wrote my first book, You Have a Talent, and I got hired as an editor and project manager, and later as a book publicist at a publishing house located in Richmond, VA.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Before breaking into the publishing industry, I worked for way too long as a manager at a McDonald’s restaurant. But I am grateful for this experience because it taught me management and how to relate with people, which serves me a lot now in my position as an editor and project manager.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I knew what the title of the book would be before I even wrote the story. I knew what the main topic of my book was from the beginning. I knew that it was about the fact that each one of us is special because of the special gift that has been placed inside us. And my goal was to emphasize on the importance of finding that gift (or “talent”) because this is what gives meaning to our lives. Many people are frustrated with their own lives because they simply don’t know what they’re supposed to do. And, sadly, they end up doing jobs and other things that have nothing to do with who they really are. So, the title, You Have a Talent, came naturally to my mind from the very beginning.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

When it was finally released, and showing up on influencers’ social media, bookstores’ shelves and websites, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. When I finally knew that people were ordering my book to read it to their children, it was very special. Also, as the in-house publicist of the publishing company that published my book, I am the one who creates and sends the email blast to hundreds of reviewers and booksellers every time a title is being released. So, when the release date of my book came, and I pushed the “send now” button, it was like I had finally given birth to something I had been working on for a long time.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

It actually has a soundtrack because we made a book trailer for it. It’s “All To You” by Hector Gabriel. I love it.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

The very heart of the message of the book: Never let anybody tell you that you are worthless or useless. God has put in each of us a special gift that the world needs. It’s our job to discover it and to serve it to the world.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

It think it was when I received the 2025 Christlit Book Award, and a wonderful review by Louise Jane, CEO of the Christlit Book Award. Here is the beginning of the review: “Without a doubt, this author has found their calling in creating children’s books, and this one is phenomenal! With their God-given talent, they are aiding readers in understanding that they, too, possess a talent from God, even if they haven’t discovered it yet, and I think that is truly extraordinary and incredibly heartwarming. Its beautifully written narrative emphasizes the idea that each of us is intentionally created by God, endowed with unique abilities meant to shine. In a world where children often grapple with self-doubt and comparison, this very special book encourages them to embrace their individuality and recognize that their worth is not defined by others’ opinions.”

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am currently helping an author through the production process of her beautiful memoir titled Nelle, An Irish Farm Girl, which will be released in early 2027. I am also working on my second children’s book, The Dress Maker.

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