I will set another novel in Prague, promised by Julie Caplin, loved by readers
We meet Julia Caplin, civic name Julia Wake, at the British Embassy in Prague. Honestly, it’s not common practice. However, it is enough to look at the rich readers’ discussions about her books and the leading positions that she occupies in the sales charts, so that one understands that if someone represents their homeland by example, it is this author. In addition, her agent friends with the British Ambassador to Prague Nick Archer and his wife.
This is an honor for you as an author.
Yippee. Plus, I found out a while ago that I had worked with Nick’s sister for eight years and didn’t even know they were siblings.
World is small.
It’s a take. So that one is constantly careful what one puts out of one’s mouth!
What do you think impresses women with your stories?
In English, they are called romantic escapes. They are actually such turning points, detachment from everyday reality. We all probably longed for that sometimes. We sometimes become so entangled in daily routines, stereotypes and responsibilities that we completely forget what the world can do for us. That’s why my heroines go to new places they don’t know at all. To remind themselves again.
Have you ever found yourself in such a situation?
Yes! I’m with my husband pretty soon. At the University. We just lived together for a long time and then around thirty I wanted to settle down, but he didn’t. So I got mad, packed my bags and went out into the world. Naples, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand … when I arrived in New Zealand, where my mother lives, I decided to stay there. But then my husband called me that it wasn’t possible, he flew to me, asked for my hand and we’ve been together ever since.
So you can actually be doubly happy for that experience. You got to know new places and still got a life partner.
Exactly. I learned a lot about myself on the road. I’ve never been that adventurous type. I didn’t expect to ever do something like that. And lo and behold.
Monika Zavřelová and Julie Caplin at the British Embassy in Prague (2022)
You also write books like Jules Wake. why?
I wrote under my civic name for a long time. Then my editor noticed the success of the Danish hygge in England and thought that a great book could be written about this style of living. She even had a name in her head: Cute Cafe in Copenhagen. It seemed absolutely horrible to me.
But you went for it anyway.
Yes, but just under a different name. Which, in the end, suited her, because it created a new identity for one specific kind of book. Which, in the end, I really enjoy writing. So we continued through Brooklyn, where I spent the holidays. Then I went to Paris, where I had a lot of sweets.
So you choose the places you write about according to your tastes?
Rather according to what might interest the readers. And it is also important that these places can be easily visited.
Where do you plan to plant the next book?
It will take place in France. She was originally supposed to be from Sweden, but in the end she was enchanted by Prague, so I decided to plant her story right here.
So you’re slowly searching here?
Yes, and it’s a little different than usual. I mostly travel alone, but now I have a lot of outlook on local life thanks to the people from Grada publishing house, which is amazing. Yesterday we walked around the city and tasted various specialties of Czech cuisine (which, by the way, I have never heard of). And it was great. Maybe carp? I wasn’t sure at all when I saw him in the restaurant menu … and you know what? I took it for the second time today!
“My loved ones most often remember me with a vacuum cleaner in one hand and a book in the other.”
Julie Caplin
Is there anything else you are interested in?
For example, yesterday I saw the puppets of Spejbl and Hurvínek, they explained the whole story to me. If I was just here on vacation, I would never know.
And did you meet your translator, the otherwise popular author Michaela Klevisová in the Czech Republic?
Unfortunately, I heard she’s a great writer. Maybe I’ll meet her next time. I think her books would be useful for English readers.
What is your favorite genre?
I read everything! My loved ones most often remember me with a vacuum cleaner in one hand and a book in the other. I honestly don’t need romance much, but maybe thrillers do, then various paranormal stories, sci-fi and the like.
Can you imagine writing such a genre?
You must have a really big idea as an author. You create a whole new world. I rather like to research ours.
Book cover House in Ireland (2022)
But it probably didn’t go well.
No, but I had collected a lot of material, so it didn’t matter so much. In lockdown, I worked on five books and was one of the happier ones. We have a house with a garden, the children returned home from the university for six months, the weather was nice. We all worked in our bedrooms and then had dinner together every day. Every day I realized how these are incredibly valuable moments that will not be repeated. Of course, they didn’t have that opportunity, and I’m sorry.
What about the conflict in Ukraine? Did it affect your writing? Didn’t you have to plan to plant one of your stories in Kiev?
No, but very ironically, three weeks before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, I received an offer to translate the books into Russian.
Was it a dilemma for you?
Yes, and in the end I decided to accede to the agreement. My books are read by ordinary Russians, and I have decided that it is very important that they get the most helpful and truthful view of the West that my books undoubtedly offer. But I can’t do anything from sales, I give all my money to help Ukraine.