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Helen Cullen

@wordsofhelen.bsky.social
1K followers 211 following 92 posts

Irish writer. Author of The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually and The Lost Letters of William Woolf. Repd. by Peter Straus, RCW (UK) and Kim Witherspoon, Inkwell (USA). www.helencullen.ie

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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
On 5th Sep, I'll be teaching a one-day Novel Writing Masterclass in #Winchester. Just one spot left - I'd love an aspiring novelist to fill it as I'm not planning courses in '27. If you're wrestling with a novel, or dreaming of starting one, maybe the spot is for you! helencullen.com/store/novel-...
helencullen.com
Novel Writing Masterclass - In Person, Winchester: 5th September 2026 — Helen Cullen
Published novelist, experienced creative writing teacher and industry expert, Helen Cullen offers unique one day novel writing masterclass in Winchester, Hampshire
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Calling all aspiring writers near Winchester! If you've always dreamed of writing and publishing a novel, I hope I can help. In the autumn I am hosting two masterclasses at The Arc, Winchester.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Calling all Narrative Non-Fiction Writers! As part of the Brunel Uni New Writers Programme, the Nero Book Award Winning author Sophie Elmhirst is offering a free, online creative writing workshop on 8th July! Exciting! Register here to join us: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/brunel-ne...
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Calling All Aspiring Writers!! I am delighted to share that the Brunel University online New Writers Programme is open now for registrations: a series of excellent creative writing workshops and publishing industry webinars. Free to register. All are welcome: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/brunel-ne...
eventbrite.co.uk
Brunel New Writers Programme
Join our free summer series of creative writing workshops and publishing webinars. Develop your writing craft, learn from acclaimed authors, and gain valuable insights into the publishing industry fro...
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Very exciting news! I am absolutely thrilled that I will be publishing my next novel, ISEULT, with the brilliant team at Hachette Ireland in February 2027. Thank you so much to my agent, the inimitable Peter Straus at RCW and to my editor Ciara Considine. Hurrah! 🥂#Iseult
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Calling all aspiring novelists!! If you have always dreamed of writing a novel, or have begun one, and would like a supportive workshop environment to help you turn the dream into a reality, I hope I can help. Join me in #Winchester from February. www.helencullen.ie
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Hello! If your NY Resolution is to start creative writing, I'm delighted to share that Brunel Uni is now offering short online courses from Feb: Fiction with myself, Bernardine Evaristo, Max Kinnings & Frazer Lee and poetry with Daljit Nagra - Check it out! shortcourses.brunel.ac.uk/product?cata...
shortcourses.brunel.ac.uk
Introduction to Fiction Writing
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Next Tuesday, 9th December, we have our final Brunel UniWriters Talking event where I will be interviewing Colin Barrett about his Nero Book Award winning debut novel Wild Houses. If you interested in Irish literature or writing craft, please register to join us: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brunel-wri...
eventbrite.co.uk
Brunel Writers Talking Series: Colin Barrett
Join us at Brunel for an evening with Colin Barrett, winner of the 2025 Nero Debut Fiction Prize, discussing his novel Wild Houses.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Exciting Event Klaxon: Our next Brunel Uni Writers Talking Event is Wed 19th with the Nero Book Gold Award winner Sophie Elmhirst. Register here to join us online for free and hear the behind the scenes scoop on her incredible book Maurice and Maralyn: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brunel-wri...
eventbrite.co.uk
Brunel Writers Talking Series: Sophie Elmhirst
Join us online as journalist Sophie Elmhirst discusses her award-winning book about 1970s couple’s extraordinary tale of survival at sea.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Just a few spots left on this fiction writing course for beginners that I’m hosting in Winchester! ⬇️⬇️
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
People of #Winchester! I will be teaching a 6 week Fiction Writing course for absolute beginners in The Arc in Oct - read all about it and book your spot here!: helencullen.com/store/fictio...
helencullen.com
Fiction Writing for Beginners - In Person, Winchester : October 2025 — Helen Cullen
This short course is perfect for anyone interested in writing fiction for the first time. Over six weeks, Helen will introduce you to the core elements of fiction writing that are the building blocks...
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Delighted to share that the Nero New Writers Prize in assoc. with Brunel Uni is now OPEN for entries from unpublished writers in Fiction, Non-Fiction and Children's Fiction. For full details visit nerobookawards.com/new-writers-... Good luck!
nerobookawards.com
NEW WRITERS PRIZE 2025 - Nero Book Awards
The Nero New Writers Prize in association with Brunel University of London seeks to uncover the best and brightest untapped writing talent and support them as they develop into the [...]
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
The next free Brunel Uni publishing webinar is Thurs 10th - Submitting your Work to Literary Journals with Lisa McInerney from The Stinging Fly, Josie Mitchell from @grantamag.bsky.social and Jamie Cameron from The London Magazine - please register here to join us: www.eventbrite.com/e/submitting...
eventbrite.com
Submitting to Literary Journals
Join our free webinar on submitting to literary journals with editors from *Stinging Fly*, *Wasafiri* & *The London Magazine*.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Huge thanks to Sam Copeland of RCW Literary Agency, Emma Bal of Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency and Laurie Robertson from PFD Literary Agency for an amazing Meet the Agents panel for Brunel University yesterday - and to everyone who came!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
On Thurs 10th, we have our 3rd Brunel Uni free publishing webinar: find out everything there is to know about submitting to literary journals. Join us to hear from Lisa McInerney (Stinging Fly), Sana Goyal @wasafirimag.bsky.social and Jamie Cameron @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social Register here⬇️
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
If you are submitting to literary agents, or would like to understand more what they do/how it all works, join us Tuesday 8th for the next free Brunel Uni's publishing webinar, Meet the Agents with folks from RCW, PFD and Madeleine Milburn agencies. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-a...
eventbrite.com
Meet the Agents
Join our free *Meet the Agents* webinar with top UK agents sharing tips on submissions, finding the right agent & industry insights.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Last Chance Siren: Our Meet the Editors webinar is this eve @7pm. Register for free to hear about publishing from amazing editors, Joelle Owusu of #MerkyBooks, @samjordison.bsky.social of @galleybeggars.bsky.social and Katie Bowden from @4thestatebooks.bsky.social: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-e...
eventbrite.com
Meet the Editors
Brunel University of London is hosting a series of writing workshops and publishing webinars for aspiring writers.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
On 25.06 ,we have our first free Brunel Uni online publishing webinar with editors Joelle Owusu from #MerkyBooks, @samjordison.bsky.social from @galleybeggars.bsky.social and Katie Bowden from @4thestatebooks.bsky.social Register here to demystify publishing: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-e...
eventbrite.com
Meet the Editors
Brunel University of London is hosting a series of writing workshops and publishing webinars for aspiring writers.
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Elaine Feeney @elainefeeney.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I will be giving a Short Story workshop on August 6th thanks to super organiser / writer / brilliant lecturer @wordsofhelen.bsky.social via Brunel University Sign up below 👇 All Welcome
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Exciting Announcement: Brunel Uni is hosting a series of free online creative writing workshops and publishing industry webinars this summer. Please check out this link to read more and register: www.eventbrite.com/cc/brunel-un...
eventbrite.com
Brunel University Workshops and Webinars
Brunel University of London is hosting a series of writing workshops and publishing webinars for aspiring writers.
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Loved interviewing James Dean Bradfield from #ManicStreetPreachers for today’s Sunday Times Magazine - I could have filled the whole magazine with his wit, wonder and wisdom but this must suffice! Talk about being a band for our times! www.thetimes.com/culture/musi...
thetimes.com
James Dean Bradfield: ‘I stopped drinking so there’s no partying’
The Manic Street Preacher on his love of Wales, eating Spam and liver casserole and dealing with the disappearance of Richey Edwards
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
I’m so looking forward to seeing my superhuman pal, @elainefeeney.bsky.social light up the @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social in London this Friday, May 23rd. This is such a special book - come join us and hear all about it from the magician herself!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I reviewed two very thought- provoking books for @irishtimes.com - first up Audition by Katie Kitamura: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
Audition by Katie Kitamura: This hotly anticipated novel is psychologically chilling
If you are drawn to novels that raise more questions than answers, this one is for you
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Blue Road - The Enda O’Brien story has made it to the UK. I saw it on Saturday and it is just incredible. Edna broke down doors at considerable personal cost so writers like me could walk through. Forever in her debt. Please go see it if you can. Comhairgdeas @sineadoshea.bsky.social 💙💙💙
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Sinead O'Shea @sineadoshea.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
We are very pleased that our UK release of Blue Road - The Edna O'Brien Story will expand to the following screens from April 25th. (tmrw) Really appreciate the word of mouth. Tickets here: www.modernfilms.com/blueroad
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
London Literati - @elainefeeney.bsky.social is launching her heart-stopping new novel in the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith on May 23rd! Come join us! @irishculturalcentr.bsky.social irishculturalcentre.co.uk/event/elaine...
irishculturalcentre.co.uk
Elaine Feeney: Let Me Go Mad My Own Way Launch - Irish Cultural Centre
Here at the Irish Cultural Centre, we invite you to check out Elaine Feeney: Let Me Go Mad My Own Way Launch. Book your tickets today!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
So so delighted to receive the forthcoming new novel from superstar @elainefeeney.bsky.social - will be starting immediately if not sooner as my soul could use a tonic and there is surely no better one to deliver it! Out in May from Harvill Secker to light up for your life!
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Mostly Books @mostly-books.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Join us on Friday 28th March as we welcome Fíona Scarlett to the shop to chat about her latest novel, May All Your Skies Be Blue, with fellow author @wordsofhelen.bsky.social. Tickets can be bought in the shop or online: mostly-books.co.uk/event/fiona-... @faberbooks.bsky.social #booksky
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
It was so interesting, but much harder than anticipated, to cast my votes as part of the panel to select the Top 100 Irish fiction works of the 21st century for @irishtimes.com Delighted to see Anna Burns and Milkman come out on top! : www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
The 100 best Irish books of the 21st century: No 25 to No 1
A panel of more than 60 experts (authors, critics, academics, festival curators and booksellers) select their favourite Irish novels and short stories of the years 2020-2025
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Very excited to share that at Brunel University of London we are further partnering with the Nero Book Awards to launch a new writing prize for unpublished writers - we will loads more news to share soon so keep a look out: nerobookawards.com/nero-new-wri...
nerobookawards.com
NERO NEW WRITERS PRIZE IN ASSOCIATION WITH BRUNEL UNIVERSITY OF LONDON - Nero Book Awards
Wednesday 5th March 2025 - The Nero New Writers Prize in association with Brunel University of London was announced this evening, at the 2024 Nero Book Awards ceremony [...]
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
A lovely part of my job at Brunel University of London is organising Brunel's Big Read! As proud partners of the Nero Book Awards, we were delighted to introduce Brunel's Big Read last year to celebrate the Nero winners. The whole campus votes to choose one category winner to become our Big Read!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Asked for a cough bottle in the chemist - apparently this is an “Irish thing” and I should have asked for cough syrup. Wait until she hears my flu meds otherwise is flat 7up with the fizz taken out. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
media.tenor.com
a green can of 7 up sits in the grass against a blue sky
ALT: a green can of 7 up sits in the grass against a blue sky
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
Greetings! Over the past few years I’ve been asked a few times about running online writing courses/workshops and I’m wondering if this is the year to do it! If you think you might be interested please register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Fiction Writing with Helen Cullen
If you are interested in attending online or in-person writing workshops or courses with Helen Cullen, please register your interest below. Thank you!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
It was a lot of fun interviewing Lola Kirke and Jemima Kirke for this week’s Relative Values in the Sunday Times Magazine. These are some strong, creative, talented women! www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-r...
thetimes.com
Jemima Kirke: ‘I regret the way I treated my sister’
The actress sisters Jemima and Lola Kirke on the TV show Girls, making country music and sibling rivalry
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
I was very happy to contribute to this feature for ⁦ @irishtimes.com : "Read this and weep: Books that made writers cry”.. I chose Tin Man by Sarah Winman. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
Read this and weep: Books that made writers cry
John Boyne, Edel Coffey, Ferdia Lennon, Sarah Gilmartin and a dozen other authors and critics on books that had a profound emotional effect on them
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
For pals in Edinburgh, I cannot recommend this event more!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
I was delighted to interview Welsh icon @bonnietyler.com for today’s @times Magazine - what a superstar! www.thetimes.com/magazines/th...
thetimes.com
Bonnie Tyler: ‘I don’t go around with bodyguards. I’m not Mariah Carey’
The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer on dinner with the Pope, buying her parents a house and selfies in Marks & Spencer
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Irish Literary Times @irishlittimes.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
Needles by Brian Bilston
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Some beautiful proofs for some fabulous sounding books coming from Phoenix Books next year - thank you so much @francescamain.bsky.social 📚📚
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Some lovely book post today from @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social - particularly looking forward to reading the new novel from Lisa Harding!
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@Galleybeggars @galleybeggars.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
A big hello to all new book-loving Bluesky-ers! (If you already follow us, (i) thank you, and (ii) a re-post would be very appreciated, to let people know we're here...) (In other UK news, there's no snow here. It's very sad.)
media.tenor.com
a white door with a hole in it that looks like a hole in a wall
ALT: a white door with a hole in it that looks like a hole in a wall
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Exciting Event: Our next Brunel University Writers Talking event is Wed 20th at 6pm: Our amazing Prof @bernardineevaristo.bsky.social will be talking to Paul Murray, winner of the Nero Book Awards, and author of The Bee Sting. Register for free to join us here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brunel-wri...
eventbrite.co.uk
Brunel Writers Talking Series: Paul Murray, Winner of the Nero Book Awards
Paul Murray, Winner of the Nero Book Awards Gold Prize, in conversation with Bernardine Evaristo, Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
A crack that lets the light in: so thrilled, relieved and grateful to have passed my PhD Viva at UEA yesterday! Huge thanks to my inspiring supervision team, Naomi Wood & Clare Connors and to my thoughtful, brilliant examiners Una Mannion and @tiffanya.bsky.social. It feels like a miracle! 📚
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Excellent work from @rickoshea.bsky.social here 📚
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
The Small Things Like These adaptation is extraordinary. One small thing - I was so moved to hear the voice of the late, great King of Radio, Larry Gogan in the opening sequence. Just one of many perfect details, but it got me! 💙
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 20/09/2024
So thrilled to be walking on to our beautiful campus at Brunel University London for another academic year. Our courses start in Oct so if you’ve been thinking about a Creative Writing MA (or degree) it might not be too late to join us! If you’ve any questions, ask away!
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 12/09/2024
My review of Christine Dwyer Hickey’s fantastic new novel for the Irish Times is live: 📚https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2024/09/07/our-london-lives-a-masterful-work-full-of-skilful-nuance-and-profound-truth/
irishtimes.com
Our London Lives: a masterful work full of skilful nuance and profound truth
Christine Dwyer Hickey’s 10th novel charts a tumultuous relationship between two young Irish outsiders struggling to survive in 1970s London
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 29/07/2024
Heartbroken to read about our beloved Edna O’Brien after being offline yesterday. Enda broke down the doors at great personal cost, creating hope for Irish women like me that we could maybe follow. Her intellect, her genius, her wit, her grace, her resilience- all staggering. 💙
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 10/06/2024
Online Event Klaxon: On 25.06 I will be joining @Uni_WUE for an author reading, lecture and Q &A. It is free and open to all so please do join us: www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/irish-studie... 📚📚
phil.uni-wuerzburg.de
Author Reading: Helen Cullen, "The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually" (2021)
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Helen Cullen @wordsofhelen.bsky.social · 03/05/2024
I reviewed the stunning new novel from Alba Arikha, Two Hours, for @IrishTimes books and it is astonishingly good. Already primed to be one of the books of the year and surely a huge prize contender: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
Two Hours by Alba Arikha: A literary masterpiece
Third novel from author of Major/Minor follows the story of Clara, a 16-year-old Parisienne forced to move to New York
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