Secrètes de Paris

Paris Authors in Bed with Agent
New York-based firm commits to naughty project

March 19, 2006; Paris, France - Authors Carolyn Heinze and Heather Stimmler-Hall announce that literary agent Rebecca Friedman of New York's Sterling Lord Literistic has committed to representing Naughty Paris: The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad in the City of Light. Targeted at women, Naughty Paris is a sassy work that surpasses the "romantic" Paris that has been exulted and dissected in guide after guide. Instead of offering up the dreamiest spots for French kissing, authors Heinze and Stimmler-Hall tell readers where to snag that Frenchman to kiss. Wanna strike a sexy pose with a dry martini? They give you the lowdown on Paris's sultriest bars. Feeling a little frisky? The authors reveal how to delve into the city's historic libertine culture in Paris's chicest fetish and echangiste clubs. In between, they point to where to find the most elegant lingerie, the naughtiest thigh-high boots, and the best hotels for igniting steamy trysts. They even uncover what to expect from those oh-so-irresistible - and extremely forward - French lovers.

Two self-described "good girls," Heinze and Stimmler-Hall provide information that's hot, but definitely not sleazy. The guide is delivered in a cheeky, playful tone designed to address both innocent ingénues and daring damsels alike. Accessible and fun, Naughty Paris helps women to choose the aventure they are most comfortable with, making Paris as memorable as the city deserves to be.

About the Authors

Carolyn Heinze is a freelance writer/editor with over 10 years of editorial experience. She writes about everything from politics, culture, and current events to business, travel, entertainment, fashion and beauty, technology...and even horses! Currently, Carolyn's Letters from Paris - which discuss everything from French food, French wine and French men to how to have a romance when neither of you speak each other's language - run regularly on her website at www.carolynheinze.com and The Women's Place. Born and raised in Canada, Carolyn contributes to magazines in North America and Europe from her current pied à terre in the City of Light.

Heather Stimmler-Hall is an American-born writer and guide living in France since 1995. She's the author of the Paris & Ile-de-France Adventure Guide (Hunter Publishing, 2004) and contributor to Fodor's Da Vinci Code Travel Companion, Fodor's Paris 2006, TimeOut Paris 2005, Fodor's Provence 2006, Avalon's Moon Metro Paris, 3rd Edition, and the Michelin Green Guide for the French Riviera. She contributes travel and lifestyle articles for publications such as ELLE, The London Times, France Magazine, the easyJet in-flight magazine, and Hemispheres. Heather's Secrets of Paris newsletter and "Off-the-Beaten-Tourist-Track" tours have been giving visitors a more in-depth Parisian experience for the past five years. After receiving countless "discreet inquiries" into the more risqué aspects of her adopted city, Heather decided it was time to write this book.

Sterling Lord Literistic combines a long tradition of literary excellence with a diverse and successful client list unparalleled in the industry. The agency represents a wide range of authors, including National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winners, New York Times bestsellers, literary and commercial novelists, politicians, journalists, scientists, and favorites in children's literature. The winning combination of established authors and newly emerging voices attests to the past achievement and future promise of the agency. Sterling Lord Literistic has deep roots in the world of publishing. In 1952, Sterling Lord founded his distinguished agency and counted such literary icons as Jack Kerouac and Ken Kesey among his early clients. Peter Matson established his firm in 1979 and rose to prominence representing such writers as Dee Brown and John Irving. In 1987, the two joined forces, creating the prestigious agency that continues to flourish today.

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Friedman rebecca@sll.com

Carolyn Heinze carolyn@carolynheinze.com

Heather Stimmler-Hall heather@secretsofparis.com

Visit the Naughty Paris Blog!

Brenna immortalizes her dessert.

Brenna (of Context Paris) and I went to dinner at Senderens the other night, for research purposes, of course. Our haute-cusine meal was just €115 each, including wine and dessert. Not bad considering it used to be about four times that back when it was Lucas Carton.

My Vanilla Millefeuille...the one that got away.

The downside to eating such amazing food is the frustration of not being able to finish everything. And it's not like the portions are supersized, just very good, and very rich. It's a shame to waste one crumb. This lovely Vanilla Millefeuille escaped only half-eaten, despite being "wafer thin" and light as a feather. Monty Pyhon fans know what was going through my head. After the meal we got three more nibbles: a chocolate truffle, a chocolate macaron, and sort of crumbly brittle candy. That macaron somehow fell into my purse and made a nice snack the day after.

Next time I'll wear my yoga pants with the elastic waistband.

Students protesting the changes in work contracts for "first job" employees take to the streets again this week (it's nice out, why go to class and bother with that degree?) with an estimated 40,000 students around the country in the streets.



Some press are referring to the "riots". Aside from blocking traffic and a skirmish between police and students who wouldn't leave the university building they were occupying (about 100 students were tear-gassed and, according to the local news, arrested) all is "business as usual" in Paris. There was also, today, a protest against the university blockade by students who were angry that they were missing class. Bravo!



In the ten years I've been in France, I've never seen any violent marches. As you can see here, students and passers-by are just hanging out, watching the noisy procession go by. They're actually fun to watch the first few times. Then they get a bit boring. Same signs, same chanting, same banging drums, same trail of garbage behind them...vive la France! Now get back to class, little hooligans!