Erin Zurkin, Nashville native and world traveler, recently published her first book in the Plus-Size series, Plus-Size in Paris. She’s sharing the juicy details and her plans for this summer with City Lifestyle readers.
Tell us about yourself.
"Buckle up because the story of who I am is an interesting one! I’m a writer, and now an author, a mother, a wife, and what I call a chronic expat but I’m also a forever Nashvillian no matter where I live in the world. There’s that great song by Brad Paisley called “Southern Comfort Zone.” I feel like I’ve been living that song for the past 16 years. I’m also a seeker of anything that brings light to my life and resonates within. On any given day that might be something completely different especially because I’ve lived in so many different cultures. But I’ve found no matter where you go in the world, people are inherently good, and life is meant to be real, happy, and joyful. I love deeply which means I also feel deeply the hard parts of life. It’s who I am, and I’m okay with it. I write from that place, and I’m proud of that."
Tell us about your book.
"Plus-Size in Paris is about being a fish out of water, and that water just happens to be the city of Paris. This story was inspired by my years living in Paris as a plus-size woman. It was hard living in Paris, not being the stereotypical and expected Parisienne woman. It’s an empowering story about staying true to yourself when everything around you feels contrary to who you are."
You’ve lived abroad for 16 years. What’s been your favorite location?
"That’s a tough question to answer because everywhere we’ve lived, we’ve lived there long enough to feel at “home” so each place has left an undeniable mark on our hearts. It’s like asking which child is your favorite. I’d have to say the two that impacted me most creatively are Paris, France, and Dublin, Ireland. Those two locations are on creative fire."
What was the spark of inspiration for the book?
"I tell the story of how the book came to be in the book’s Acknowledgments. It was a moment of Big Magic as Elizabeth Gilbert writes about in her book by the same name. The title came to me completely from a place of me needing connection, wanting to find a sense of belonging, and not just fitting in. Once I heard that phrase, “plus-size in Paris,” come across my mind, I knew I had to build upon it somehow, someway. Seven years later and a journey that could be its own book, here I am with the book published. It’s quite a story."
What’s next for you?
"I’m looking forward to our summer in Brentwood! I’m writing book two in THE PLUS-SIZE SERIES alongside all the fun book launch activities. I’m enjoying being present and feeling the love from all the readers for this book. There are so many readers that have gotten behind it and supported this story, and I’m forever grateful! I write to connect with readers so what’s next will be partially determined by their support. Then after some beach time, in mid-August, it’s back across the world to Seoul where we live now."
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