Jean-Luc Coatalem, a former winner of the Deux Magots literary prize, recalls his early days in Paris, where he lived in the 14th arrondissement and spent time at places like Saint-Germain-des-Prés, La Hune, and the Deux Magots café. He describes the Deux Magots as a vibrant and youthful spot that held special meaning for him during his time in the city. Influenced by writers like Gilles Lapouge, he later joined the prize's jury in 2017 through a connection with Jean-Paul Caracalla, one of the prize's presidents. The Deux Magots prize, created in 1933, has seen many changes in its jury over the years. After Jean-Paul Caracalla stepped down in 2018, his successor was Étienne de Montety. Following Caracalla’s death in 2019, his daughter Laurence joined the jury. The group has continued to evolve, adding members like Isabelle Carré in 2022, Clara Dupont-Monod and Abel Quentin for the 90th anniversary in 2023, and Jessica Nelson and Nicolas Carreau in 2024. Today, the jury includes nine members: Laurence Caracalla, Nicolas Carreau, Jean-Luc Coatalem, Pauline Dreyfus, Clara Dupont-Monod, Jessica Nelson, Marianne Payot, and Abel Quentin. Jean-Luc Coatalem describes the reading process for the Deux Magots prize as a mix of technical evaluation and emotional connection to the text. He highlights the importance of being surprised by a book and the need for a clear, compelling narrative. He also notes that the prize is not meant to reward authors with multiple awards, but to spotlight books that might otherwise be overlooked. As a juror, Jean-Luc Coatalem has championed several books that went on to win the prize, though not all of his personal favorites have been selected. He acknowledges that the process involves more than just literary quality—it also considers an author's existing recognition and the landscape of other literary awards. He remains open to future opportunities and continues to engage with the evolving role of the jury. Jean-Luc Coatalem also reflects on his own writing, which often explores themes of travel and distant lands. He compares the Deux Magots prize to a small green ship navigating the Germano-Pratine sea, with the jury as the crew and Étienne de Montety as the commander. His novel, Tête brûlée, is part of the 2026 literary launch, a year marked by a large number of new releases. He acknowledges the challenge of standing out in such a competitive market.