Jay Swanson
Jay Swanson is an American creator and writer in Paris, sharing neighborhood discoveries, coffee stops, and life abroad through his videos, Paris in My Pocket guide, memoirs, and podcast.
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Latest
Jay’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Travel guide
Book
Book
PodcastOverview
- Based in
- Paris, France
- Work
- Travel video creator, author, guide creator, and podcast host
- Daily vlogging
- Started in 2016 and continued for over three years
- Paris chapter
- Returned in 2017 after an earlier stay in 2012
- Citizenship
- Became a French citizen in 2024
- Finding his audience
- Practical Paris videos grew into a guide and a community supported through Patreon
Mini bio
How it started.
Before Paris became his subject, Jay was writing science fiction and fantasy. In 2010 he set himself the challenge of writing and publishing one book a year for ten years. His archive says he wrote 11 and published nine, including the illustrated, real-time fantasy journal Into the Nanten.
Finding his footing.
He began daily vlogging in 2016, then returned to Paris in 2017 after an earlier stay in 2012. His own account describes an uncertain first year, bankruptcy back in the United States, and work as a tour guide, English teacher, translator, and voice actor while he kept making videos.
The Paris fans came for.
The practical videos began with everyday questions, such as how to use the metro or order in a restaurant. As viewers turned to him for advice and Patreon became his main income, helping people enjoy Paris became central to his work. Paris in My Pocket now brings together his team’s recommendations for food, drink, and exploring the city.
More than a travel guide.
His memoir Sea of the Unknown tells the story of getting to Paris. The 2026 follow-up, Desert of the New, explores what it took to stay and rebuild. Garage Monologues carries the personal side into conversations with friends and fellow immigrants. He also became a French citizen in 2024, sharing the ceremony with viewers.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2026Desert of the New: Spiraling Into Sanity in the City of LightAuthor
- 2020Sea of the UnknownAuthor
Video and podcast
- 2026Garage Monologues, season 4Host
- 202648 Hours in SingaporeCreator
- 2024My French Citizenship CeremonyCreator
Quotes
I just want to make something that will endure.Jay Swanson, The Archives
Reflecting on returning to the fantasy world he spent a decade creating, without the old pressure to keep publishing.
Trivia
- Garage Monologues takes its name from the talks to camera he recorded in his parents’ garage when he began daily vlogging.
- He posted a photo every day for about 11 years, according to his official contact page.
- His dog Cooper is a Boston Terrier and often appears alongside him in his Paris life.
- Into the Nanten let readers follow an illustrated fictional journal through entries published in real time.
Find Jay
Follow Jay for Paris discoveries, new videos, and the stories behind them.
Are you Jay Swanson?
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