Some call writing an "art". I call writing "close to my heart". (Photo of previous books; the one—top, center—is my most recent. Another, fictional book—about a French pear—does not appear here….)
Chers Amis et Amies,
After three years of sitting on the French fence, I have finally fallen off… and published a book!
It did take prayer—and a push—after beaucoup de "bambivalence" (bambivalence—so as to go with "beaucoup"… beaucoup bambivalence, to accomplish this. See how complicated I can make things when "a lot of ambivalence" might've done the trick?).
Speaking of tricks, the next hurdle (after that French fence hurdle) will be to sell my book. Without the assurance and the support of une grande maison d'édition, I am on my own this time. And that can be both an exciting and a frightening thing, with oodles and French poodles of self-doubt involved.
This is where gumption must come in, in great Gallic gallons. So I'm putting her out there today, this latest book baby of mine—and I am counting on you to help me! You will help me, won't you? If I have been any help to you, if you have learned a French word… or two… then this is the time to come to my rescue (I guess that sounded a bit manipulative and pushy, non? Mea culpa, I'm so sorry, but I do not have a pricey promotions rep to sell this book for me!).
In a French nutshell, or en un mot—make that in 5 points, here are reasons why you will want to my book, illico presto!:
French Word-A-Day: Summer 2009 Stories….
- Makes an educational and fun gift! Perfect for a Francophile, an Armchair Traveler, a Parent, a Dog lover… or a Publishing house looking for a new book series (the second book is almost done… and the third has just begun…)!
- Talk about a vocabulary resource! There are hundreds of French words, in context, to help you lock on to the language…
- Full page photos almost every time you turn a page!
- Bonus (good through Dec. 1st): with your book purchase, you will get one membership to Cinéma Vérité: good for yourself… or for a friend (another great gift idea!). Forward me your sales receipt and let me know which email address to sign up for the CV site.)
- Recipes from French family and friends.
Note: In keeping with the subject (memoir) of my previously published books, these are the collected story archives from posts that appeared in the newsletter/web editions of French Word-A-Day. The format is similar to the Simon & Schuster edition, wherein:
Today, right now, is the time to order. Purchase a copy of French Word-A-Day: Summer 2009 Stories for yourself or for a friend or family member. And thank you so much for your fidélité, for pushing me off the French fence, and for helping me to find my way back to book publishing. I could not have written these stories without you!
Click here to preview the first 15 pages of my book and to order!
Amicalement,
Kristin
Questions or comments about this latest book? Go ahead and fire 'em off here (in the comments box only, merci beaucoup). I look forward to answering!
Thank you all for your support, which I am holding on to at this moment… just like the little "feet" and the last leaves on this vine climber.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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Congratulations Kristin! It’s time to update your Wikipedia entry, don’t you think?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Espinasse
Dear Kristin,
I just bought your book, despite the fact I could not get the introductory 20% off, using the word CELEBRATE.
Ca ne fait rien, because I have so enjoyed my daily fix of French word-a-day over the years, and thank you for having given your fans an entire book. Joyeux Noel, Walda Besthoff, New Orleans
… and the spark was within her, and she reached out to grasp it and was swirled and whirled, taken high and low .. enlightened and brutalized simultaneously .. crafted by events she never thought could emerge – but she held on and massaged it and whipped it and now sits in the glory of her own creation. She IS a writer who now basks in the ultimate act of courage .. sharing herself with others. Thank You, Kristin, and most sincere congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment. Yes!
Je suis tres heureux! I have now added another Kristin Espinasse to my library. I agree with so many others, you are an inspiration and a joy, and I’m particularly impressed with the bravery you’ve found. I’ll be fascinated to understand how you published this volume. Keep up the incredibly good work!
Your new book is flying off the shelves! I am looking forward to sharing it with others – at present I tell friends about the French Word-a-Day, so it will be great to have it to hand as evidence!
My order no: 806972
Best wishes from a very cold Ecosse.
Douglas: I had a hunch that it was you who created this Wikipedia entry. Am I correct?… In any case: merci beaucoup! I was so excited to see it. Wait until my parents find out…
Walda, Bill, Claudia, Fiona: I am so tickled by your words. What a way to end this day, but not before sending Fiona her link (thanks for the order number! Keep warm up there in Ecosse 🙂
Hi Kristin ~
I strongly second Michael Armstrong’s suggestion that you consider a book of your photographs. (I changed that from “photos” because they’re much more than just photos — you have developed a real talent!) I’m going now to order a copy of your new book for Angela for Christmas.
Cordialement ~ Bob Fowler
Hi Kristin. Your photos are so enjoyable as is everything you write in FWAD. I eagerly await delivery of my copy of your new book. My order number is 808586 and look forward to the CV bonus as icing on the cake!
You are correct Kristin. It’s long overdue. I’ve been working in brutal weather conditions recently, so it’s good way to unwind.
Félicitations, Kristin! I’m excited to have not only your word stories, but a collection of your wonderful photographs. I, too, found your blog through your last FWAD book. I hope that by the time I finally make it to your part of France I’ll speak like, well, not a native but something more than a tourist with a hopeless Midwest accent.
I’m also looking forward to a future photography book from you. Now I’m off to buy my copy.
Hi Kristin,
I just ordered 2 books – one for me and one for my French teacher. I have 3 other books of yours. Keep up the good work and I agree that a photography book should be in your future.
Looking forward to Cinéma Vérité.
It is 11:38pm Dec 1st, here in Connecticut and the temperature is 38F with an almost full moon.
Kristi:
Taking a mini-break from grading, I peaked at FWAD thinking I would get Monday’s entry, but lo and behold! a mystery Tuesday entry. No mystery, indeed – just all good news. Congrats on the self-publishing. This is the beauty of the Internet, n’est-ce pas?
If you would like a recipe selection for another publication, let me know. Domaine Rouge-Bleu and cranberries are a match made, if not in heaven, then definitely in my kitchen. 🙂
All the best, from a sunny (!) Pacific Northwest –
Chere Kristin,
Bravo et feleicatations!! J’ai commande 3 livres pour moi et deux de mes soeurs (comme cadeaux d’anniversaire!). Tu m’inspire a tous les jours…grand merci pour les belle histoires et tes mots de sagesse! You are a treasure that I have unearthed and I am anxious to share my “find” with others. Continue ton bon travail!! 10:00PM in Alberta -5C
Leonie
Bob: so good to know Angela is getting this book for Christmas. Merci!
Douglas: Aha! C’était vous! Well then thank you very much… for taking one year off my age (I was born in 1967) But I really wish you’d put back in “French” author. That was just too cool. (Although Jean-Marc gave me lots of French flak: you can’t possibly be a French author and still say “le” soupe!). I shall never forget that soup is feminine. Here’s wishing you better weather/working conditions.
CV links are on the way to those of you who purchased books on DEC 1st and who sent in your order numbers. Thanks again!
Kristine
If you knew at noon about the problem, why did you not change your homepage you sent out early in the morning? And if the discount applied only to purchases over $49.95 why didn’t you tell people? We ordered 2 books separately at 11:02 pm so that my wife could have one and we could have one sent to her school library, but would have had both sent to our home if we would have known of this difference. Please be honest with your readers as soon as you know there is a problem. Don’t say you are sorry and do nothing from that point foreword.
Glenn
Posted by: carol | Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 01:02 PM
a little glitch? When I tried to write CELEBRATE, as described above and buy your book, the site said I couldn’t use the code because I wasn’t the author. 🙁
Posted by: carol | Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 01:10 PM
I got the same error as Carol…
Posted by: Bill in St. Paul | Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Carol, thank you for trying to buy my book and for the “glitch” report. Yikes! I saw the 20 percent discount, I realize now, on my personal sign-in page (over at the publisher’s site), that the discount is only available to authors.
I am terribly sorry about this.
Posted by: Kristin | Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 01:17 PM
The 20% discount is applied toward product totals of more than $39.95, £21.95, €31.95, or AUD $49.95 for Blurb books made by you. The code did not work for one copy of the book as it was not more than $39.95……
Posted by: meredith | Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Dear Glenn,
I did not react dishonestly. I am terribly sorry that you and others did not receive the discount. I have contacted Blurb several times, in distress, and done the best I could, under the circumstances.
I did update my site, immediately, by taking down the “20 percent” note. And in today’s newsletter, I am announcing the misunderstanding.
Leonie,
Thank you so much for ordering those books.
Glenn, and merci beaucoup, for the books that you ordered. I appreciate your thinking of the school library!
Congratulations, Kristin, what a great idea to do this! I have ordered, order # 810606…now the hard part…keep or give as a gift?? 🙂 Keep up the great work! Diane in California (where it is still Dec 1) 🙂
Congratulations Kristin. I just ordered mine and look forward to spending time with it. Order # 810691
Congratulations Kristin! I look so forward to reading your book. I do have a tip for marketing your book. There is this wonderful book called 1001 ways to market your book by John Kremer. This book has been invaluable to me when I started my publishing company. I wish you brilliant success.
Bonjour! Here is my order number #810397..so looking forward to CV!
Leonie
Salut Kristin, well I’m glad to see I wasn’t the only one buying your book Kristin, despite the problems. I bought two, one for a gift to my lovely sister in law and one for ourselves. I am looking forward to the Cinema Verite. One is enough. My order numbers were 807889 and 807896.
Merci de Minneapolis!
Ah . . you are definitely a rising star – speeches, books in print – what next, a movie, TV documentary — congratulations. You truly deserve all of it. Hang in, keep it up, stay strong, as we runners like to say. There are a lot of use pulling for you and wishing you the best. Bonne chance . . .
Arnold . . Fallbrook, San Diego
Hurrah and Vive Kristin! I just bought your book and hope that I will have it in time for you to autograph it for me when you are in Phoenix! I look forward to seeing you and congratulating you in person with a big Arizona hug!
am honored to help sell your book!
order No: 831754
CV should go as a gift from me to: jvandnbg@yahoo.com
merci infiniment,
nadine, SF
Thank you for these cheerful and encouraging notes, which make all the difference.
Arnold: thanks for pulling for me; meantime, I have not forgotten your lively story and I look forward to posting it.
Valarie: thanks for the book recommendation for 1001 ways to market your book! I’ll check it out — and will need all the help I can get 🙂
Kristin, just received this notice and haven’t checked out your book, but certainly will. But is interesting that the day you put out this notice I was actually daydreaming and perusing my French calendar. I was wondering if you were going to put out another book soon. And then,
I was thinking, that I would absolutely adore a “French Word A Day Calendar” with your wonderful photos! What do you think???
Kristin,
It’s Andi again. My order number was: 806850. My friend’s name for adding to the Cinéma Vérité site is Audrey Nelson. Her e-address is:
audrey.nelson@target.com
Thanks and good luck with your new book.
Andi
Hi Kristin
Congratulations, it looks like a great book, I have just ordered it and can’t wait to receive it!
I hope you sell heaps.
Happy Christmas to all of you, I hope you have a fantastic break.
xxx Chris