A nice place to read or write… bonne lecture! Today we talk about publishing one's blog posts… in book form! Read on!
bonne lecture (bohn-lek-toor) n.f.
: happy reading!
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Why on earth would anyone pay for a book that they have read for free, on-line?
Now this is a timely question! Indeed, these days publishers resist blog-to-book projects (they are relying, in part, on the blogger's readers to figure into the targeted audience—and they are betting that such readers, no matter how faithful, will not be interested in buying what they have already read).
The Cyberwriter's Plight Continues…
Certain readers, too, seem to have a bone to pick with bloggers who have the audacity to try to repackage and to resell their work. I often check out the reader comments at Amazon, on blogs that have been made into books (or "blooks"). It is always disheartening to read such a call to arms as: "Don't waste your money! You can read all of these stories for free, on-line!" It sometimes seems as though they (the readers) were against us: the very writers whose stories they enjoy!
Why, I wonder, shouldn't a writer (or blogger if you prefer…) collect their stories and offer them via another, or non-cyber, medium: in paperback form? Are we "bloggers" some sort of second-class "writerzens" because we have first offered our work here for free?
Meantime…
Here are two or three examples of why it isn't, after all, insane, to purchase a book of stories that have already appeared before the eyes of many:
1) It is a reader-writer tradition! The writers of yesteryear saw their works serialized in newspapers or journals… before the stories were collected in book form, to go on to sell as classics! Daudet's Lettres de Mon Moulin comes to mind. Though I would not begin to compare my writing to that of The Masters, I know in my heart there is a place for these classic "stories of French life" to linger, beyond cyberspace…
2) And what about comparing a story to a song?! How many songs are just that, les petites histoires! And yet we listen to the stories over and over. Songwriters would have put down their pencils eons ago, had listeners refused to "revisit" their soulful ballads. Most of us listen to a heartening song dozens of times! And then we end up buying the album.
3) Or take the example of the television series. As I stroll down the aisle at our mega supermarket, I see that French women are clamoring to buy a multi-volume set of Desperate Housewives (this, after they bought the Beverly Hills, 90210 series, when it finally came to France, years ago and Californication, after that). It didn't seem to matter that the viewers had recently seen the episodes… they wanted a copy for their video library!
Though my book "Words in a French Life," a compilation of stories that have appeared on this blog—before being published by Simon & Schuster—received modest sales (to date, it has sold nearly 50,000 copies—not the blockbuster millions-of-copies—but nothing to shake a finger at, either), the publisher was willing to bet that a "Volume Two" would not do so well.
Perhaps. But should this stop me from publishing more books in the series? That is the question. Minus the backing of a big publishing house with a big PR team, I'm going ahead with my dream. And I am betting that a larger audience awaits, in addition to this blog. It may take time to reach these readers, but when I do, I cannot wait to wish them "bonne lecture!" and to thank them for finding me. All this jumping up and down and frantically waving my hands may just get their attention, after all.
And, psst, psst! I'm over here!
***
For those of you who are just now tuning in, today marks Day 8 of a self-imposed "Publish a Book in 21 Days" challenge. Do you think I will make it? With your help I know I will! Here, now, are the next two stories that I'll need your help editing.
LE BETON: My son's mohawk… and career choices…
CROTTE: A Frenchwoman's dirty trick
***
I didn't mean to rant today, just wanted to share some behind-the-scenes issues that pop up in one's writing life: specifically, the frustration in encountering roadblocks to publishing one's stories. The good news is that the publishing world is changing, and there are more and more opportunities for everyone: both readers and writers. And these are exciting times! To leave a comment about this post or this writing project, click here.
The end of another writing day… sometime in 2004
Meantime, my book director (Hi, Mom!) and I are scrambling for an author photo for the back cover. Stay with me now… for I know the proposed picture may be a tad informal (is it the toads on those pajamas pants? or the "toadally cool" quotes, below the bug-eye frogs?) This aside, I hope to sell you on this photo for three reasons: One, it is in theme with the book (in which a desert rat struggles to adapt to a foreign culture—no offence to fellow desert rats… who may or may not wear frog pj's), Two, the writer's eyes are always "looking to" and imagining the next story, and Three, this photo was taken during the period in which the stories in the book were written. My son snapped the image, after he and his sister had won the most recent match of "Tickle to Death a Marathon Writer". They always knew how to keep me grounded, literally, when my sky-high writing goals began to get carried away.
Or do you prefer a more "brushed" image (at least my hair got brushed, in this one). The good thing about a recent photo (this is from June 2011) is that it makes for less embarrassment during book readings (readers actually recognize you!). I once did a meetup in which a reader arrived… only to ask me where I was…. my answer was to offer my hand (here I am!, nice to meet you)! The woman was a little taken aback; she seemed to be looking for someone else… maybe she was, after all… we writers are so oversensitive! During yet another meetup, I had a similar mistaken-identity moment, only in the positive sense: "oh, so you're the word-a-day blogger… I thought you were much older!" Your comments are welcome here, in the comments box.
And then there's the photo from I recently posted, here. Voilà.
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Bonjour,
Thank you for getting my morning off to a good start three times a week. I really enjoy your site.
Both photos are nice but is there even a better one waiting to be captured? The color image is close but it might have worked better if you would have worn a darker colored blouse when you stood in front of the light colored wall. The blown out sky bothers me too. Finally I don’t like the way your hands are cut out of the shot.
I know that there are a lot of photographers, myself included, that would love to take your portrait as a thank you for what you are doing.
Amiicalement,
Denis
Is there any way you can use both photos?
Janet, and those who like the felt hat photo, maybe I can try to get another shot. Well see if theres time!
For what it’s worth, I bought your book when it first came out BECAUSE I have enjoyed your newsletter so much! I very much look forward to more…
Bonjour Kristin,
I love the recent photo. It evokes a sense of life, vitality, and this beautiful clear image of you. I also feel the energy of your place
and France, almost like standing beside you.
The b/w photo has a retro feel, of an old photo album, a cherished moment in time.
Your Mom loves the photo with the hat and fall leaves. Seems like a message to follow you. You are asking or rather, inviting us passage on a journey, to follow you.
Thank you for sharing your gift. Your spirit is generous and wise.
Misspelling: embarrassement.
If meant to be English, it should be spelled embarrassment.
If meant to be French, it should be spelled embarras and italicized.
The person who criticized pulling blog posts into a book format probably considers herself a both a pragmatist” and good shopper. But what she’s missing is the soul of a book. The feel. The weight. The delight of escaping cyberspace for a while. The quiet a good book affords. And there is one other thing…gathering our past writing—blog posts or otherwise—into a book is an opportunity to revisit the writing and improve it. A beautiful process.
Hi Kristin,
Like you I am a blogger in the south of France, but in Ariege in Midi Pyrenees. I love your blog, not least because you capture the essence of a life so different from mine [no French husband, no vines and rather more rainfall!]. I have been particularly moved by the bravery of your recent postings. You write ‘de la coeur’ and it has been a privilege to be a distant part of your world. Your current project is an inspiration to all us writers! Bien fait! I think that the second photo says more about your life; the black and white one says more about your dreams. Bon chance. I know that you will do it! Amicalement, Lola V
Use the color photo on the cover of the book and,there`s room for the text. Use the black and white photo on the back.
First, thank you for sharing your journey. I would love to publish a book from my blog but I understand that it’s not only a shot in the dark but a whole in one shot in the dark.
The more polished picture, IMHO, is the better picture to express what you are doing. You are still casual but you look more French then American, showing that you are assimilating but you are still “you”. The PJ picture is too casual and hard to take you serious as an accomplished writer, let alone on that lives in France.
That being said, if I looked that good in my PJ’s I might put that picture up.
Dear Kristin,
I love your black and white photo best. You look very calm and serene, perfect for this book that you are creating.
I’ve enjoyed your blog for several years now. You have inspired many people by following your heart and dreams.
Oh gosh…I agree with your mom about the fedora picture in the breezeway, but it will be too small on the book. While I love the PJ shot, I must finally chose the color shot of you standing outdoors in your vineyard.
I like all of the photos, but the recent one with the fedora is priceless!
I like the B&W shot the best(with your p.j.s on?) but I agree with you in that for recognizable issues the brushed one I think is best.
DEFINATELY the B/W photo, much more informal and in touch with the readers, the colour one is good but too posed and formal, and besides its about YOU not the field behing etc. The B/W says much more…a mom who writes and doesnt take herself too seriously and shows you have the confidence to allow an informal photo to be seen by loads more that 50,000 people. Best of luck with the publishers!
Black and White, its also very COOL
Yes, please do follow your dream and go for Vol. 2. Some things I only want to read online, or see just once on TV or at the movies, or hear just once on a radio, but for special things, things for the “bonne lecture,” I want a book in my hand.
I wish you bon chance, Kristin.
I vote for the second, “brushed” image photo.
I see nothing wrong with taking blog entries and putting them together into a book. There’s something about holding a book in one’s hand, leafing through the pages, reading certain parts, holding the book close to one’s heart. Technology aside, what’s more comforting than that? Ignore the disgruntled blog readers. How miserly can one get? Really.
(1) No strong opinion on photo; don’t your mother and husband have the sagest input?
(2) There is no substitute for the real paper-and-pages book: not Kindle, not clicking on a site. Previously-blogged stories are perfect for the paper book — allows your reader to sit out in the sun, holding, feeling the stories, flipping back and forth to the best, most appealing vignettes for that day, that moment.
Hi Kristin—I don’t know if you already are aware of this–with all the discussions going on and no one having mentioned it, maybe not.
Paulo Coelho, one of our most writers has published his writings/Books online—free!!!
He says that he loves his readers/fans/friends and is sure that they, if they like what they have read–WILL buy the actual Book. You don’t need any bigger endorsement than this. If a person of his stature and with the kind of following he has can do it—so can we. His latest Book coming out/has come out is ‘Aleph’ and by the way he also has a home in France.
Just be confident and go ahead.
I(like so many others,who have already written to you)will definately buy your book.
The photographs are beautiful.
The best suggestion(you have already got one of the same)is–colour on the front cover and black and white on the back cover.
All the best.
Take care.
Love, Rina.
I like the pj photo. It just resonates…And paper books are not the same as online reading 🙂
How timely your post is for me. I am working on editing my blog that I wrote recently while living in Grenoble, France. When I have had enough of sitting at the computer, I ask myself if I am wasting my time. Your post is encouragement for me to “keep on keeping on” and see what happens. Thank you so much!
A friend of mine sent me your “Words in a French Life” book after I had been a subscriber to your blog for a while. I love just opening it randomly and reading an entry. For me, I enjoy it so much that I don’t care if I’ve read it before. Bonne Chance!
This is so inspiring, Hedda. Thank you for sharing your sisters example! Im at Amazon, now, enjoying the write up — Im impressed by all the customer comments. Excellent!
Fedora photo… can it be cropped without being reshot to provide a closeup?
Both are lovely portraits of you–you are very photogenic. However, the color photo has a distracting wall behind you which aligns w your eyes and follows the contour of your shoulders…see what I mean? I think it makes the photograph awkward and would be even more evident on a book cover. If you have an opportunity to reshoot in a similar local setting, that might be your best choice. Otherwise, the black/white is charming.
Thanks for catching that, Sharon. On my way to fix the embarrassement 😉
All edits are helpful and appreciated!
Love the black and white–it’s simply stunning (resemblance of Grace Kelly?)and relaxed at the same time. The additional tidbit that your son took the photo–priceless.
THanks, Nigel, and Mom is going to be so psyched when she sees your blog (Im psyched at seeing the header, with that wonderful motobecane!!!:
http://www.frenchsketchbook.com/
Oh, gosh, as Dad says (I must get that from him), I have got to get back to work now!! No more distractions (except dinner-making, for the family–time to do that now…)
Of the three photos, I prefer the one of you wearing the fedora. The black and white one, while an excellent photo, does not chime with you living in Provence. It could be anywhere.
On the topic of publishing blooks: while continuing with your blog, you should now start to move on with your writing and consider writing a novel. You must now have a stack of material about the interesting characters that you have met. Weave them into a book. Or, perhaps, you could write a book about the travails of self-publishing.
I love the pj photo with the books in the background. Very real and unstaged with a feel for your love of books. I also encourage you on the publishing venture. E-books are convenient but I dread a world where people have lost the love of holding a real printed-on-paper book in their hands. I have a Kindle–it’s handy for travelling, but it will never replace the printed books in my library. And, yes, I will definitely buy your book!
I prefer the June 2011 photo for a book jacket. The setting captures your environment and you are stunning! The “fedora” and bulky clothes cover you up too much. The B&W is a great photo, but not for a book jacket.
RB, thats an awfully big compliment (if Ive read correctly)! But I think Francophiles will appreciate France on the cover 🙂
Thank you for turning your blog posts into a book. Now I have a way to share your charming work with friends and family. A good book makes a welcome gift. I am quite happy to pay for content I have already read–several times over, in fact.
I love the June 2011 photo the best for a book cover too. The other two are very nice photos, but maybe for inside the book (you could show them with some family photos too). This way readers can see where you are and enjoy France with you. Just a thought…
Good luck!
Good for you going blog to book — it’s a great idea. The publishing world is totally changing. I don’t think either photo makes a good back cover as they are, but both of them are good if you are going to crop it to only the author’s head. The author is the only one I want to see, not the walls or pajamas or fields. I want to see who is writing to me.
I love both of the photos Kristin! But the black & white is outstanding. Please use it. It looks like you are working, and looking toward the future — you look cute & comfortable.
The color photo looks great — it is more a “now” statement.
Whatever, I will buy and read any of your books. You should sell your stories—–why not?
Good luck & be well!
Oh no, I just realized, after reading Rinas comment (on using color on the front cover) that Ive misread R Bs comment … so one author photo it is! …. padding out of my office now… on my way to eat that dinner thats been getting cold on the stove.
Both are just wonderful! Your photogenicity is absolutely enviable, darn you! However, I do love the jammies shot best. 🙂
You go, girl!
Kristin,
I would definitely go with the June 2011 photo for the back cover: it has a nice country backgrond: that’s everything is about; I like your white shirt (this is my favorite color) and also if you need to put some text, you can do it on the left side too. Don’t worry that somebody won’t recognize you. We, women, look different every day any way. And that man was right: you really look much younger than your age, which is a beautiful thing.
Can you include some more pictures in the book? That, in the hat, is very impressive!
As for the front cover, I would make your name on the bottom more standing out by changing the color of the letters to a lighter one.
Don’t forget about the font face ans size of the book text: it should not be too fancy, but easy readable.
Amicalement,
Olga.
Both pictures are nice, but I love the black and white one. It would be a great authors photo for the back of your book.
I prefer the June 2011 photo, brushed hair, elegance, subtle smile and all.
Once again, I would like to vote for the blossoming cherry tree in front of the church in Provence (this is my attempt to get Kristi to post that photo.) It is blossoming and that goes with the title BLOSSOMING IN PROVENCE.
I think the photo should be inset in a frame which is placed on an easel. This would tie into painting scenes and characters in France.
The background would be a solid color – perhaps a burgundy tone. Above this image is the title in big print BLOSSOMING IN PROVENCE, and below this image is your name in big print KRISTIN ESPINASSE. The entire back cover is covered with the photo of you standing in front of the arch in your fedora.
I am a person who completely loves the art of a book cover, whether it be a painting or a photograph. I spend many moments each day subconsciously inhaling all of the book covers and back covers that surround me throughout as I wander around my home each day.
I am the proud owner of a book Kristi has written and never published “Wish, Prune, Pray”. Each day the title calls to my heart and the cover photo makes my heart sigh to be in that exact spot in her vineyard.
I am sure Kristi will fire me as DIRECTOR now I have pushed her around with my comments.
XOXO
JULES
Another voice here for the black and white photo. It shows a sensitive writer in a pensive mood with lots of books in the background. I see good, positive information in that picture.
Thank you Angela, and all who have sent in similar confirmations that you are happy to buy a book of stories you have already read. So encouraging to all those who publish online and who wish to edit their stories into top book form!
Bonjour Kristin ! Ma préférée est celle en blanc et noir. You really look pensive like the writer you are, with all the books around you. One feels in a writer’s room…. Love the frogs on your pyjama.
Love both photos, the PJ bottoms definitely get the thumbs up – very cool!!!
Go with your dream, follow your heart and you can never look back and say – What if?
A book is something you can pick up, feel and engage with, flick open on any page and savour – on a couch, in the sun, on the métro!
Your books make great presents too, I love sending them to my friends in N.Z. They feel like they are getting a slice of France.
You really deserve this… Go Get It!!
Poppi x
Love your “dailies” and your writing, Kristin.(“Words in a French Life” was a great read and is in my bookshelf.)Keep up the wonderful work! P. S. I favor the June 2011 photo.
Kristin:
I liked the color shot with a bit of your landscape in the background.
Edie from Savannah
So, if bonne lecture is happy reading, what is happy writing? Bonne ecriture? Or is that just good handwriting? Or aren’t writers supposed to be happy? You do look the happy (and accessible, open and friendly) writer in the blanc et noir. Second item–file this one for a time when you need a starting point if you like it… Du bout des lèvres. I’d love to see what you’d do with that one.