HELP CHOOSE A BOOK COVER
I'm excited to share the cover designs for my upcoming book. Please take a close look and let me know which numbered cover you prefer: comment via this link. Thank you for your feedback and don't miss today's story, just below. (Cover designs by Monica at TLC Book Design)
Or go directly to the poll page, where you will see the book covers up close and you can vote.
TODAY'S WORD: GALÉRER
: to struggle, have trouble
"Les galères font le galérien." –Victor Hugo
(Difficult times create resilient people.)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
I have been trying to gather these stories you are reading into a book for years—ever since my last compilation was published a decade ago. You'd think it would be simple to pull together some blog entries, paste them into a manuscript, and—abracadabra—upload them to Amazon's Print On Demand. After all, there are so many tools and support systems available for indie publishers. But, after struggle upon struggle–après avoir bien galéré–I realized I couldn't do this alone.
Back in 2003, as a newly-minted blogger, I managed to put these early billets into a manuscript, create a cover, and send the files off to "Instant Publisher" in the States. They printed the books and shipped them, 500 at a time, to me in France. In turn, I shipped them one by one and sometimes three by three (many of you graciously bought all three volumes) to readers worldwide. These little awkward editions (one was missing part of the title on its spine, and all three lacked proper interior formatting) were selling like hotcakes, and I was finally making a living as a writer–or at least helping to supplement my husband's income. I was now a stay-at-home mom with a vocation! My publishing gig might have continued even today if it weren't for an unexpected email from a "Big Five" éditeur…
It was a dream come true when Simon & Schuster professionally edited my essays into a hardbound book: "Words in a French Life." While the memoir did well, selling over 50,000 copies, it wasn't enough for the publisher to want to pursue a Volume 2. When my editor suggested fiction, I froze, having only ever written short essays. Allowing all my insecurities to come out and feast, I let my contract with a New York agent run out and I returned to what was "easiest" or most familiar to me: blogging. I made a few half-hearted attempts at printing more books but had lost my self-publishing mojo.
Several years later, a reader reached out, and I had the chance to work with Tami and Erin at TLC Book Design. It was exciting to see two more books published in 2009 and 2014! But after our déménagement from the vineyard, I floundered for a while. Then, in the beginning of 2024, fueled by the positive comments on the blog, the dream was rekindled. I realized part of the difficulty in gathering the stories was the overwhelming scope of it all: there were 22 years of archives to sort through! Finally, the thought came: Begin where you are. Just do your best with your current stories and enter them into the manuscript, one by one.
This decision helped me focus on the story at hand and stick to a narrative. As I worked, the title for the book surfaced naturally:
"A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE"
Finally, this title sounded right, given the book is based on this column "A Day in a French Life." With these pieces of the puzzle in place, I was off and running! Well, until the formatting woes, cover conundrums, etc., drained me, and the doubts returned. A quoi bon? Why bother making a book when it's so much easier to just keep blogging? As long as I kept mumbling "A quoi bon?" I was stuck.
Last week, I was ready to give up altogether when my sister Heidi called. Within minutes, she assured me it would all come together. "Keep at it!"
Once again, the message is: cela aussi passera. This doubtful moment will pass. There will be others, but they will pass as well. The next day, I was back at my manuscript, and things were looking clearer. This overwhelming project felt faisable. Around this time, I received a series of book cover options from TLC Book Designs, who I'm pleased to be working with again. "A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE" will be published in 2025, and though I'm only halfway through the manuscript, I trust I'll make it to the finish, with the help of faith, friends, and family. While I may like to do things on my own, experience is showing me that life is better together.
I leave you with the second most beautiful verb in the world, according to peace activist and novelist Bertha von Suttner:
"Après le verbe 'aimer', 'aider' est le plus beau verbe du monde." "After the verb 'to love', 'to help' is the most beautiful verb in the world."
Post Note: As for the nagging question "A quoi bon? or Why bother" Here is one good reason: Because if we don't pursue our goals, they will bother us until we do! I suppose that is the reason I write.
LOOKING FOR BETA-READERS
I am looking for volunteers to read the first half of my manuscript and report any typos or mistakes. If you are comfortable reading 187 pages in Microsoft Word and good at spotting errors in French and English, thank you for contacting me at kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
Some of the first books I self-published. The yellow book is the Simon & Schuster edition. Three more books are not pictured, as this photo was taken before they were published.
COMMENTS
Your comments are enjoyed and your edits are appreciated. Click here to leave a message.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French terms. Click here
galérer = to struggle, have trouble
Les galères font galérien = Difficult times create resilient people.
après avoir bien galéré = after struggle upon struggle
un billet = blog post
un éditeur = publisher
déménagement = move
A quoi bon? = Why bother?
cela aussi passera = this too shall pass
faisable = feasible
Après le verbe 'aimer', 'aider' est le plus beau verbe du monde. = After the verb 'to love', 'to help' is the most beautiful verb in the world.
REMERCIEMENTS
Sincere appreciation to the following readers who recently sent in a blog donation. Merci beaucoup! –Kristi
Lo S.
Ron C.
Joan S.
Tom D.
Fred G.
Lynn R.
John M.
Linda A.
Brenda P.
Kathryn H.
Rob and Pat W.
Kristi, your beautiful posts are a delight! Merci beaucoup! –Linda A.
Kristi, sending you tons of gratitude and well wishes! Retired and looking forward to visiting France in the next few years! –Ron
Mother-Daughter lunch In Cassis at Le Grand Large. Our girls, Jackie, left, and Josie, right really hit it off. I met Jennifer, center-right over 15 years ago, when we both were blogging about family life. Jennifer's blog, Diary of 1 is no longer on line, but if she ever starts another journal I will let you know.
Posing with artists from Capetown, South Africa and London, UK. Sisters Anna Morris (photographer) and Julia Godsiff (sculptor) came to visit La Ciotat after reading my journal and ended up in an Airbnb right next to my church. Over Perrier spiked with orange juice we talked about the creative life, entering into “the zone” and the need to set boundaries at home in order to be able to write or paint or sculpt. Julia, right, shared some words from Virginia Woolf: “You’ve got to kill the angel in the house.” I left our meetup inspired and with plans to set my noisy family straight. Indeed, No more Mrs. Nice Guy! Just kidding. The truth is Life is messy and it will always come kicking and screaming into your creative zone. Instead of killing the angel of the house, we need to let life trample all over us and be imprinted with its passionate passage. After all, what would there be to say, sculpt, or paint if life didn’t get in the way?
My Notes. Scrolling through a manuscript of 187 pages can be confusing. I finally grabbed an envelope and came up with a rough system to track things: had I included a photo with each chapter? were all French words italicized? Did the chapters have numbers? These are only a few considerations but they help in the initial run-through! Thank you for reading and don't forget to take the poll for the best book cover.
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Definitely #1 for all sorts of reasons and I’m an art teacher. That ubiquitous font on several of the others has exhausted itself and you deserve a more elegant typeface!
Number 1 and 6 are the most eye-catching, but I like 6 best of all. It gives an idea of the subject of the book, it’s clear, not cluttered, and it’s visually the most appealing to me. Number 5 would be better without the band of 4 colors, which is distracting, and maybe with the title banner not orange.
Hi Kristi,
Been following you from Vancouver for over 15 years…I’m a retired Packaged goods marketing executive!
I love the brand elements on your yellow Simona & Schuster earlier book. Why not continue in that tradition…warm, humorous and distinctive cover artwork…with a new representation in the same style??
You have a distinctive and very well accepted writing voice…why not extend that into a printed brand identity?
Hoping for many more to come,
Cheers.
Fiona
#1 is an immediate standout! It draws me instantly. Good Luck with the publication.
They all look terrific! It’s hard to make a choice without seeing them in a larger format. But I’m inclined toward #1 from a marketing perspective because it’s a beachy escape. People are still very much in “escape mode” after the pandemic, and nothing represents escape better than fun in the sun. Of course, going to France (psychologically, by reading a book about it) is in itself a wonderful escape, so all the pictures fulfil that role, but the beachy one packs a double punch. Nevertheless, there are no bad choices here. They all look enticing and professionally-done.
vote # 5
# 3 would be my first choice, and # 2 my second. But it looks like a lot of people have other preferences! I’m sure you’ll pick the one that’s right for you! looking forward to reading it1
What a busy woman!! Lots of decisions & lots of advice. Go with your heart- just as you have put into each of your posts. I am proud of you for moving forward in the face of doubts. Your writing is so pertinent to many people. In a book, perhaps you can reach even a wider audience. Bonne chance!
I like 5 or 6.
#1 got my attention, and conveyed peace and relaxation (which is so needed in this day and age).
I prefer 5 and 6. Can’t wait to read it.
Janine
I like 1 and 3. Good luck getting a consensus! lol
Hi Kristin –
I choose # 3 followed by #8.
Good luck!
Kathryn Hill
(I want a copy.)
I like 5 and 8. It’s sweet that you ask your readers their preferences, but the cover should represent the essence of your hard work over the years. I know you will select the perfect option!
#2 I like this one because, given that it’s a year in French life, it suggests a variety of places/topics–and it has my otherwise favourite cover, #6, incorporated into it. I also like the graphics on this one better–even though there are more photos, the graphics seem less cluttered.
Numbers 1 and 5 feel fresh and contemporary and get my vote in that order!
Our dear Kristi ,
BRAVO ma chere,BRAVO!!!
ALL of these covers are fantastic; I lean towards number 3 only because of the different scenes transpiring through your wonderful French life!
Am so very proud of you.As you know,I’m a devoted and long time fan,one who enjoys and reenjoys every word you write.
Your talent and gifted writing reach out and hug each and every one of your fortunate readers.
BRAVO!!BRAVO!! BRAVO!!!
Arms tight around all of you.
Love
Natalia
Numero 6 – c’est genial!
#1 popped, then #5, but I would love number 8 on my coffee table!
#6 is my favorite, then #7. good luck with your decision! xo
#1 … some of the others look like other books I have seen lately. You will want to stand out!
I vote for Cover No. 5
Number 6. The covers with more than one picture on them are too busy.
Congratulations on this next writing adventure! I think your cover is # 8, hands down. It’s eye-catching – -gorgeous color and design and invites the reader in. Only change I might suggest is to move the title to the top so the photo is not obscured. What a French life you’re living!
Beth McNamara
From the Willamette Valley in Oregon
Dear Kristi, Congratulations dear one!!
Your writing, in all forms, is heartfelt, meaningful and welcomed in all forms – so happy a new book is on the way!
Leaning towards #1 or #6 for the cover. You have great instincts, so choose what feels best for you.
Please keep us updated and in how we can support you in the journey.
Beaucoup d’amour,
Lisa
My personal favorite is #6.
I vote for number 6 too. So proud of you, Krisit
5 or 6. They are my favorites!!!
J’adore numero 6. Cela me rappelle de vos histoires.
6, some of others could be photos of anywhere, but 6 looks distinctly French! Yay!
Je trouve la couverture numéro 6 la plus charmante!
hi, Kristi: What a creative idea you have had in letting your subscribers & readers have a hand in choosing your covers. I chose #5 because of the many lovely, small streets in France. Good luck with your choices. I have a feeling I know which one it will be. Have a super day. Amicalmente, Ann
Bonjour Kristi, I love #8. It is fresh and bright and non typical-perfect!
I vote for 7
And congrats!!
I really like #3. Good luck
DearKristi,
I like #1. It seems to represent the place where you are currently planted, growing and blooming…
And cheers to you for taking on another book. Something to definitely look forward to!
I like number 6 the best. Can hardly wait to read the book. Good on you for pursuing your goal!
#1 is IT!
Thanks for asking! I like 5, 6 and 7 because the 2024 is not as large and the scenes are more evocative of a life in France. The beach scene one with the boats seems too much like a vacation shot. No. 8 is one that I don’t like at all.
Thanks!
#1 Kristy! It may be the first one………..but it is the most eye-catching!
Sorry to be saying this but too many of the elements of the covers look quite old fashioned to me eg multiple small pix and the title banners (both font and shape).
I favour the engaging full page scenes of numbers 5 and 6, but in both cases the title banners are too fussy and their placement detracts from the photo.
I can understand your difficulty in making a choice! They are great designs, my personal preference is for #1, but closely followed by #6
Bonjour, Kristi,
#6 est plus mieux que les autres. Oui, j’aime #6!
Amitiés, Joanne
I am drawn to No.5
It’s very romantic
I like #1 and #8. Can’t exactly define why, but they just appealed to me more.
I chose book cover two because it shows various French settings and is uncluttered. Cover three shows variety but is not as clear and easy to view.
When it is published, please let me know, and how to acquire one.
Lorsque votre livre sera publié, merci de me le faire savoir et de m’indiquer également comment en acquérir un exemplaire. (From Google Translate)
Henri en St. Louis.
#6
They all look great but # 1 is my favorite.
Then # 7
Hi Kristi
My choice would be #8 – I love the colour pattern with just a hint of delightful scenes from your happy life in France – leading us into more adventures!
Love Sandy
I like cover number 1. It’s a beautiful picture and it’s eye catching. Thanks for asking:)