One of the best parts of living in France is getting to know wonderful people who I never managed to run into while in Arizona. Meet Kristin Espinasse, author of the hit blog, French Word A Day and the books Words in a French Life, Blossoming in Provence - and now, First French Essais. Beautiful, modest and wonderfully funny (see her Youtube video on opening a bottle of wine with a book), Kristin has become a top blogger, an accomplished author - and now - an innovative publisher.
Helped by tens of thousands of devoted fans, Kristin's beautifully produced new book First French Essais immediately hit Amazon's bestseller list. In this interview we talk with Kristin about her new adventures in writing, learning, publishing - and living in France.
a Paris Writers News interview
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Laurel Zuckerman: What inspired you to write First French Essais?
Kristin Espinasse: My Aunt? Let me explain. I have this dear aunt and uncle who do not have internet... These essays--originally posted on my blog--are partly for them. I also published this book as a way to revive the stories, which disappear into the blog archives. Why shouldn't stories be like songs--and be enjoyed again and again?
The layout is terrific. Very easy to read. What kind of readers were you thinking of when you designed the book?
Thank you! I had no particular reading group in mind. Anyone who enjoys learning about French life will find something in this book, and First French 'Essais' will definitely appeal to busy people as the stories are short, and can be read in between appointments, To-Dos, or while resting. The chapters are short and filled with insights on France--perfect for reading before bedtime (including the afternoon nap). The vocabulary words at the end of the chapter will then sink into the subconscious. Easy-peasy learning!
Who is your designer and how did you find him/her?
TLG Graphics. Tamara Dever is a reader of my blog. One day she wrote to me, introducing herself and her publishing associates, including Erin Stark--who did the beautiful interior. Erin came up with those delightful end-of-chapter ardoises, or French menu chalkboards, on which the vocabulary is listed. Tamara and Erin turned every formating problem--such as the photo sizing--into a delightful detail!
You’ve told the story of how you became a full time writer. Any regrets?
Aucun! Not one! In the intro to First French 'Essais,' I talk about how writing is un travail valorisant--a meaningful and enriching occupation--unlike many of the jobs I've had in the past.
First French 'Essais' shot into top 100 on Amazon immediately upon publication. How did you prepare the launch of First French Essais?
I scrambled the week of publication, trying to remember how I'd prepared for the previous book launch (for "Blossoming in Provence", which ranked in the top 300 the day it came out). Only I soon realized the previous launch had been a unique situation: Blossoming was edited live on my blog, via a "21 day book challenge," meaning readers were already very aware of the book and excited to buy it.
Did you have a communication strategy in place? How did you tell people about your book? Did you use social media? Which sites were most effective?
Remembering the support of my readers, I asked for their help in spreading the word on Facebook, on Twitter, or via word-of-mouth. To motivate readers to help with PR, I shared facts about the process of launching a book--and the importance of the first week of sales. I explained to readers how buying my book on its publication day--or very near it--would help boost the title up into Amazon's radar--or their readers' radar--a feat that would help to shine the light on one little book in a sea of millions. Readers were happy to help, and I am so grateful for it.
You’ve been published by big publishers in the past, but for First French Essais you worked with Amazon’s CreateSpace – Why?
My previous publisher suggested a memoir or a work of fiction, for the next project, not wanting to do a "Volume II" of essays ("They won't sell as well," I was told). I did not feel ready to make that commitment (for the memoir), and was not sure I could write fiction. Many years passed and I was itching to edit another book. Finally, I published the follow-up essays (Blossoming in Provence) on my own. Reader response was so encouraging that I published another (First French Essais).
What was your experience working with CreateSpace like?
Excellent. I found the customer support truly helpful. They answered all my questions and were reachable via telephone.
Where and how are you distributing First French Essais? Is your book available in China, India, Korea and the rest of Asia?
This particular book is only available on Amazon, and in certain countries: US, Canada, UK, France.... I hoped for independant bookstore sales, but owing to the cost of my book (I would have had to, according to CreateSpace, raise the price of my book to help pay for the middleman), it is only available online.
How are you able to reconcile writing with the efforts needed to market the book? What lessons have you learned?
It is important to keep on writing--to entertain a faithful audience as well as to grow one's composition skills. Marketing can almost come second or, as the saying goes: If you build it they will come!
Your columns are always so charming and positive. Can you imagine writing about the darker subjects?
Thank you! I sometimes write about darker subjects, even though some readers are uncomfortable when the light-hearted essays turn heavy. But the truth is, no matter where we live or what we do for a living--none of us has the monopoly on health and happiness. By sharing our stories we give each other hope and, sometimes, the courage to soldier on!
Do you have a favorite word in French?
There are so many. The word "coucou" instantly puts a smile on my face. The French say this when they pop in for a visit (in person or via email): "Coucou, Chérie! Comment ca-va?" (Plus, I admit, it is very funny to stop and think that someone is inadvertently calling you nuts, in your native tongue!)
What are you working on now?
My garden! Oh the stories going on there, a saga involving thieving aphids, not-so-lady-like ladybugs (aka aphid killers!), and a host of beady-eyed heroes and villains. Maybe one day I'll write about them, too....
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About Kristin Espinasse:
Kristin Espinasse is the creator of French-Word-A-Day.com. Her personal essays make up the books "Words in a French Life" and "Blossoming in Provence." Columnist at France Today, her back page "Dernier Mot" is read by Francophiles bimonthly. Kristin lives in Provence with her husband, their two children, and two golden retrievers (Braise and Smokey). Receive her free word journal at www.french-word-a-day.com
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