Big Book News
Big Book News
At the beginning of the 2008 recession, I was the first in my friend group to be laid off. I was frustrated, sad, and lost. I craved structure and came up with some ground rules while I figured out my next steps: no TV during the day, and I needed to get out of the house. There was only so much job searching I could do.
I walked daily to the Barnes and Noble and Borders bookstores near my apartment. On Sundays growing up, my dad took my sister and me to the bookshop and brunch. Bookstores were, to me, a comforting and familiar place.
I spent hours in the bookstores reading all types of books. My goal was to find my next chapter. What would I do with my life? Would I go back to school? Should I begin a new career? I felt like the possibilities were endless, but I was stuck.
The park across from my house was a spot I loved to visit to reflect and think. I knew I wanted to sell my travel photography, but e-commerce wasn’t a thing back in 2008. How would I do it?
This is where I ultimately dreamt of three crazy big goals. Across from the bookstores was Papyrus, so I knew I had to get my photography sold there. Pottery Barn was a dream store, and I thought it matched my aesthetic, so I wanted to place my photography there, too. But my third and biggest goal was to find my way into every home through a coffee table book. I just didn’t have the concept yet.
These dreams and goals have always driven me. Over the last 16 years, my photography business has experienced twists, turns, roadblocks, and speedbumps. Aside from my love of Paris, one constant has been my dream of publishing my work in a book. In 2013, I created a concept for my story that I have kept the same, and I have collected photographs for this book since.
The hardest part for me was finding a publisher and drafting an outline. Something kept me from writing down exactly what the book would look like. Before the pandemic, a friend connected me with someone to share my concept, and I dropped the ball. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be because something better was coming along.
I have been waiting for 16 years for an email from a publisher to land in my inbox. In modern times, it came in the form of an Instagram DM. I dropped my phone and jumped up and down with excitement when I saw it. “Would I ever be interested in publishing a Paris book?” My answer was an immediate YES!!!!
After several months of emails and phone calls, I finally met my publishing “dream team” in Paris this fall. Over a glass of Chablis and a riverboat cruise down the Seine, we toasted to my next big chapter.
The one request was to add Christmas to the book! So here I am, back in Paris, capturing the magic of the holidays.
I can’t wait to share more details with you soon. My first book is a love letter to the city of Paris.
First things first, we need a cover! Do you have any favorites that would make a perfect cover from my collection?
For the next few weeks, it will be head down writing, dreaming, and creating! Thank you for joining me on this exciting adventure.
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
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I think for the cover you could go in a few directions… Your best selling photo, your first selling photo , (both sentimental choices for you) . Personally I love you “Bed and windows” photo, as one as the single blush rose with the city in the background. (Both are probably among the top sellers)
Thank you, Danyel! So many options it was hard to choose. I am waiting to see the cover from my design team soon!
Congratulations! I love Paris and now spend a lot of time there (retired flight attendant!) Love your photos. Perhaps I’ll run into you some day, in the most feminine city in the world.
Thank you, Nancy! I would love to run into you one day in Paris. xo