The Boy and I were able to focus some energy this weekend on finalising a series of simple banners to promote the upcoming publication of “petite anglaise”. Or should I say, The Boy did the work, while I regularly plied him with coffee, junk food and sexual favours in return for his hard graft.
You can see an example in the sidebar to your right. I rather like it.
Just in case you’ve been in Outer Mongolia for the past few months, the UK version of “petite” will be on sale from 6 March in various territories which the outdated term ‘commonwealth’ still refers to in the world of publishing, including South Africa, Australia and English language bookshops throughout Europe.
If you would like to adopt a banner, I’ve created two pages where you can view them and copy the code you will need to paste into your blog template. The only difference being that the first links to the book page on Amazon UK when clicked, the second to Amazon France.
Having lost the best part of the day fiddling with these, I suppose I’d better take myself off and do some writing now…
about
books
press
fbk
petite anglaise 
OK, you have a link at my blog, and I’ve marked the book signing down on my calendar!
Comment by Tinfoiled — January 29, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
Ooh! My first convert.
Next stop: world domination.
Comment by petite — January 29, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
A signing at WHS is Paris? Is that the one on the Rue de Rivoli? That place keeps me in books when I’m in Paris-but the magazines are a bit expensive.
I’ll take a banner ad too :)
Comment by mrhunnybun — January 29, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Good to have the info on the WH Smith book signing. I’ll be able to add another name to my “books signed by the author” list, which currently has just one book on it (Salman Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet) :-)
Comment by Iain — January 29, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
oooh yes, I’ll have one of those!! Not long to go xxxx
Comment by rhino75 — January 29, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
They look really good.
Comment by susie — January 29, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
WOW, the official first book-signing is scheduled — so exciting! Of course, I’m sure every step along the way has been incredibly exciting for you, but this just seems to make it all the more concrete… Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy too! And signed, of course.
Comment by Alice — January 29, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Hmmm – here’s a link for amazon.de, just in case:
I would love to embed that…
cheers,
Wolfgang
Comment by wjl (Wolfgang Lonien) — January 29, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
You could also create a “business” page on Facebook and then people “become a fan.” I am not totally sure how it works but I think it’s free. http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Viral marketing is the name of the game these days.
Comment by Zoe — January 29, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
C’est prévu!
Comment by petite — January 29, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
I really like it! And I’ll definitely be at the signing – no wait – I WON’T – ack! I’ve just realised I’ll be in India (which is some consolation) but I was so excited to go to your signing – apart from anything else, I’m sure there will be a huge contingent of the Paris bloggers there.
Comment by Passementerie — January 29, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
Back in the good old days I read your blog because you wrote some interesting stuff about youl life in Paris, now all we get is self promotion about your book. I realise this is a big deal for you but makes dull reading for me. Please can we have the old petite back.
Comment by sandwichfilling — January 29, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
You’ll have lots of converts soon! And you should be shameless!
Comment by clarissa — January 29, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
I do try to balance things out, but given that at the moment every waking moment is spent working on promotion – writing articles, having interviews etc – I think that five out of the past fifteen posts being book related, given the publication date, is pretty reasonable.
I’m sorry if you disagree, but I’m sure you must appreciate that my life has changed since I started writing this blog. My days are not spent running to get métros, going to an office etc and my subject matter has changed to reflect this. You might hanker after those days. I certainly don’t…
Comment by petite — January 29, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Erm, am I allowed not to like the first one? Being a woman, as lovely as you are petit, that would not tempt me to buy the book. The other two are good, especially the last one.
I’m loving the fact that your book signing starts at 7.30pm given that that is the time I will probably be out of work (hopefully!).
I was walking around Buttes-Chaumont two weeks ago at the weekend, and half expected to bump into you, (which is crazy given the size and landscape of the thing… but anyway!).
Also as regards comment 12, of course you have to promote your book, which is perfectly understandable but we do love Tadpole anecdotes (thanks for the latest by the way) and I suppose that those outside of France also like references to you living a glamourous Parisian lifestyle (when you are not freezing youself on a café terrace!)
Of course your blog, and you, have changed over the last few years, but nonetheless your still readers want to hear about your life, with your lovely daughter and sexy Frenchman!
Comment by laroseanglaise — January 29, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
“at the moment every waking moment is spent working on promotion” – ok, so you have become boring, stop the blog until you start doing something interesting eh?
Comment by pankoink — January 29, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Yes, there is a smidge of promotion of your book, but in a friendly, excited and innocent kind of way. And hey, we are included as well when you ask us our opinions and preferences. We have been observers in your life, now surely as a captive audience (and lets face it, the first most likely market for your book), you are just doing what any sensible business woman should do and well… market yourself to your target market. Your life has changed, your blog is changing, but has your readership dropped off?…nup??? Didn’t think so.
And down here at the almost bottom of the “commonwealth” or “colonies”, we are waiting for the book shelves to fill in Sydney. Good on you Petite!!!
Comment by Lisa — January 29, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
So if I live in California, I can’t get the UK version when it comes out on March 6?
Comment by Kathryn (Sanders!) Romero — January 29, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
Hardback !!!!!!! Sound fun ;-)))
==Alaska
Comment by ==Alaska — January 29, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
You’d simply need to order from Amazon uk…
Comment by petite — January 29, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
The book is on its way… the blog does have a more crustaceous tone … I feel we’re moving towards the end of a chapter…
From a reader’s perspective, this is the first blog I’ve followed to book publication. It’s all very interesting. In future years, blog-to-book might become quite a well-trodden path, but Petite is one of the trailblazers.
Best wishes, as ever.
Comment by LKH — January 29, 2008 @ 11:55 pm
I’d probably be promoting my book too. It’s a huge event so shamelessly promote all you want. Congratulations.
Comment by jen — January 30, 2008 @ 12:45 am
Wheee! I’ll be in the UK AND Paris in April and will be buying both versions. The French translation will help me with my lousy French, right?
I will put a banner on my blog, except barely anyone reads it….
Comment by Artemisia — January 30, 2008 @ 3:00 am
I recently found your blog and liked it so much that I went back through the archives and read every entry. You are a gifted writer and deserve all the success coming your way. I am putting a banner on my MySpace page and eagerly awaiting the book.
Comment by Jennifer B — January 30, 2008 @ 5:37 am
Any book signings in Uk??
Comment by Rebecca L — January 30, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
#23 – NB the version available in France will be in English, still. Don’t buy the same copy twice!
@25 – possibly in York, not yet confirmed. First time authors don’t usually get put in a signing situation (by Penguin at least) but given my “community” it was felt that for Paris at least, it was worth doing. If there is demand, I’m sure something could be organised in London later on …
Comment by petite — January 30, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
no signing scheduled in london?
Comment by Ms Paz — January 30, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Petite,
you now have a link (and even a small article) on my site. Please note that normally I don’t put ads there, but in this case…
best,
Wolfgang
Comment by wjl (Wolfgang Lonien) — January 30, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Like a few people here I am dismayed at the lack of cool displayed by Petite. . .okay, so a book is coming out. . . but not every waking moment needs to be devoted to shameless promotion. It’s only a book!
It might be cooler, more sophisticated and interesting to hear about your feelings about other aspects of life that are changing or not changing. It would be nice to see some of that lovely insight you displayed in earlier entries. . .maybe you are just driven by money. . . after all. . .sell, sell, sell.
Sad.
I’m going to stay away and maybe see you back in top form after all the promotion dies down.
Comment by Lola — January 30, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
I suppose I should be used to being told what to write, how to live, how often to blog, and to hear about how it was better in the “good old days”.
Now I’m being told how much/little I ought to talk about my day job or use my blog to promote the book which was born out of it (and which, yes, does represent my livelihood, so if it is well received, I will not be displeased…)
A recent post on Americanisation attracted a record number of comments, which to me is an indication that some of my insights into the publication process do interest people.
I doubt I can please everyone. So I’ll just do what I’ve always done, consider that it’s my blog, and it’s entirely up to the individual whether they visit. Or not.
Comment by petite — January 30, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
Goodness, I rarely comment but this is unbelievable. I guess its the forum you are in and the freedom of speech that goes with it. I have sometimes marvelled at how kind the comments you receive are and how people defend you from the likes of Trevor … but to knock you for promoting your book on your blog is quite astonishing … this is after all not JUST a book, as you say it is your livelihood, and very personal not just in content but you are presenting your naked talent ready for the world to criticise. The success of your blog is one thing but a book is entirely different … and those books need to be sold in order to continue writing and paying the bills … As you said you have grown and moved on … life changes and some extremely selfish people should recognise that. Talent such as yours would have been paid for in the not so distant past so why should we expect it to continue now that it has been recognised ?
Comment by Victoria — January 30, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
who knows why people who’ve enjoyed reading about your life the way you write about it would complain now about you carrying on with doing that!? but perhaps it’s different when one understands just how exciting the whole book process really is. have enjoyed reading you for years. and still do.
Comment by stacey — January 30, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
It is amazing to watch what success can do to people. No, I don’t mean Petite, I mean those that have turned on her simply for her success. Instead of encouraging her efforts and supporting her, they feel the need to tear her down, and make her conform to their expectations of what she should be. Note to those people: It’s a shame your think your own lives are so dull that you need to live vicariously through someone else. Think you can do better? Write your own book, and then promote it without help from anyone, and see how far you get.
There is a great song from The Who that fits this occasion. It’s called “How Many Friends? (Have I Really Got?)” There is a line from it that goes:
“When I first signed a contract/It was more than a handshake then/I know it still is/But there’s a plain fact/We talk so much shit behind each others backs.”
To #16 and #29…..Wake up! She wrote a book, and she is proud of it. So what? So she’s hyping it some? So what? let’s see you do better, then you can complain….
Comment by Dave of the Lake — January 30, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Go Dave!
Comment by susie — January 30, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Petite, please ignore the whiners. You’re right, people can visit or not as they see fit. As a long-time lurker, I’m thrilled to see you find success! And frankly I _am_ interested in watching the process of how a blogger enters the publishing world. So enjoy, keep up the great blog, and don’t let the whiners get to you.
Comment by John — January 30, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Tantra is a union of lovers, and union with the divine, with God. In the Tantric tradition, sexuality and spirituality are joined. Lovers actually invite God right into their bed!
Comment by Trevor — January 30, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Personally, I have found it fascinating to be ‘in on’ the process of pitching, writing, editing, publishing & marketing your book. It’s exciting to see it through your eyes – the hard slogging, thrills, frustrations and excitement.
Not to write about it would be to deny its importance in your life, and if you didn’t write about things that are important to you, you’d have no fun and we’d have nothing to read!
Comment by Peg — January 30, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
I think what you are writing now IS about your life. So, share away.
I have pre ordered the book to be sent to Texas.
Maxly
Comment by Maxly — January 30, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
I don’t often comment but I’ve been reading since the ‘early days’ when you were still living with Mr Frog. You were willing to open your heart to your readers then, so, by my reckoning, you have every right to revel in your success now. And I for one am delighted at how your life has changed for the better.
Comment by sablonneuse — January 30, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
well good luck to you and I hope the book is a smashing success. I guess my question is when are you and the boy going to stop playing house and get serious? How long have you been together now anyway? I’m campaigning for Tadpole–she needs a sibling!!!
Comment by Small Town Diva — January 30, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
As an avid reader from time immemorial I have also found a space for your ad on my blog…well that’s if you can call it a blog – I’ve only just started it and so far have no posts. Hmmm..!
Actually, whilst I’m on this topic, did anyone else out there find they had so many ideas for a blog until the moment when they set one up, and then found they couldn’t think of anything to write?
Oh yes, and by the way, I am interested in hearing all about the trials and tribulations of writing a book. Just makes the build up to it coming out all the more exciting – I almost feel I have “participated” in its production (although this is the first time I’ve commented, so hardly likely)!!
Comment by Chouitie — January 30, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
oh my goodness. I am a wee bit stunned at the ridiculous negativity of some of these readers/wannabe critics.
Writing a book is really really hard and takes a LOT of work and I am simply appalled at these silly folk who think that it’s “just a book.”
I say petite should toot her own horn as much as possible and promote the hell out of her book. Writing well is NOT EASY. Solid, quality writing does not flow effortlessly – though it may look like it does.
Congratulations on getting published! Self promote! (Um, that’s what writers DO – who is else is going to do it? Unless one can afford an agent, but let’s be reasonable.) Be shameless! Revel in your success!
Comment by french panic — January 30, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
My quandary is, can I learn enough Dutch to make the piscean tower trashlation comprehensible between now and March, always was an impatient soandso.
Comment by j — January 31, 2008 @ 12:18 am
I’m with the others. The publication of your book is a huge event, and you are right to write about it as much as you like. You have readers who have followed you for years; things evolve, you are no longer anonymous so you you cannot write about “The Boy” as you might have in the past.
I’m a comparatively new reader, having discovered blogs at the time of Colin Randall’s piece in the Telegraph and the BBC’s “Meet the Bloggers” (18 months ago).
So enjoy your success, and I look forward to book two. And it’s not fair that the Dutch edition comes out first…
Comment by pierre l — January 31, 2008 @ 12:38 am
Have you got security lined up for the book-signing. Remember what happened to Pamela Anderson in the Borat film.
Comment by Mancunian Lass — January 31, 2008 @ 9:58 am
Go supporters! Promoting your book is part of the process, and part of your life. Perhaps it sounds like selling a book is no longer part of the “real world” to the critics, whom I agree are indeed selfish because they want you to get back to being entertaining as per their definition. It’s real life in real time, folks! Isn’t that what you came for?
Meanwhile, Petite, I wanted to ask you to do a little cross-promotion. Take a look at The Liar’s Diary – I know we missed the blog day, but I think you could still help with a mini-post, and you will probably feel for Patry Francis.
http://litpark.com/2008/01/28/the-liars-diary-blog-day/
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=269928
Cheers. If I had a choice in my template, I would definitely put a banner up for you, but they’re kind of draconian over at the Science Advisory Board (and believe me, I’ve tried).
Comment by Alethea — January 31, 2008 @ 10:26 am
By the way, would you be open to me ordering a book, mailing it to some address for you for signing, and including a postage-paid envelope within France for you to send it back?
I’ll do my best to come in person but I haven’t booked my spring flights to Paris and it’s far from sure I can be there on a given evening in March.
Comment by Alethea — January 31, 2008 @ 10:30 am
Shit. Either my other comment has gone to moderation, or it was lost. It may be moderated because of the links. I’ll find out by re-posting, and you can delete this if it is in double.
If it was lost, I wanted to ask you to cross-promote Ms. Patry Francis, whose story is here:
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=269928
and on whose behalf we just missed a blog day here:
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=269928
but if Neil Gaiman can promote a bit late, so can other writers. ;-)
Comment by Alethea — January 31, 2008 @ 10:32 am
oh no, Trevors back
Comment by susie — January 31, 2008 @ 10:39 am
I’m going to be signing a batch of books in the UK at the beginning of March, and once I know where these can be ordered from, I’ll post the information. I realise from the comments and emails I’ve been receiving that there are quite a lot of people who are keen to have a signed copy and I doubt I’ll have the time to deal with these myself – plus the post here can be more than erratic and I’d hate for copies to go missing.
And when I sign, should it be as petite, or as Catherine, I wonder?
Comment by petite — January 31, 2008 @ 10:42 am
I don’t think you’ve “lost” the better part of a day. They came out great.
But where are the US banners?
Odd how I have to poke you in the eye to submit.
Comment by Ben — January 31, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
US publication date is in June, so these will follow in due course …
Comment by petite — January 31, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
I’d like to add ‘Go Dave!’ as well. Your book is effectively your new baby, you are proud of it and want to show it off. Nobody complains about your Tadpole posts (and she does sound absolutely adorable!). I find your book posts very interesting, and I would like to know how the sales progress etc and the reaction of the public and critics. Please keep on posting!
I’d like a signed copy as well but won’t be able to come to the book signings. Would it be possible to order one online?
Comment by Karen — January 31, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Sod those grumpy buggers who’re having a go about what YOU want to write on YOUR blog.
Tsk.
If you started writing what they think they want to read, they’d get all annoyed about something else, probably anyway.
There’s just no need:)
Looking forward to the book,
Sx
Comment by Soph — January 31, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
I second Karen’s post, is there a way for your blog readers to order a signed copy of the book, who can’t make the signings? Unless you have a signing in Lyon planned. (Hint,Hint,Hint)
Comment by sugar007 — January 31, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
you can’t just write whatever you like on your blog!
It is against the law!
There are rules.
Bloody independent women.
x
we must go for a Cockney pint soon.
Comment by andre — January 31, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
The term “commonwealth” does include Canada, doesn’t it? We were after all the proud hosts of the Commonwealth Games in 1994. When will the book be available there, and from what publisher? Looking forward to reading it!
Comment by Antonia — February 1, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Ah. Now normally it does. But in this case Penguin bought Commonwealth excluding Canada (as Doubleday Canada had already bought those rights).
So the Canadian version will be out in June, same time as US edition.
It’s a complicated business and no mistake.
Comment by petite — February 1, 2008 @ 8:59 am
#41, this was an interesting question: “did anyone else out there find they had so many ideas for a blog until the moment when they set one up, and then found they couldn’t think of anything to write?”
I myself got caught up in starting a blog, then I found I never knew what to put on it that anybody else could possibly be interested in reading (my kids disagree). And I couldn’t see writing a personal diary kind of thing open to the whole world should they find it.
So I let the whole thing drop until another time. Plenty of others out there filling cyberspace. But I liked the name, and I keep it around in case one day I decide to jump back on the bandwagon. Interesting to see others may feel the same way.
Comment by azurienne — February 1, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Sounds like Trevor got all excited about the thought of taking Petite to bed in hardback …
Move on mate!
And to the petty whingers who don’t like what Petite is or isn’t blogging about; move on too.
Can’t wait to read your book in Australia.
If you’re blogging, I’m reading.
Comment by running thread — February 5, 2008 @ 1:51 am
Hi Petite,
Given you’re just about past the throes of publication, thought you might enjoy this video about the joys of working with an editor (or not!):
Cheers! and much good luck for the coming weeks;-)
Comment by France — February 5, 2008 @ 11:55 am