E.10 Featuring Jessie Kanelos How to get published by major brands and thrive as a creative entrepreneur in Paris

 

Are you an aspiring artist who wants to figure out how to make your creative endeavors your full-time job?

Jessie Kanelos, who says that “From a very early age, I found that creativity was my first form of independence”, moved to Paris and did just that.

Jessie is an author, illustrator and food-stylist who was drawn to the world of art and design very early on. After college, she moved to Paris first as an au pair and was later able to move back to pursue her passion in art full-time. She is the author of the book “Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide” and “Edible Paradise: A Coloring Book of Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables”. Her work has been featured in Free People, Vogue, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair France and many other major places.

Listen to this week’s episode of the SHTW talk-show where Jessie talks about what inspires her art, how she dealt with the learning curve of pursing a creative career in a whole new country, and how she encouraged herself to keep pushing forward amidst a lot of waiting and rejection towards the beginning. Jessie also gives five wonderful tips for creatives on how they can get published, as well as some resources for contacting editors and making sure you know your monetary worth for your creative work.

 

Paris In Stride

JESSIE’S 5 TIPS ON HOW TO GET PUBLISHED BY MAJOR BRANDS AND THRIVE AS A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR IN PARIS


1.) "Be somebody". Be an expert in your field, start a solid platform and share your work as much as possible. It's a selling point for publishing houses.

 

2.) "Do your research and stay curious". Stay on top of what other people are doing in your field and be proactive when you find a good idea. I noticed the adult coloring book trend in France 5 years ago and pitched a coloring book idea to an editor in the States. A week later, there were articles in The New York Times and all over the American media about it. The timeliness sold the idea and it's how I got my first US book deal. 

 

3.) "Ask for help." Hire an agent.  Writing a book is stressful but it's advantageous to have someone else on board with your best interest in mind and who knows the industry. And find support during the process whether it's other writers or creatives. 

 

4.) "Don't assume anything." I've heard that 80% of books don't make any money. The chances are grim especially as publishing changes everyday and there are fewer and fewer places to buy books. Writing a book is a huge privilege, but check your expectations ahead of time so you don't get disappointed if it doesn't end up being a bestseller.

 

5.) "It's not over till it's over". Just because you've turned in a manuscript doesn't mean that your work is done. Unless you are Dan Brown, publishers rely extensively on authors to sell their books and get as much coverage as possible. Budget in time to do the promotional work required, start publishing work related to the book and don't be afraid to call friends for favors.

You can learn more about Jessie’s work and support her below:

Website: http://jessiekanelosweiner.com/

Blog: https://thefrancofly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiekanelosweiner/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/thefrancofly/

Pigeon chair_Jessie Kanelos Weiner for Away.jpg
 

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