Madame Simone returns…
Fun update from Fiona’s noblogs page on the selling out and reprint of her journal, Madame Simone:
“Little bit of fun news.. Madame Simone is available again! What a pleasant little surprise this has been...
When I first decided to publish Madame Simone in English, I genuinely did not expect much interest in the English speaking world. Looking back, I probably should have done it years ago. For whatever reason, I imagined there would be only a tiny audience for an individualiste journal of this sort, et an even smaller one for the diary of a woman 'of a certain age' leading the sort of life I do. A rather niche proposition, tout de même….
… But to my surprise, the first U.S. printing sold out within a week. What joy! I will continue to write them in English as well then. As you know, each issue is limited, but good news: if you did not manage to get a copy yet, you have not missed out. Bacchus Editions has completed a second printing, considerably larger than the first. The issues remain limited and, once a particular issue is gone, it is gone. Still, with the new website just now open and new visitors arriving, it seemed only fair to make more copies available. Voilà, here they are!
I must say, I never tire of seeing stacks of fresh-off-the-press books. Crisp, élégant, still carrying the scent of paper and ink... j'adore! There is something deeply satisfying about it.
Oh, speaking of the object itself, more good news. I recently had a lovely little coup de chance and established a relationship with a distributor carrying French Paper stock, which I have admired for years. So their beautiful papers will be appearing in many future projects. Très exciting as we all want nice feeling books.
For those unfamiliar with Madame Simone: it is, at heart, simply an honest account of one woman's life. Alongside essays et reflections appear cancelled invitations, reader notices, classifieds, diary pages from travels and various absurdities. Some are serious essays, some are ridiculous ventures. There are recurring amusements I have grown quite fond of: petits notices, impossible invitations, curious announcements, and other oddments. One of the most fun aspects since appearing in English has been seeing readers from all over begin sending in contributions of their own. Notices, personals, jokes, cancelled invitations, et ainsi de suite.
The journal is slowly becoming a peculiar little correspondence between like-minded strangers in the states now too. The... "anarchist seeking anarchist" ads arriving lately are ridiculousness et much fun. I adore it. Thosee contributions will be appearing in the next issue, so do keep sending them in and be sure to let me know if you want your name appearing with them or not.
What fun we are having, non ?!
Merci to everyone who picked up the first printing, sent a little "keep it going," et "nice to see you all still at it," note in. What a sweet welcome. The strange little journal continues.
Enough from me. The second printing has arrived and copies are now available again here:
Amour sans fin, et tous les ennuis qui l'accompagnent,
Xo,
Fíona “