Book "HORIZON" now available
- Emilie Mori
- Dec 4, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 12
The self-publishing experience
Creating a photo book was a personal goal in 2024, postponed several times. For this first book, I took the time to review my editing and reorganize 12 years of work. Here's a look back at the milestones of this adventure, and a few pointers for those considering the self-publishing experience.
January to March: Editing
I wanted to bring together this decade of photographic experimentation and collage into a tangible object. Revisiting this editorial process, sorting and reorganizing hundreds of images, enabled me to better define the story I wanted to tell.
March to May: Layout, a demanding job, even for a graphic designer
Even though I'm a graphic designer and art director, I spent 3 months full-time over the course of a year finalizing the layout. Working for yourself is very different: adjustments take time. Although I've produced a number of more complex books for clients, I thought I'd have them ready in 6 months at most. But in the end, the whole process took 1 year. A real lesson in patience.
September: Retroplanning: Always think big!
The project really got underway in March 2024, with quotes and a first version of the layout. Everything seemed to be going well, but in October, just before launching my campaign on KissKissBankBank, I realized that the initial design didn't suit me. As a result, I had to redesign the whole thing! Fortunately, the timing was respected :)
October: Talking about your work, even when it's difficult
Promoting a book when you're shy isn't easy. As someone who prefers to remain discreet, I had to overcome this fear to show this project. Talking about your work isn't bragging, it's giving it a chance to exist.
November: Printing
I wanted “HORIZON” to be printed in France, and I found a printing house in the Toulouse region that met my expectations. My budget didn't allow for a hard cover, but the flexible version with gilding turned out to be perfect: light, practical to carry around. Printing is a compromise between budget and ambition. The most important thing is that the final object corresponds to your world and what you want to convey.
December: The launch event
To celebrate the release of “HORIZON”, I'm organizing a convivial get-together on Saturday, December 7, 2024. It's my way of thanking all those who have supported this project, sharing a moment with other enthusiasts and chatting over a drink.
End 2024: Take the time and dare to move forward
I had set myself the target of releasing my first book in 2022. Then I put it off a number of times. Procrastination often stems from imposter syndrome, the fear of not feeling legitimate. Every action, however imperfect, is an essential step in the construction of one's artistic career.
