My book contract!

So… I got a book contract with the History Press. I am excited. Happy. Slightly terrified. And GEARED UP!

It will be a history of New Orleans street signs. I will be writing the text and shooting the photographs.

I know I will write about it and its progress more in the future, but in the meantime here is a little something about it. This was in my proposal and will not be in the book, and the title may change:

New Orleans crosses with Hope, Pleasure, and Duels. Religious couples with Nuns, Market, and Orange. Success, Easy and Prosperity are stacked on top of each other and Piety and Desire are horizontal. These are just a sample of the sui generis names of New Orleans streets. The city’s street names are inseparable from its heterogeneous history, and not only serve as guideposts but as a narrative that braids its pride, its witticism, and even its nepotism into a complex web that to this day serves as a cultural and social identifier and divider. Hope and New Orleans will cover the origins of the famous and lesser-known streets – often humorous, sometimes bittersweet, and oddly unintentionally appropriate – in text and photographs. For example, Bourbon Street, which is world renowned for its hedonism and decadent consumption of alcohol, was actually named after one of the royal houses of France. Both the common street signs standing guard over aged corners as well as the classic blue and white tiles bookending sidewalks will be represented. These photographs will exhibit the streets’ placement within the vibrant civic and social life, coursing through the urban environment and among the elegant and stately oaks and architecture alike. My book will give readers not only a beautiful visual impression but also a rich historical context of the city’s streets.

Look for it in March 2014!

Despite years of hard work, everything happened very quickly. From the time I wrote the proposal to the time I was offered the contract was only about 12 days. The best news is – I really like my editor and am excited to be working with her.

Big thanks to John Haffner, Trixie, Glenn May, and Scott Frilot who all viewed the proposal and offered their support.

I was at work when I got the phone call and I stepped outside, remaining surprisingly calm. We talked statistics and deadlines. When I got off the phone, Trixie was coming out of the office to go to a meeting. I told her in a somewhat Jeff Spicoli manner – “hey, isn’t this cool.” Then I called and texted a few close friends, but it was the call to my parents that for some reason set me off.  I cried – and then I bawled. And my boss let me go home early because he thought someone had died (although I explained to him that was not the case).

Then I was off to celebrate at Crepe Nanou (one of my top three favorite restaurants in New Orleans), where some other strangely cosmic things occurred – which will be mentioned later.

The following week I made the announcement to a few friends while they were over for a Mardi Gras decorating party.

Years ago, when I worked in the French Quarter, I was given a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne. I made a vow then and there that I would not open it until I got a book contract. I have saved it ever since; it was the only thing I salvaged from my fridge after Katrina. It was a pretty emotional moment and needless to say, we did not get a lot of decorating done.

An oldie but a goodie - and still tasted great!

Trixie (who knew about the champagne and my announcement) gave the best quote of the night. “Wow, you knew this was going to be a photo opp and you went without makeup. Bold choice!” Actually that had slipped my mind – as did wearing an old plaid shirt.

Christy, Trix, Casual Sal, and Steph!

So begins the balancing act of working full-time, puppy mommy, doing art markets, going to graduate school, and writing a book under deadline. But I am ready!! I am just thankful I have an awesome job and an amazing legion of friends!