Melissa Clark Bacon was raised and stayed in Little Rock, Arkansas. She writes stories and makes photographs using historic and alternative printing processes. Her short story, The Handkerchief, where her character Millie first appears, won Best in Show Adult Fiction Short Story at the Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts. Her current creative work focuses on revealing unnoticed women from the past through captivating stories and photographs that aspire to elevate their contributions and offer them up as role models to women today. Through Her Lens is her debut novel.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
For most of my novel’s journey, the book had the working title Through the Lens. Because this is a technical photography term, it made searching for the book online tiresome, so I went looking for a new name. I reached out to my early readers and one came through. John, a friend from Denver, suggested changing the “the” to “her” and suddenly I had my title. It was perfect and I only had to drop the “t” and add the “r.”
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
Because I love books as objects as well as a vehicle for telling a story, it thrilled me to see the final product come to life and feel the weight of the book in my hands. The cover exceeded my expectations.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I decided to try my hand at writing after years of being a reader. I host book clubs for middle-grade readers and high schoolers and my readers wanted a story with a stronger female protagonist. I did my research and got the first draft completed only to realize I needed to elevate my writing game. So, I went in search of workshops and conferences that focused on the craft of writing. I met many inspiring writers. I also dug back into my favorite writers’ novels: Tracy Chevalier for strong historical women’s stories, and Larry McMurtry and Pat Conroy for delightful and flawed characters.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
My first love is fine art photography. My best hours are spent in my darkroom, imagining creative ways to elevate women through practices that have traditionally been undervalued. Currently, I am creating a collection of cyanotype images that are printed on watercolor paper cut to mimic croqueted doilies and embellished with embroidery.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Working with my developmental editor, Trista Edwards, was hands down the best part of the process. Having read about the relationship between many of our literary greats and their editors, I longed to participate in the process. It did not disappoint and my story is better because of it.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
As I wrote I listened to a lot of swelling movie soundtracks. John Williams and Hans Zimmer’s work inspired me the most. Most of the scenes would best be read with music with no words like their quiet and soaring melodies, but there are times when jazz and boogie-woogie would be better—something with blasting trumpet and at times a crooner. Finally, toward the end of the novel, there is room for Scottish folk music, including anything from Hanneke Cassel.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
I hope they come to understand that women played a crucial role in WWII and that only they can write the ending to their own stories.
What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?
Most of my time right now is spent in the darkroom for my art show in July. In my spare time, I am researching whiskey runners. I think these women would make great characters.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
I found the process fulfilling and yes, I would recommend this publishing journey to others. It was wonderful having control over my work while being supported by experts.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.