Michelle Mason talks to us about her debut novel, Behind the Portrait, set in 1930’s Paris in the bohemian world of writers, jazz musicians and avant-garde artists.  

Michelle is an author, photographer and vintage dealer who writes about design, travel and art on her Substack Love Vintage etc.  Her popular online vintage shop Mason & Painter sells antiques, vintage art, home decor and vintage furniture pieces.   

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your career as a stylist and a curator of decorative antiques, vintage paintings and furniture?

I graduated with an arts degree and went to work for the National Gallery straight after university. I designed print and 3D graphics for the exhibitions. From there I worked for various galleries and publishing houses as a graphic designer and eventually went freelance before changing direction entirely and opening a vintage shop. I filled the shop with decorative antiques, furniture and vintage paintings and the styling and photography came about quite organically, as a result of posting on social media.

Q: You’ve published four non-fiction books, what made you decide to write your first novel, Behind the Portrait?

The four non-fiction books were fantastic to work on though logistically very different as I did my own photography. The novel started life as an idea about artists in the 1930s and grew to around 5,000 words. It didn’t go much beyond that and I left it untouched for a good few months. When I picked it up again I wasn’t writing to any specific deadline or contract so I added to it whenever I had the time. I went on a very short novel writing course and had an editor look over what I had written, and from there I carried on until I felt happy with the ending.

Q: How did you find the process of writing fiction, versus non-fiction?

I enjoyed the fiction because it meant that I could really indulge my imagination and pull in all the ideas, notes and scribbles that I’d been carrying around for months, sometimes years. I loved the process of building the characters, getting to know them, what they would say and how they would react. It felt like a very large collage and the process of putting it all together and moving the different parts around until they felt right, was fascinating.

Q: Why did you choose Whitefox as a publishing partner and how did you find the process of working with us to bring the book to life?

The previous four books were all traditionally published and I’d been thinking about alternatives for a while. I met the Whitefox team at a talk by Emma Gannon and it went from there. I’ve really enjoyed the whole process with Whitefox from working with the different editors, the re-writes, the suggestions, the cover design, and of course my project manager, Kiana, who has been an absolute joy to work with.

Q: Did some of the fascinating people and stories you’ve encountered during your career provide inspiration for the plot of Behind the Portrait?

Definitely. Some of the experiences of working within the museum and gallery sector helped provide inspiration and also meeting many artists along the way. Also looking at appreciating art and knowing first hand what it’s like to draw or paint (my first degree was illustration).

Q:  What are your top priorities when it comes to marketing and promoting the book, and how are your existing channels like Substack and Instagram helping you to spread the word?

I’m a great supporter of independent shops and small businesses and I’m looking to promote the book within independent bookshops through talks and signings. And I’m planning a book tour for September. I have a lovely, supportive network of followers on Instagram and Substack who enjoy vintage and art so, hopefully, the novel will tap into that… especially with the historical fiction and art themes.

Q: Do you have plans to write more books?

I would love to do another book. Whether that’s non-fiction or another novel. Funnily enough, one the reviewers actually said: I cannot wait for part two…..

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