In this week's Endnotes, we take a look at Taylor Swift (Hearst Home, Oct.), which looks at the pop icon's life, music, and evolution.
Here's how the book came together.
Jacqueline Deval, VP and Publisher, Hearst Books
“Rather than take agent submissions, we originate our titles by tapping into the Hearst Magazines archives and build books on that foundation. The idea behind the book is to reveal—in words and beautiful pictures—how and why the superstar has become a cultural phenom.”
Nicole Fisher, Deputy Director and Editor, Hearst Books
“We wanted to celebrate Swift’s journey from country star to global icon, and we dug into the archives for stunning photos and stories. We also teamed up with packager Indelible Editions to get fresh insights from music and culture experts to craft a narrative that captures Taylor’s artistic evolution and powerful influence.”
Zachariah Mattheus, Creative Director, Hearst Magazines
“For the cover, we ran a design competition with our in-house creative team. Everyone brought a unique perspective on how they envisioned it. In the end, we chose the striking black-and-white Polaroids with the single color photo to draw fans in.”
Caroline Pickering, Cover Designer, Hearst Magazines
“I developed four different design directions. Just as the book takes the reader through her journey as an artist and how, along the way, she fought to own her narrative, the cover hints at the joy she takes in being herself—in her music and in her life.”
Ben Jhoty, Contributor
“With Swift reaching Princess Diana levels of fame, I wanted to apply a historical lens to her pop-cultural dominance, comparing her to other all-time-great recording artists. What’s unique about Swift’s career is that it’s spilled over into many other domains, such as fashion, sports, and politics. My aim was to chart the sheer size and breadth of her influence and success.”
