Besides entering the radiology field, it seems I've also obtained another one of my childhood dreams. Nope, still not a dinosaur or a mermaid yet. Because it's my birthday, which means I can do as I please (I definitely did not eat pie for breakfast in bed before work this morning), I found it fitting to announce that I'm about to become a published author! Yes my friends, I'm writing a cookbook. For you.
It will be out around April 2016. I know that seems like forever, but I've been working on it since the beginning of this year and you know how these things go. The best things in life take time. Wait no, that's not how it goes. Anyways, I couldn't be more thrilled that it's being published by (drumroll please) a division of Macmillan(!!!), Page Street Publishing. My eyes almost fell out of my head.
I bet, much like myself, you're wondering how this may have happened to a small-time little Alaskan girl. Well, I'll tell you. For some time now I've been sporadically contacted be several publishers, "If you ever want to write a cookbook, please give us a call!" I would politely write back, thanking them for their offer but at this time I am much too busy to put in the effort necessary. Who has time to write a cookbook when you're building a house? And I mean literally chopping down the trees, goddamner. Is there time to tackle publishing a book when one already has a full-time job as Protector of Boobs? I just came up with that and really like it. Noted. Not to mention, I get frazzled easily, especially with timelines.
Nah, it's not for me. I'd seriously doubted I was talented enough, determined enough, and just plain confident enough to be a genuine author. But then, it struck me...I've been writing and developing recipes this entire time for Produce On Parade! For two years! I could definitely write a cookbook, and soon I wanted to! I really wanted to. Wait though, I thought, aren't there enough vegan cookbooks out there? Trick question. The answer to that is, of course, never. But what did I have to offer?
Well for that, you'll have to check out the book, but I can tell you that it will be filled with beautiful photography and dishes that are accessible and approachable by everyone. Meals you'll be proud to make your family and serve sneakily to your unbeknownst omnivore friends. My book will feature wholesome recipes with a bit less of the typical vegan substitutes like vegan butter, vegan sour cream, and hard to access ingredients, etc. However, there'll still be some of those recipes so don't fret! Seriously, vegan marshmallows need a place in my life.
This is an unbelievably exciting opportunity. It wouldn't of happened without Sarah and Will over at Page Street calling me up one day and inviting me to write a cookbook. I must have said yes because four months later here I am! If you've noticed I've been making little more than cameos here on Produce On Parade, it's because I've been recipe developing and photographing for the book. I'm not a risk taker and usually need a lot of prodding to step outside my zone of comfort. I don't like to do things until I've mastered them and I hate feeling vulnerable. That being said, I am I so overjoyed that I decided to take this leap.
I want to know what kinds recipes YOU want in the book. Please, tell me what recipes you'd look forward to seeing. I want you to be a part of this cookbook. It's for you after all. If it wasn't for my amazing readers, none of this would be possible. I'll keep you posted on all the good details as the year passes. Thank you for supporting and believing in me!