A couple of months ago, I received an email.
It was around 4 PM, during that lull in the afternoon when one contemplates devouring a carb-laden chocolate chip muffin or a handful of almonds. I chose neither, as I became instantly distracted by an unexpected message.
No, I didn’t win a free cruise on Royal Caribbean (although, how I got on their mailing list is mind boggling) and no, the mortgage fairy has not opted to pay off my house in full- it was the editors of Page Street Publishing, and their proposal, who caught my attention.
“I think we can write a great cookbook together…”
What?!
There was no one around, except the cat, who only looked up from his precious nap to blink. Twice.
So, here’s the deal: I proceeded with caution.
I’ve had offers in the past. A good handful of offers to be exact, but they never felt right. I contemplated revealing the details in the sentences to follow, wondering if someone out there has had a similar experience. The publishing world is foreign to me. But my instincts told me otherwise, to keep the details anonymous, in fear of unintentionally burning my bridges somehow. You just never know.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the recognition.
But as enticing as it all sounded, a cookbook displayed at Barnes and Nobles nestled in between Ina and Mario, I just couldn’t commit.
So, now what?
What I want, is to expand into something tangible. Something that you can feel in your hands, take to bed at night and get lost- spills, stains and all.
You’re talking to the girl who only watched cooking shows when she was little (Frugal Gourmet, anyone?), walked out of her corporate job to go to culinary school (best decision ever), and wakes up in the middle of the night to feed her sourdough starter because she just can’t bare the thought of spaghetti and meat sauce without fresh bread for dunking.
It has to be right.
And that time is now.
For the past 2 months, I’ve been cooking, writing, styling and photographing my very first cookbook!
I chose to keep it a secret at first, sort of like finding out that you’re pregnant; you’re excited, but not ready to announce.
And the book writing process has been great so far.
Initially, I thought my publisher (which by the way is a division of Macmillan- they published my elementary school textbooks, OK?!) was going to be like: “Here’s your book deal, go write it, and then we’ll change the entire thing.”
But my experience has been quite the opposite.
It’s very much a collaborative effort. And I wasn’t expecting that. I can also tell you that writing a cookbook has been a true test of my discipline as well. There’s no time for excuses. You dive right in, regardless of less than ‘ideal’ conditions.
Please… you know about my oven with the hook, right? Ugh.
And so, as much as I want to disclose more about the book, that would be very anticlimactic.
But I will tell you this- there will be a picture for every recipe. You will learn something valuable. And most of all, the pages will reflect who I am.
My cookbook will be published in Spring 2016.
In the meantime, I invite you to join me on this incredible, exciting and nerve-wracking journey!
xo Emilie
Comments
kristy.rhine@yahoo.com says
I look forward to your cookbook! Your food looks amazing, great job and how exciting to read a little about you and why you started blogging. I look forward to reading more from you.
Michelle Braxton says
I am super late in my comment to this, because I didn’t know up until this point. But congrats to you! I sooooo look forward to buying your cookbook! That is so awesome and inspiring to say the least!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Emilie!! I am so happy for you! You totally deserve to write a cookbook – one that you’ve thought of and believe in – and I’m rooting for you! Keep on being such a wonderful inspiration!
Celia Rodee says
You had me at ‘a picture for every recipe’ and the fact that you think about the need for fresh bread with your pasta. My kind of cooking chick!
Emilie says
Hooray! Great minds ;)
Del's cooking twist says
How could I miss such an exciting news! Thanks for sharing these happy moments with us. I felt over happy myself just by reading you!! Congratulations, Emilie! :)
Jayme Henderson says
Emilieeeeeee! I am so late in congratulating you! I’ve been out of the email-, blog-, and internets-worlds, and it has been kind of nice. I’m gradually getting back in. I am beyond excited for your cookbook. If there is a pre-release, count me in! I have no idea the amount of excitement you have – I know it is a long time coming, and you deserve it! I have always wondered how one goes about choosing the “right fit” for a publisher. It sounds like you made the right call, and I’m glad your cat approves. I always look for my kitties’ approval. I get it about 5% of the time, but it is always worth it. Ha!
I can’t wait to find out about the Saveur Awards, either. Here’s crossing my fingers for you. Lots of love for you, lady. XOXOXOXXOX!!!!!
Emilie says
Ah! This was such a sweet message to wake up to Jayme! Thank you so, so much!!! xoxo
Anna says
omg congratulations!!!!
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Debbie says
Congrats! I am catching up on all my e-mails (been busy…celebrating turning 60 with my twin brother and biking together in the NYC 5 Boro Bike tour to celebrate the milestone! ) I wrote a previous comment (on a later post) about how much I love your recipes and photographs, but failed to mention how much I love your writing too! I wish you all the best!!
laurasmess says
Oh my GOSH Emilie!!!! So excited for you!
So well deserved. Cannot wait to see how it proceeds (and definitely, most definitely, will I be putting in an advance order!).
Love what you do. You’re beautiful inside and out, and I know that this cookbook will be a treasured volume for many families in the years to come xoxo
Emilie says
Thank you my darling! You are so, so sweet. Ugh, sending you the biggest hug and squeeze right now! xoxo
Pam Green says
Photos for every recipe! YES YES YES!
Emily says
How exciting! Congrats Emilie! I adore your recipes, and cannot wait for the book! Bravo xoxo Emily
Emilie says
Hi Emily (great name lol)! Thank you so much! xo
Carly @ The Cozy Table says
Congrats, girl! So excited for you! What an accomplishment after all of your hard work. I cannot wait to buy a copy of your first (of many I’m sure) cookbook!!
jaime : the briny says
you’re a beautiful, wonderful soul and it makes me so glad to hear you’ve found something that feels right to you, especially in a realm that can be so tricky. congratulations and I am so happy to be cheering for you from my little corner of the world.
Emilie says
Jaime, you just gave me goosebumps. You are so, so sweet and your support is incredible. Really, I can’t thank you enough for this message! Lots of love! xoxo
francesca says
oh oven pin! We have something similar in that, our oven, actually is a glorified microwave neither microwaving -or- ovening properly. But this is so exciting! and a huge congrats on your new bun :D
Emilie says
Oh no! That’s hilarious. We can be miserable together! Why is it that these appliances never want to break? Ugh. I’m just waiting…patiently. Thank you so much, Francesca! :) xoxo
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Such fabulous news!! Congratulations on a cookbook. I’ll absolutely be making room on the shelf for it.
Emilie says
Aimee! So great to see you here! I’m waiting for your book as we speak… thank goodness for Amazon prime ;)
Sherrie says
Oh, oh, oh I’m so excited about this Emilie — so many congratulations to you my friend. So well deserved, this is going to be a beaut. I can’t wait to give you a congratulatory hug in June, xo! ;)
Celia says
I am still over-the-moon squealing with excitement happy for you!!!! Best thing ever for the best faraway friend ever xxx
Heidi @foodiecrush says
Congratulations! I can only imagine the beauty it will be.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
can I form part of your experimental group — you know, be in the test kitchen? I’ll hang out by the hook and promise not to get in your way or even say a word (I can be quiet like that). I’ll even bring some cold beer for us! Ah, Emilie, this is such great news and I hope you’re over the moon about it because it sounds like you’ve negotiated a very solid contract for yourself girl — that’s what I like to hear! And I must also tell you that the writing and artwork on your composition book touched my heart as much as your news… you have some talented, loving boys there. Precious. Congratulations!! Enjoy the journey, xx
Mike Higbee says
Congratulations! We can’t wait to add your cookbook to our collection and give it to our friends!
Bravo Emilie!
Steph Fizer Coleman says
Congrats to you! I’ve been quietly reading your blog for about a year and just love your writing and your photography. I’m sure this cookbook is going to be wonderful!
Aysegul says
Such wonderful news. I’d buy that book! :)
You have so much to be proud of. Wishing you all the success in your endeavors.
Feel free to reach out if you need a recipe taster.
Congratulations!
nancyabc says
Well I have just recently found your blog but I wish you all the best in the world.
Renata Moreti says
Amazing news! Congrats! Very well deserved, for the great blogger and cooker you are. But, most of all, for the great brave woman you are! Can’t wait for this!!! :-)
Anne says
how exciting! I’m sure it will be fabulous.
Beverley says
Emilie I am so so excited for you that is very exciting news, it’s going to be a beautiful book xoxo
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This is absolutely fantastic news! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on your book!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
So thrilled for you, what an exciting time! :)
Kaysie says
Wow, congratulations! I can’t even fathom the joy of opening an email like that — not only are you being recognized for your kitchenskillz, but also for your writing! This sounds like a dream come true and I can’t wait to flip through those pages!
Natasa | My daily sourdough bread says
Way to go, Emilie!! Congratulations, I’m looking forward to your book :) And I love it how much attention you pay to you intuituon.
Christine // my natural kitchen says
Congratulations Emilie!!! Such exciting and happy news!!! :)
Laney (Ortensia Blu) says
Congratulations Emilie that’s absolutely amazing! But I am so not surprised in the least bit because this is for sure what you are meant to do! Can’t wait until it’s published (and of course am always willing to test any of your fab recipes) xo
Tory says
that’s so exciting! congratulations! i look forward to it.
Sofia // From the Land we Live on says
Congratulations, Emilie!!!! :))) So exciting! I can’t wait to make it a part of my collection.
Maria says
How wonderful! Congratulations!
Stephanie says
Congratulations! This is so EXCITING!! Wishing you all the best during this experience. I can’t wait to get my own copy :)
Ruby88 says
Emilie, what a wonderful surprise to find in my inbox today! How exciting. And to think this can be done with that oven? LOL It will be great memories to look back on. How exciting for you and for us.
Well deserved. Looking forward to your adventures !
Cindy Lucarotti says
I am thrilled for you AND for all of us that get to own your cook book! Can hardly wait!!
Diane says
It’s going to be fabulous! I can hardly wait. And for those of us who read a cookbook like a novel, well…this will be the to-die-for-dessert! Congratulations Emilie!
Emilie says
Ah, I am the same way. That’s how I read my cookbooks! And you are too sweet, really. Thank you so much Diane! xo
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
This is so exciting, congrats!! I can’t wait to see the final product!
Emilie says
Hi Abby, thank you! xo
Liz says
Congrats to you – wonderful and be proud of your accomplishments. Have a great day!
Emilie says
Hi Liz! Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day as well! xo
Christine says
Congrats Emilie!
I’ll be adding it it to my collection for sure!
Many blessings to you!
~Christine Buchalski -Spataro
Emilie says
Christie! Oh, my goodness!! Side convo happening right now- check your inbox. Miss you! Can’t wait to catch up! xoxo
Kaity says
This is so wonderful Em!!!! Congrats and best wishes on this exciting journey! This is my dream! Lots of love -Kaity
Emilie says
You’re so sweet Kaity, thank you! I have a feeling yours will come true as well- you’re a wonderful artist and creator. xoxo
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Oh. My. Goodness. I am beyond excited, thrilled and full of anticipation to have a cookbook, written by YOU in my hands! This is an incredible, fabulous, exciting… were you bursting at the seams?…. deal, Emilie! You’ve had your hands full for the past several months… quietly working away, creating, for us, in your kitchen. Perhaps you can get that oven door repaired after your book is done.. k? #priorities Yeeeee!!!! I wait… patiently.
Emilie says
Totally bursting at the seams. Honestly Traci, it hasn’t been an easy road. But this partnership is exactly what I was looking for and I’m super excited to be on this journey. It’s a whole new realm of creativity, that’s for sure. Yeah, and my oven? Oh, it’s Pandora’s box. If get rid of that dinosaur I’ll have a huge hole in the wall- it’s a double oven, you know. And then, my cabinets are so old I can’t reface them- it’s like putting lipstick on a pig! So I wait… I wait until something breaks so that I’m forced into renovation! ;)
Susanne says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So proud you, Emilie! Happy writing and creating! And most especially, enjoy the journey. XO
Emilie says
Thank you Susanne! I’m super excited for this journey, and to collaborate! It’s going to be a lot of fun ;)