February 2010 Book Update

My goodness, 3 weeks since my last blog post. How time flies! I’m sorry for my extended absence without leave. Sadly I haven’t been away sunning myself but, aside from working hard 9-5, I have been doing something rather exciting: finalising the text of ‘A Slice of Cherry Pie’ with my editor and working with the creative geniuses at Absolute Press on the design of the book and food styling for the photography.

The book is really coming together now; the whole process has really picked up pace as all the elements come together. The editing process buffs and polishes the text, leaving the recipes clear and consise, and the design and photography seem to breathe life into the book. As Andrea, who is part of Absolute’s creative team, said, the book almost starts revealing itself to you. It’s as though the seed I have planted has been lovingly nutured, fed and watered by the team at Absolute and is now blossoming.

The editing process is going at a great pace and it should all be completed at the beginning of March. My brilliant editor, Jane Bamforth, has been sending me through queries chapter by chapter, which I have been working on and sending back. It’s so great to have such an experienced pair of eyes going over the recipes.

One of the most exciting parts of the whole process for me was being given a sneak peek of the cover for the book. Claire, who works closely with Matt on the design elements, has come up with a fabulous concept which is just perfect for the text and feel of the book.

Andrea has been working hard with Matt on planning the food styling for the photography. Like Matt, Claire, Jon and Meg, she entirely understands the feel of the book and we are so much on the same wavelength that I feel as though her ideas and thinking is a (much better!) extension of mine. Together, over email, we have pondered which recipes to select to give the right balance and distribution throughout the book, how they would be best shot and the best style to use. Between us and Matt we easily came to a consensus, which only highlights how much we are all in tune on the book. I feel very fortunate indeed to be working with them, and to have been able to input so much and to be given such creative license; it makes the book even more personal.

The ideas Andrea has come up with are really fabulous and I just know the photographs are going to look stunning, particularly as I am so very fortunate enough to have a very talented photographer working on them: Cristian Barnett, who has just recently finished working on The Hairy Bikers’ latest book. You can take a look at some of his work on his website www.crisbarnett.com. I can’t wait to see the finished shots of my own recipes!