Last Tuesday morning as I arrived at the office bright and early for a meeting first thing my colleagues greeted me with expectant looks and smiles. I was momentarily taken aback; could this mean what I thought it meant? 'Is it here?' I squealed. I hadn't been expecting it until at least midday. They indicated to a package that had been waiting on my chair. It was here. I picked up the package and sat down. As I held it in my hands I paused, holding my breath. This was it; after years of hard work I would finally hold my own book in my hands. The nervous anticipation I'd had for weeks came rushing back to me; the fine line between excitement and sheer terror blurring as it does when your car ascends the rollercoaster ride and your knuckles whiten as you get closer to the top before the sharp drop. With heart in mouth I opened the package and pulled out the hardback book inside. I ran my fingers over the cover and read the words 'A Slice of Cherry Pie'. I beamed.
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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. Read post.
If you follow me on Twitter you'll have heard lots of tweets over the past few months about the development of 'A Slice of Cherry Pie' the cookbook, along with various conversations and banter with my publisher 'Absolute Press' who are also now on Twitter (www.twitter.com/absolute_press). You’ll therefore probably have a fair idea of where I am with the book, but I thought it was about time I updated everyone on the blog and gave a little more insight into the publishing process and the journey I'm on, as I know so many of you are interested this aspect.So, where am I? Read post.
I’ve been conscious that it’s been a while since my last blog post but I was rather taken aback when I saw that it’s been almost two weeks. Where on earth has the time gone? It’s most definitely time for a quick update.Aside from being incredibly busy at work, I’ve of course been working hard on the book, writing and testing recipes and weaving them together with words in the chapters. The other day I printed out the manuscript, or rather, typescript, as the Art Director at Absolute Press pointed out to me that it's now known as (sorry Matt!) and as I read through it I, dare I say, quite liked what I'd written. Not all of it, naturally, and the pen was busy with crossing out and adding words, but nether the less I felt that this was a book in the making that I, at least, would like. And I guess that's the best I can do. I'm something of a perfectionist and as such I'm my own worst critic, so this was a rare and nice moment for me. Read post.
Firstly thank you all so much for all the good wishes for the book. I really do have the loveliest readers and food blogging friends in the world. I promised to share with you some of my experiences of writing this book and I’d like to give you some inside info. on the world of publishing too. Where better to start than with the fabulous lunch meeting I had with my publisher yesterday? Read post.