November 04, 2007hi theremy pal katie has released the second issue of her zine, so you need to buy it. like right now. or i'll know, and i'll shake my head very slowly at you in sadness and disbelief. if you don't believe me, just try it. i actually wasn't going to write a blog entry today, because i kinda sorta wrote one last night, even though it was just a plea for recipes. but also because i wasn't in the mood because i spent most of today feeling pretty grouchy. judging by traffic to the site, i'm guessing that a lot of you are coming here wondering if i'm going to post anything about the fact that lolo backed out of her book deal just before going to press. since i'm also (or, rather, still) publishing my book with herbivore, you probably suspected that i have opinions about this, and you are right. however, what happened between the two of them is none of my business, and it's none of yours, either. i am extremely sad for my friends, because i know how much energy and money had already been invested in this project, neither of which will now be recouped, and that is a real shame. what i really want for you to know is that my experience with herbivore has been nothing short of idyllic. for an unpublished writer such as myself to be able to put out a cookbook where i had so much creative control is completely unprecedented. not a single word of my writing was changed, other than for spelling or grammar; my thoughts and ideas were truly valued and incorporated; i hand-picked the person who would be illustrating my book; i said, "i'd really love for there to be a photo for the majority of the recipes in the book," and instead of replying, "how about the best 15 recipes?" he said, "how about all of them? and how about full color?" the world of publishing doesn't often take risks with vegetarian cookbooks, and the few publishing companies out there that do put out a lot of veg cookbooks... well, let's just say that they leave a lot to be desired. if you'd like to run over to your bookshelf and pull out your vegan cookbooks, let me know how many of them are well-designed, with beautiful typography, and are in full color with over 40 food photos. actually, let me know how many of them are actually attractive at all to look at. i know that most of the ones on my shelf are dead ugly, and when i cook from them, i have to guess at what the finished result of the recipe will look like. i wanted more for my book, and so did herbivore, and the result is that when i hold my cookbook in my hands in a few weeks, i will be truly proud of all the work that went into it, and i will know that i didn't have to compromise myself or my recipes to get what i wanted. that is an awesome feeling! i'm sorry if this entry didn't contain more fodder for gossip but i do hope that it will encourage you to support businesses like herbivore, where they truly care more about putting out quality products and supporting our fledgling community than they do about the bottom line or the extra dollar to line their pockets. they are a rarity and deserve your respect, and your dough! i feel honored just to be associated with them, and to have had them put so much faith in me and my food.
posted by joanna @ 8:35 PM
13 Comments:
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i don't see a link to your friends zine, joanna? i'm curious!
--kelly
click on "right now." my link color isn't different enough from my text color, is it? i'm gonna fix that right now. thanks, kellbell!
I have faith in you and your food!
I ordered katie's 'zine as soon as the links were activated! Can't wait til it comes out. Bummer about Lolo's book, but I am still so excited for yours. And Kudos to you for being diplomatic and not a gossip.
this is a nice post.
xo
kittee
Joanna, you are awesome. Your book is awesome. Joshivore is awesome, most of the time. And while i'm at it: Jess, Joni, and Kittee are all awesome as well.
Why do I hear someone singing Kumbaya?
Seriously, Joanna. They don't call me Isa "dollarabook" Moskowitz for nothing. Not to mention I have to fight tooth and nail for any creative input. And forget full color. I can't wait for your book and whatever other books Herbivore puts out. And Herbivore DOES put out, belieeeve me.
hey you guys. group hug. playground. tomorrow before lunch. be there.
joanna- i am SO lame! you're talking about mrsbadmouth katie's zine, i should have known that, since i had just ordered it! hah.
and my grandma always called me kellbell <3
i'll join the group hug to say that i think you're pretty freakin rad as well. And Herbivore is freakin rad. You put it so well.
And just to make up for the hit of Josh and Michelle are taking, and because everyone needs to know what a recipe genius you are, I bought a second copy of your book tonight to give a lucky (undecided at this point) person for a xmas gift!
xo
can't wait for you book to come out, jo-jo! (i've started calling people's nicknames twice....key-key....rinn-rinn.....kim-kim....it's fun, try it)
i haven't preordered yet, but as you know, i'm a procrastinator.....
I am more than stoked for you book joannes, In fact I'm now ordering two.
Herbivore is a great store run by great people, my love goes out to josh and michelle those kids warm my heart. And they really do deserve your hard earned cash.
I'm also stoked to get my issue two of DEOTSW, Go Katie! And much love and promos to her too.
Thanks for the post Joanna, oh and I am having some baby/mommy goodies sent to you! So double congrats
<3
xox
I originally got over to the Herbivore pre-ordering to get Lolo's book but decided to get yours as well for a good deal, even though I hadn't really checked out your blog as much. I am SO GLAD I did. I love your book and it is beautiful (and friendly and witty). I am really stoked that there is a recipe using kasha because I bought a bunch without really knowing what I was going to do with it... :) I love the pictures and the recipes are just right -- creative and new and fun but not too complicated.