Big News! I’m Writing a Book!
I’m writing a book!
I’ve been waiting almost my whole life to say that sentence. I’ve always wanted to write a book. When I was a kid I typed stories on my mom’s super awesome word processor machine. I majored in English in college. And I’ve daydreamed for years about writing a book about vegetable gardening. A book that is beautiful, and useful, and fun to read. And now I’m doing it!
“The Book” (as it is referred to in out house) is being published by Sasquatch Books and it is tentatively titled Grow. Cook. Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Kitchen Gardening. The basic idea behind the book is this: as a gardener you have access to really amazing, gourmet-quality food. Think heirloom tomatoes, purple tomatillos, garlic scapes, green coriander seed, radish tops, tender baby green beans, and squash blossoms. My goal is to help readers explore the diversity of food in their gardens, discover when and what to harvest, and use that food in the kitchen. So, the book is organized into individual guides for 50 vegetables, herbs, and small fruit and it has very specific growing, harvesting, and storage advice, plus each guide has a recipe and cooking tips.
Like all good things, this book is a collaboration and I am lucky enough to be working with a wonderful editor, Susan Roxborough, and the very talented photographer, Jim Henkens. Jim and I have been hard at work photographing the book this summer and I can tell you one thing: it is going to be gorgeous. Last week we shot photos for the cover and it was so fun. My friend Rachel, who is a talented stylist and owns Finch & Thistle Event Design, came to the shoot and helped everything just look lovely. Plus, she told jokes so I smiled for the camera (you can check out her behind the scenes shots here).
The book will be published in January 2012, which seems like a long way off, but I’m sure it will be here before we know it!
A book! That is great. Keep us posted on its progress. Enjoy the process.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:14 amCongratulations! That is fantastic and sounds like it will be a great book!
August 24th, 2010 at 10:33 amYay! So happy for you! Can’t wait!
August 24th, 2010 at 10:47 am.-= Ann´s last blog ..Blueberries in Bellevue =-.
Willi, I am so happy for you! Congrats and keep me posted on your progress.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:47 am.-= Jean Ann Van Krevelen´s last blog ..Rosa Rugosa- And You Thought You Couldnt Grow Roses! =-.
Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
August 24th, 2010 at 12:05 pmThe pic of the cherry tomatoes is gorgeous.
.-= Kate Kurtz´s last blog ..Kids come for a visit =-.
Congrats, Willi! I am sure it is going to be beautiful. Can’t wait to see it!
August 24th, 2010 at 1:21 pm.-= Heavy Petal´s last blog ..Plant your winter garden now =-.
I had heard about your upcoming book–on the radio show perhaps?? At any rate, I contacted Sasquatch Books to see if it would be available by this fall!! I received a lovely e-mail from Lisa, telling me how excited they are to be publishing your book; and that I’ll have to wait a year or so! It will be worth the wait, and I am so looking forward to the finished product. In our house you are known as “The Young Ruth Stout!” Quite an honor, I’d say!
August 24th, 2010 at 3:25 pmCongratulations. Sasquatch is qaulity…and turned me down flat! Good luck, I will definitely be purchasing
August 24th, 2010 at 4:03 pm.-= Donata´s last blog ..repost- Crab stack salad with tarragon vinaigrette and fennel =-.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to have a copy…..I know it will be wonderful.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:53 pmLove the title. you know I’m your biggest fan. Congrats. can’t wait to have you on my blog as a guest post or whatever you’d like if you’d like.
Also, those oven roasted tomatoes were sublime.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:30 pmI can’t wait for this book – these are my favorite kinds. It looks fabulous!
August 24th, 2010 at 6:36 pmYou’re just awesome and full of knowledge. I’m looking forward to the book and would love tips on keeping wonderful chickens out of the garden!
August 24th, 2010 at 7:29 pmBest of luck and success!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I look forward to buying this and going to a book signing here in Seattle! Good for you! And good for all of us who get to have a little piece of your knowledge on our shelves.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:41 pm.-= Jen S.´s last blog ..My New Fridge =-.
YAY! YAY! YAY! I CAN NOT WAIT! What an awesome experience. I’m so happy for you.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:47 pm.-= chassie´s last blog ..project dinner table =-.
Awesome!! Congratulations Willi!!! I can’t wait for your book. I love all your recipes and your beautiful blog. Best to you!! ~ Amy
August 24th, 2010 at 7:57 pmWOOT!Dancin! Yes, I am dancin!!Loving the fact you are doing a book but I had heard it on the down low.
Keep us posted on the progress pretty please!
Congratulations.
Big hugs,
August 24th, 2010 at 8:49 pmMA
Congratulations!!! I will buy a copy the minute the ink dries.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:36 pmWow! Congratulations! That is so awesome and I can’t wait until it’s published!
August 25th, 2010 at 6:23 amGreat news!! I always like hearing you on NPR, reading your blog and now a book – perfect! Where’d that cute wire basket that your tomatoes are in come from, please?
August 25th, 2010 at 7:51 amyay Willi! That is so exciting! Can’t wait to read it!!!
August 25th, 2010 at 7:53 amOf course you are: your blog is so great, I can only imagine how wonderful the book will be. Kudos!
August 25th, 2010 at 9:58 am.-= Lelo´s last blog ..Take a surreal tour of our August garden =-.
Wow, you’ve read my mind, Willi. This season I’ve been trying to garden more seriously, and have been trying veggies I’ve never grown before, some successful and some not. Along the way I’ve asked myself a lot of questions about how to know when to harvest, what varieties work, what do I do with 2 weeks worth of Romano beans, etc., etc. Mostly I’ve just muddled along and wished there was one source or book that encompassed it all. And it sounds like that’s what you’re writing. Please hurry
P.S. The slow roasted tomato recipe was a hit at a party last weekend, even if the Stupice tomatoes did come from the farmer’s market, and not my own reluctant plant. Thank you!
August 25th, 2010 at 12:21 pmYay! You’re known as my online veggie gardening mentor here. Can’t wait to buy a copy of your first book!
August 25th, 2010 at 6:51 pm.-= LadyJayPee´s last blog ..Nectarine Pie =-.
Congratulations Willi! I love your innovative plant use ideas. I can’t wait!
August 26th, 2010 at 10:21 am.-= Angela´s last blog ..plant combinations- cabbage and marigolds =-.
Hurray Willi, I’m so happy for you. I love your behind the scene’s shots, what a beautiful location! Can’t wait to read it, I know it will be spectacular!
August 26th, 2010 at 4:02 pmYay! Congratulations. Can’t wait to see it.
August 27th, 2010 at 3:54 pm.-= Sandy´s last blog ..A few of my favorite kitchen things =-.
Wonderful news! Good for you!! I shall be one of the first to order!
August 30th, 2010 at 2:07 pmCongrats on your book Willi! I can’t wait to buy a copy.
August 30th, 2010 at 7:20 pm.-= Anne´s last blog ..August Update =-.
How nice to hear. I just wanted to ask you, how is the book going?
July 14th, 2011 at 1:08 pmJessica´s last [type] ..How to Grow Cherry Tomatoes