I’m writing a cookbook!
.
Hello~,
yes, I’ve got a bit of news ~ I’ve decided to write a cookbook!!!
.
Yup! That’s right! And I’m confident enough to say so here on my blog & let everyone know. Some might say “don’t jinx it” or perhaps advise me to keep schtum until I know for sure that it gets published to save embarrassment, but…
1. I think this ‘jinx’ malarkey is rubbish – & infact, I’ve had a sour experience in the past when a friend decided not to tell me certain things because she ‘didn’t want to jinx it’, but I find out later that she told others but just not me!? It’s probably since then that I really hate this ‘jinx’ talk. It’s just a silly way of not including certain people.
2. I’m pretty bad at keeping secrets anyways! :)
3. Letting everyone around me know would definitely kick my head in gear to work on the project. I work better under pressure!
.
You’re perhaps wondering wether I have an agent or a publisher? Well, no. Or shall I say ‘not yet’. I’m not exactly sure how to go about it but I’ll try approaching a few in an appropriate timing. Or if that fails, I might go down the self-publishing route. I’ve read up online about the ‘print-on-demand’ system which sounds rather appealing… Well, anyhow, we’ll see won’t we, when time comes to consider those options. (Then again, if you ARE a publisher reading this, please don’t be shy as to letting me know if you are interested! Thank you!!^^)
.
In a strange & wonderful way, this career path marries my present job to my old one, which was being a graphic designer. When I think of this, a phrase like ‘everything has a meaning’ springs to mind. That perhaps all those years designing brochures, proofing & visiting the printers will be put to good use once more.
.
Dearest blog-readers, may I thank you please for the wonderful support you have given me so far – this goes even to those who’ve not yet left comments, because I know you are reading. Did you know, it’s your continual support that has given me the strength to make this step. ~ It strongly reminds me of… … when I was about fourteen years old. There was an art teacher called Mrs. Davies who believed in me. During one lesson I wanted to draw a figure lying down on bed, but I found it very difficult, especially the perspectives. When I told the teacher this, you know what she did? She laid down on the dirty art-room floor for me to sketch from. Without a single fuss. I remember I was so shocked & touched by her gesture that I proceeded to sketch with so much intensity to try to return my gratitude. Needless to say, I loved Art more after that! ~ … … I guess what I’m trying to say from this is that your support gives me strength & belief in myself – I believe that I can do it & make something of it. So thank you…
.
yay Tamami. can’t wait to read your words on paper. xx
Comment by fanny - February 21, 2011 7:38 am
Ta Fanny!!!! It’s a v. exciting time!! xx
Comment by tamami - February 21, 2011 9:25 am
Thanks for sharing this Tamami! I can’t wait to read the book and I hope you’ll keep us updated on how things proceed. Will it be a baking cookbook? You’re not closing off your stall yet, are you? In bocca al lupo! (Italian idiom for ‘good luck’)
Comment by Caffettiera - February 21, 2011 9:36 am
Hello Caffettiera!!! Yup! It’ll definitely be a baking recipe book!! As for closing the stall ~ ‘eventually’ is my answer to that! Maybe in a year or two… I’ve been thinking about this for a long time ~ that it’s time for a change. But, I can’t tell exactly when as it depends on this book… xx
Comment by Tamami - February 21, 2011 10:58 am
Definitely will buy your book. I like the way you write about your market life. And thank to your brownies recipe, I could share its delicious around my friends. Cannot wait for your portrait of your food. Or maybe you would use another method to express it. I would like them anyway.
Good job, Tamami.
Yi from Taiwan
Comment by Yi - February 21, 2011 10:59 am
Hi Tamami,
I’m a literary agent and have been a fan of your blog for a while now, so delighted to hear that you’re planning to bring your wonderful recipes to a bigger audience! I’d love to have a chat with you about the book and publishing options; do get in touch if you’d like to discuss further. Otherwise I’ll continue to enjoy your blog!
Very best wishes,
Sallyanne
Comment by Sallyanne Sweeney - February 21, 2011 11:57 am
woo–hoo! awesome news…looking forward to reading more about this direction! in a year or so, i can add a luscious lemon drizzle to the slice of cherry pie on my bookshelf :))
Comment by petoskystone - February 21, 2011 1:40 pm
Excellent news Tamami! I wish you the very best and to help you in a small way, i could write out for you my experience with Cannelés (a delicacy from Bordeaux).
Keep going and dont forget to smile!
Comment by Swati - February 21, 2011 2:03 pm
YES! Very excited about your new project! I bet they would sell well at the Market!
If there is ANYTHING I can do to help, let me know! I’ll put a note on my blog when it’s completed. Good for you, Tamami!
Comment by Diane - February 21, 2011 3:11 pm
Good luck with the book-writing, I will definitely get myself a copy when it’s done!! I love your recipe posts (I’ve made the luxury brownies and they were to die for) so a whole book full of pictures and steps and deliciousness will be very exciting :)
Comment by Michelle - February 21, 2011 3:59 pm
Good luck, Tamami, if your book is as good as your blog it will be a BIG hit! I, for one, will definitely buy it. Jeannette
Comment by Jeannette - February 21, 2011 4:13 pm
Oh-My-God! Oh-My-God! OH-MY-G.O.D!
.
I’ve just come home & switched the computer on to check here ~ & I am reading your comments…
.
~ This-is-absolutely-amazing! ~
Thank you Yi, Petoskystone, Michelle & Jeannette for the most supportive comments – I’m sure I’ll be reading it over again & again – it makes me so happy & proud!!
.
Swati, please email me your experience of cannelés – I l.o.v.e. cannelés!!! (you have my email address right?)
.
Diane, I’m sure I’ll be enquiring you over your experience of publishing!
.
And…
.
Dear SALLYANNE,
you won’t believe how ecstatic I was to read your comment – I mean WOW… I really didn’t expect to hear from a pro like yourself. I’ll email you tonight when I have proper time. I would love to have a chat with you!!!!
Comment by tamami - February 21, 2011 5:00 pm
How Awesome is that! I can’t wait to see it in print.
Comment by Alison - February 21, 2011 5:58 pm
Thank you Alison! :) :) :) Yes!!!! Truly awesome! I can’t wait til tonight to get right back to writing!!!
Comment by tamami - February 21, 2011 7:22 pm
Hi Tamami
What nice news. I m eager to see the finished book I ll buy it for sure. I like the ways you describe your recipes. It will surely be a success :)
Comment by snooky doodle - February 21, 2011 7:31 pm
Snooky doodle, I’m so happy that I’ve shared this news on the blog – Just to hear people like yourself commenting such supportive words… Thank you!! x
Comment by tamami - February 21, 2011 7:39 pm
Excellent idea, Tamami – I would love to buy your book. Good luck with this project.
Comment by Maire - February 21, 2011 9:12 pm
It’s lovely to see you moving up in the world, writing a book is very exciting!
I will certainly buy your book once you publish it, good luck for now :D
Comment by Jennifer - February 22, 2011 3:20 am
Marie & Jennifer,
ooohh…, thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!
x x Your comments are very important for me. To know that there are folk out there who are willing to buy my book… it makes a strong point to me that I am on the right track! xx
Comment by tamami - February 22, 2011 9:00 am
Hello Tamami,
HOW AMAZING! Good luck with the project. I also would buy the book when published!
Comment by Louise - February 22, 2011 9:22 am
Louise, THAT’S AMAZING! Thank you!! And thank you for your continual support!!
Comment by Tamami - February 22, 2011 9:26 am
Brilliant news! Go get ’em!
Comment by Gillian - February 22, 2011 1:26 pm
He he! Thanks Gillian!!!!!!! x
Comment by tamami - February 22, 2011 1:42 pm
well done in deciding to take the plunge! I wish you all the luck in the world with the book project, I hope only the best comes from it!
you’ll have to start a book signing tour to visit all your fans y’know, schedule some time for North Yorkshire won’t you!!!!
seriously though, good luck! x
Comment by Kay - February 22, 2011 4:50 pm
that’s great! congratulations on the decision, and may the project be enjoyable :-D
Comment by Maya - February 22, 2011 5:01 pm
Kay! :0 Book signing tour…!! Giggle giggle blush blush!! Aw, you’re adorable! Wouldn’t that be nice! xx
.
Maya, cheers!!!!!! I’ve already started & so far it’s been enjoyable! And now that I’ve shared this news with you guys, it is even more so! xx
Comment by tamami - February 22, 2011 5:10 pm
What fantastic news! I would also be first in line to buy your book! I’ve never posted before, but have been reading you blog for a year or so. Like you said, it just seems like a natural progression for you.
We’re actually visiting London a week on in a couple of weeks, so we might just see if we can squeeze in a trip to Broadway Market (assuming you’ll be there on Sat 12th). :)
Comment by Anna - February 22, 2011 7:01 pm
Anna, :) :) thank you :) :) for your kind words, & a special thank you for leaving your first ever comment! I love hearing from readers!!!! Yup, I’ll be there at the market on 12th of March – it’ll be lovely to see you if you get a chance to visit!
Comment by tamami - February 22, 2011 8:58 pm
i can’t wait!! your my favourite food blogger and your recipes always deliver. best of luck!!
Comment by Ese - February 22, 2011 8:59 pm
Congrats, Tamami!
I look forward to finding a copy in one of the local San Francisco shops…or else, I’ll have to order from you online. :)
Can’t wait to see your design in action!
connie
Comment by connie - February 22, 2011 9:12 pm
Ese, wow!! That’s amazing!! Thanks!!!!! Considering I don’t update my blog as much as the other food bloggers do, that’s pretty amazing to be told! Cheers!!!!
.
Connie, he he, awww…, imagine! my book in a bookshop in San Francisco…!!? he he…! I feel a bit giddy imagining that!
Comment by tamami - February 22, 2011 9:17 pm
Oh dear, I’m late to the party again… :( But congrats, I’m so happy for you that you’ve decided to go ahead with this!!!! I look forward to seeing it in print… and of course getting my very own autographed copy :) :)
By the way, I completely agree with you about the jinx/no jinx issue and it being helpful to have the pressure of everyone knowing/expecting you to be working on the book. I sometimes wonder if I’d ever have got through my PhD if I hadn’t constantly been telling all my friends (and my supervisors of course!) about whatever chapter I was writing at the moment… xx
Comment by Rachel - February 23, 2011 7:38 am
Rachel! Always happy to hear from you!! xx
I’m glad you agree with this jinx thing! And as for the pressure, it’s working a treat so far! I managed to work on it through-out last night. I guess it’s because I’ve been obsessed with cakes for so long & also dreamed of having my own book for a long time that the writing is going pretty smoothly! xx
Comment by tamami - February 23, 2011 10:05 am
Hi Tamami,
Good luck with the book project. I’ll definitely be buying your book when it comes out!
(As it happens, at this very second, I am eating a baked cheesecake made from the recipe on your blog. It’s seriously the only cheesecake recipe that has made me happy and reminded me of all the yummy cheesecake I ate while living in New York.)
Comment by Maria - February 23, 2011 1:42 pm
Maria,
how happy does your comment make me feel on a scale of ten? = TEN!!!! :) :) I’m glad the cheesecake was a success for you!! :) :) i remember that recipe went through so much tweaking to get it just right…! Well worth it then! x
Comment by tamami - February 23, 2011 2:04 pm
hihi Tamami,
thats wonderful news about the cookbook – wishing you every success with it and you can count on me ordering a copy too :)
Comment by little chan - February 23, 2011 7:30 pm
Hello ‘Little Chan’!! :) Thanks!!!!!!!! :) Hope all is well! Do visit the market again one day!! xx
Comment by tamami - February 23, 2011 8:01 pm
This is so wonderful, your very own cookbook!! Wow!
I don’t know how you are planning its contents, but I’m just hoping it will be full of beautiful photos… I’m confident though it will be easy to follow like your recipes on this blog!
Looking forward to owning my copy too. Good luck!
Comment by Rita - February 23, 2011 11:52 pm
Cheers Rita! The photographs’ll definitely have to be done by somebody else. I’m no good at it!!!! Lol! I’ve never liked my pictures 100%…!! x
Comment by tamami - February 24, 2011 12:31 am
I’ll DEFINITELY buy your book – best of luck!!!!! And congratulations on the big step!!!!
Comment by Renee - February 24, 2011 3:58 am
Love your blog & look forward to a mouth watering cookbook!
Comment by Marsha - February 24, 2011 6:55 am
Renee & Marsha!! How lovely!! It means a lot to me that I receive comments such as yours!! Thank you…!! ^^
Comment by tamami - February 24, 2011 9:22 am
Tamami – I add my congratulations to all the above! How exciting that the agent saw your post…just what you needed to make this perfect. Things are going to move fast, I think! This is something you were meant for. And with your caring attitude, attention to detail, baking talent, and unique perspective, it all adds up to a most wonderful cookbook that we all will thank you for!! xxx
Comment by heidy - February 24, 2011 4:58 pm
Heidy,
I know I know!! :) :) Isn’t it just beyond amazing!? But I have only just started on this book – all these messages congratulating me for just deciding on it… – it feels like I’ve already got it out there or something!! Although it means a lot to me though, the fact that there are folk out there who believe in me to do it – it fuels me to be active & keep on writing. Thank you Heidy for your continual support!! xx
Comment by tamami - February 24, 2011 9:16 pm
T- I am sure this IS so overwhelming!!…we all enjoy your blog and are happy for you to have been able to decide on a new venture. But there is no pressure.. I think everyone will understand no matter how this all goes and however long it takes. And it doesn’t hurt that others who may be able to help, either in this future project or others, can see how much support you do have!!
Comment by heidy - February 24, 2011 10:17 pm
Heidy,
I’m very humbled. Thank you. Your’s & all the other responses have been truly amazing. Did I expect this much support? No, not as much as this. Writing this blog is truly one of the best thing I’ve ever done, to have the chance to meet amazing people like yourself… my gratitude is beyond words.
– Last night I was planning a schedule/ plan for myself – like which day at what time I can work on it, & it’s not much… I felt a little down because I WANT TO do it, just that time is not on my side what-with work & daily family stuff. Felt a bit torn, y’know? For a moment lost sight of the end of the tunnel. But then I read back these responses again & it made me feel better! I felt that, yes, I can & will do it! So y’see, when I say that ‘support’ is important to me, it really is! xx
Comment by tamami - February 24, 2011 10:46 pm
OK, so i’m not sure i’ve ever left you a comment before -but i’ve been wanting to anyway!
And today is a good day to do it.
Love what you’re doing, even if i’ve not yet managed to meet you and your fabulous cakes in real life yet.
Thanks, and GOOD LUCK!
Comment by Bonjour Juliette - February 25, 2011 2:08 pm
Bonjour Juliette!
thank you for leaving a comment here!! You’ve chosen a v. special page to do it as it means so much to me! :) :) Thank you :) :) Keep in touch!!
Comment by tamami - February 25, 2011 2:53 pm
I think your book idea is excellent!
I’ve made several of the recipes you’ve published on your blog and they are all excellent (cheesecake! lemon drizzle!). I really enjoy the precision of your recipes and the way you describe the techniques. Plus the way you present the end results is so visual and appetising.
I bet it must be tough finding the time to write given your family and other commitments, but I bet the end result is going to be awesome! So keep going – I for one want to buy a copy (or 2) …..
Comment by Elemjay - February 25, 2011 6:07 pm
Hey Tamami! =)
I’m sure your book will be a fab one! The best of luck with writing and publishing it! Labours of love are the most rewarding so I’m sure you will have a lot of fun and learn a lot in the process! Remember to tell us when it’s out!!! As for me, I’m going to start a “Coco & Me Book Fund”! ;)
What wonderful, exciting news!!! I feel as ridiculously giddy as if it was me being the proud authoress! *huggles!*
Jan xxx
Comment by Jan - February 25, 2011 8:45 pm
Elemjay! Oh wow! Thank you truly for your wonderful review of my recipes! I hope to write recipes for the book in similar style! Stay tuned!! xx
.
Jan, “huggles”!!! Lol! Aww, that’s such a sweet word~!! Somehow it really suits you! ^^ Thank you for making me smile! You’re just so sweet & amazing! xx
Comment by tamami - February 26, 2011 12:11 am
I believe in you Tamami!!!I love your blog and I ‘lllove your book. Good luck.xxxxx
Comment by anne t - February 26, 2011 8:34 pm
Dear Anne t, I’m sure I’ll be reading your words repeatedly – THANK YOU… xx
Comment by tamami - February 27, 2011 12:53 am
Yes Tamami, definetly do write a book! Your cakes looks so so delicious that I need to get my hands on these, but as i’m so far away, this cookbook would be the solution ;)
Comment by Sini - February 27, 2011 7:46 am
Sini, how sweet of you!!!!!! Thank you!! xx I’m totally revved up on writing & last night I managed to do so much without a hiccup! I know it’ll be a long way to the published goal-line, but please stay tuned!! xx
Comment by tamami - February 27, 2011 10:57 am
hi Tamami,
good to see you and the kids the other day. can’t wait to buy your book. i am sure it will be a best seller.
looking forward to seeing you in bath sometime.
Love nikki x
Comment by nikki ruck - February 28, 2011 10:18 am
Nikki,
it really was fantastic to see you guys last week. I would love to visit you in Bath one day!! Cheers Nikki for commenting here!! xx
Comment by tamami - February 28, 2011 7:50 pm
I just read your latest blog entry!! Wow! How exciting!! Like everyone else out there, I can’t wait to read it. I love your photos, style of writing and of course your recipes so I know it will be a great hit! Enjoy writing it!!
Comment by Akiko - March 2, 2011 11:43 am
Akiko chan! How seriously lovely to hear from you! It’s been a long time! I’m so happy to know that you still check this blog out! I hope things are doing ab fab in Jpn! xxx Hope to hear from you more often! t xxx
Comment by tamami - March 2, 2011 3:23 pm
Congratulations! What a wonderful way to start the new year. :)
I will for sure purchase your book once it comes up – please keep us updated and good luck!
Ganbatte kudasai, Tamami-san!! :D
Comment by style fare - March 2, 2011 4:43 pm
Tamami
How wonderful that you have decided on doing a book. I ‘m sure it will be a success world-wide!! UK, America, Europe, Asia…!! I assume it will be tough to schedule with the children commitment but I wish you the very best of luck. I have been following your blog for a while now and I will look forward to seeing it in the bookshop! x
Comment by Alex - March 2, 2011 5:30 pm
Style fare & Alex,
thank you very much!!!! :) :) :)
I will definitely update you guys on how it goes! And Alex, yes, it’s going to be tough but I feel so strongly & passionate about this that I’m sure I won’t feel it! x
Comment by Tamami - March 2, 2011 7:59 pm
WoW, thats great news! I keep my fingers crossed for you to find a publisher (no doubt it won’t take long…) – I’ll be in London in June and hope I’ll be able to visit your stall :-) – pleeeease keep the cheesecake!!
Comment by Anna - March 18, 2011 10:09 pm