Author: I have been holding out on you guys.
For months, (yes months!) I've had a secret that I could not share. A REALLY big secret. Kind of the best secret ever. I have been dying to share it with you, and I am so relieved that I finally can. Are you ready? Take a deep breath, in and out. Here we go: I GOT A COOKBOOK DEAL! Squee! I'm freaking out a little... ok a lot!
Wait, that's not even the best part, are you ready for the best part? Here we go: I got a cookbook deal with one of the biggest publishing companies in the world! I'm talking Appetite by Random House. Yes, THAT Random House. The amazing smiley, hugging, and gleeful people (seriously they are so nice) chose me (little vegan me!) to write a cookbook and they are going to publish the thing, to the world, like you will be able to buy it in stores and everything. Gah!
Joy! Jumping! Glee! Heart attack! Dancing in the kitchen! Remain calm. CAN'T... REMAIN... CALM! So excited!
I literally have been doing happy dances for months now, and IÂ feel no need to stop.
Ok, deep breath. Let me tell you the story of how it happened. One fine day I got an email from Appetite by Random House, they wanted to meet me (insert sweaty panic, freaking out, jumping around for joy now).
I went in for a meeting wearing orange pants (why did I wear orange pants!?) I had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes and as I sat there I was surrounded by shelves of books written by authors such as George R. R. Martin, Judy Blume, Margaret Atwood, Mindy Kaling, Drew Barrymore, Sophie Kinsella, Piper Kerman (Orange is the New Black alert!), Russel Brand, and Brendan Brazier. Not to mention the cookbook authors, Angela Liddon, Nigella Lawson, Curtis Stone (swoon), Meghan Telpner, and Sarah Britton. Holy moly, what in the world am I doing here? The girl who received the comment on her high school English class report card "Samantha is the best actor in our English class". Well at least I was good at acting like I was good at writing... haha. Thanks Mr. Mason 😉
The meeting was with the most marvellous man Robert. Really, I don't think you could meet a nicer person. It was a brief meeting, I bumbled over my words, forgot my whole plan of attack for what I wanted to say, but at the end of the meeting, he asked me to write a cookbook proposal. Yay! Next thought: how in the world do I write a cookbook proposal?
This is the extra crazy part. In the couple of months while I prepared my cookbook proposal, I got contacted by not one, but TWO other publishers who were also interested in a potential cookbook!!! I do not know what kinda good karma I was putting out into the world, but whatever it was, I will keep on trying to do that.
Now with three interested publishers I was totally confused. With a little guidance from my cousin and some help from a friend, before I knew it I was signed up with a super awesome agent. Let me recap, I went from being a measly little vegan blogger to suddenly having an agent and 3 publishers interested in me. Um, can somebody wake me up? My agent (who is also named Sam, so clearly she is amazing), helped me focus my efforts towards Appetite by Random House because we agreed they seemed like the best publisher for me.
I finished my wee cookbook proposal, and by wee I mean monster proposal, 67 pages to be exact. Apparently one of the largest proposals they have ever received according to my editor Bhavna (who is actually so wonderful and I am so stoked to be working with her over the next year). I submitted the proposal to Appetite by Random House (insert more sweaty panic). They held onto it for a couple weeks without word (insert sleeplessness, excited, anticipation) then it happened, it was official. They loved, like really truly loved my proposal, and they offered me a contract!
I have NEVER been more exited to receive a pile of paper in my life. There it was, right on the contract, my name requesting It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken the cookbook! (Insert more heart attacks... by now I'm probably dead).
I swear I wanted to rush to the computer and tell you immediately, but I had to wait for everything to be official-official before I announced it... because apparently when things are official they are only sort of official, but alas, I am finally able to share with you guys my super exciting news! It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken the cookbook is coming to you in 2017! Woot woot!
Apparently, I celebrate by putting my feet on the counter, I'm such a rebel (I know some of you cringed).
Now that I can finally share freely I am going to be documenting the whole process of writing a cookbook and I would love if you guys followed along on social media using #IDTLCcookbook. Sneak peeks, bloopers, questions for you, and behind the scenes photos are all coming your way.
Lastly, a love note: A big, big thank you to you, yes YOU! It's because of you awesome readers and vegan food lovers that this cookbook deal was even possible. Every comment, cooking success, social media share, food picture, email, and like I receive truly make my day. You're the best! 💕
Until the next scrumptious vegan treat...
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
Tina says
Brilliant! Way to go Sam. When can I pre-order my copy?
Sam says
Thank you! Haha, gosh! I have no idea, I'm still working on writing the breakfast chapter! SO many recipes to go 🙂
Lisa | The Viet Vegan says
AAAAH CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU DESERVE IT! You work so hard, I'm so happy for you!!
Sam says
Aww thank you Lisa!!! Remember that time why you asked if I had gotten a cookbook deal, and I said "NO!", I was lying. Secrets! terrible. I felt so guilty for not telling you. Haha! Finally I can chat freely. 🙂
Erin says
Well done, Sam––spreading the awesomeness and the vegan word! I'll be one of the first in line to buy a copy! Congratulations!
Sam says
Thank you so much Erin!!! Is there a line up already!? Whew! I better get to writing this thing!
Jyl says
Congratulations! I'm new to vegan, and even newer to your blog, but I know a good one when I see one - apparently, so do publishers!
Sam says
Aw thanks Jyl! Welcome welcome! So happy to be a part of your new vegan adventure 🙂
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
CONGRATULATIONS!! Amazing news and you deserve it! I love your writing style, your photographs, and your recipes, so the book is going to be wonderful. Having 3 (!!!) publishers approach you just validates it. Good luck and I can't wait to see the book!
Sam says
Thank you so much Julia! Yeah it was a pretty surreal experience, I couldn't believe it. I am so excited and even more excited that everyone here seems to be so excited too!
Claudette says
Also relatively new to your site.... you have a knack of making veganism fun, the photos are scrumptious. Love the enthusiasm from you and your subscribers.
Congratulations!
Sam says
Thank you Claudette!! Making veganism fun and mainstream is exactly my goal! So happy you picked up on that so quickly. Welcome to It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken 🙂
Suze says
Congratulations! Amazing news!!!
Sam says
Thank you Suze!
Sophia @Veggies Don't Bite says
AHHH! Happy dance! Jumping up and down! So stoked for you!! Can't wait to see what awesomeness you produce!
Sam says
Thank you so much Sophia!! Happy dances all around 🙂
Walt says
Congratulations! I don't buy many cookbooks (my wife won't let me), but I'll be looking for this one. We loved the puff pastry lentil loaf recipe at Christmas, and I still have some others to work through, but I'll get there.
Sam says
Hahaha, well hopefully your wife will let you get this one. Thank you so much Walt, so happy you are enjoying the recipes 🙂
Maureen Cram says
Congrats :). As I have stated before, your is one of only a couple that I even bother to bookmark, let alone actually try recipes from! Well done you - We all want autographed copies when it comes out remember!
Sam says
Autographed!? Oh goodness, that seems crazy and exciting! I will probably misspell my own name out of nerves... but I guess that would make it even more valuable! Haha! Thank you for the lovely compliment Maureen, so happy you are digging my recipes 🙂
Sue says
Congratulations Sam! Your infectious writing style, yummy recipes (Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Tofu!) and willingness to teach with kindness (yes, you need to drain the cashews after you soak them) have made me a fan, and helped feed my vegan hubby.
From California, I wish you all the best with this great new chapter (!) in your life.
Sue
Sam says
Thank you so much Sue 🙂 Haha, I never mind questions, I just want to help people make delicious vegan food! So happy you are feeding your hubby. 🙂
Amy Katz says
I'm so excited for you! I'll definitely buy your book.
Sam says
Aww thank you so much Amy!!!! 🙂
Casey at Two City Vegans says
SAM! That is incredible! Congrats to you! I cannot wait for it! You are such an inspiration. 😀 YAY!!!!
Sam says
Aww thanks Casey! I'm so flattered. Yay indeed!!!
Melissa says
I cannot wait to get it!!! I'm super excited!! Congrats!
Sam says
Thank you Melissa!
Angie S says
I am SO HAPPY for you!!! Every single recipe of yours I've tried has been wonderful and loved by all, but it's not just the recipes that keep me coming back - it's your absolutely positive attitude and spirit! You deserve this - congrats and get cookin!
Sam says
Thank you Angie!!! That's so incredibly sweet. Oh boy, have I been cooking. Muffins are everywhere!
ML says
Woohoo!!!! Congrats too you. I can't wait to read it. I always love your recipes.
Sam says
Aww that's the best, thanks ML!
Monique says
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!
I'm ridiculously excited right now!!!! Can't wait to see your posts about the process and even better, can't wait to order!!!
Sam says
Haha!! Thank you Monique!!! You look almost excited as I am! That's awesome!! 😀
Sarah says
Congratulations! Such exciting news for you 🙂
Sam says
Thank you! 🙂
The YamChops Team says
You go girl! Congratulations! (The YamChops Team)
Sam says
Haha, thank you! I love YamChops! I will stop by soon 🙂
Sarah says
YAAAAAY! Congratulations, way to kick ass!! 😀
I'm very new to your blog (only discovered it last week), but have already tried four recipes and they all turned out really awesome – usually other people's recipes are more hit and miss for me, but with yours I wouldn't have changed a thing. We must have very similar taste, I guess!
Anyway, I was actually planning on printing all your recipes and turn them into a practical little book, but this is even better of course. 😉 Congrats again, woohoo!
Sam says
Haha thank you Sarah!! I am so happy we have the same taste and that my recipes are turning out for you. 🙂