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.
Kristi says
I'm doing a happy dance with you Sam! So excited for you and I can't wait until I can pre-order! Let me know if you need recipe testers.
Sam says
Haha, yay! I needed a happy dance partner!! Thank you so much Kristi!
Rachel says
Congradulations! That is so exciting & awesome!!! I can't wait to see the cookbook!
Sam says
Thank you so much Rachel! I am so excited!! 🙂
Maria says
Congrats congrats congrats!!! I'm so excited for you.
Sam Sam bow bam, bananafana fow fam
Mi My Mow Mam, SAM!!!!
Sam says
Hahaha! You totally got that stuck in my head now. I will be singing it all night long! Haha. Thank you Maria!
Kathryn says
Wonderful news! Congratulations, Sam. You deserve every bit of happiness and success that comes your way. I am so very happy for you!
Sam says
Thank you Kathryn, that so very sweet. You make me smile! 🙂
Betty C says
Congratulations. I am excited as the recipes I have tried have all been really good, you saved my sanity with the 'cheese' recipes! 🙂 Looking forward to sharing the journey with you. <3
Sam says
Thank you Betty! So happy you have loved the recipes so far. I am so excited to finally be able to share!
Kathy Sturr says
Oh, and of course, I can't wait for the book to be published because I want a copy for sure!
Sam says
Aww thanks so much Kathy!! Thanks for being a long time fan 🙂
Celebration... well I did buy a big bottle of bourbon for Old Fashioned Cocktails 😉
Kathy Sturr says
WOW! Congratulations! (But I knew it was only a matter of time). Super excited for you and really look forward to following your progress! I hope you have a big celebration planned!
Betty says
That's fantastic! Congratulations and I hope you sell a ton of books!
Sam says
Thank you so much Betty! Fingers crossed!!!
Ingrid says
Congratulations! Great to see your dreams come true like that. Best wishes! <3
Sam says
Thank you so much Ingrid! Yeah it's all pretty overwhelming, but so much fun 🙂
Sheila says
YAY! Way to go Sam! Can't wait to get your cookbook, I love all your recipes!
Sam says
Aww shucks, thank you so much Sheila!! <3
Darlena says
Congratulations, Sam!!!! I am so excited for you and for me and so many others who will get to know and love delicious vegan food. Cannot wait for your book to come out....hold onto a couple of them for me!!! <3
Sam says
Haha! Noted! Thank you so much Darlena. Vegan food for everyone!!
Michelle S. says
Congrats, that is SO exciting! I can't wait to buy your cookbook!!!
Sam says
Thank you so much Michelle! I can't wait to hold a copy of my book. it's going to be surreal.
carmen says
Congratulations!! This is amazing, I love your recipes, wonderful news (((:
Sam says
haha, aww thank you carmen 🙂
Sandra says
I am SO truly happy for you! You are one of my favorite vegan bloggers and I can't wait for your cookbook! I'm sure it will be amazing.
Sam says
Aww thank you Sandra!! I sure hope it will be! I am going to put everything I got into it. 🙂
Michelle says
Congratulations Sam!!! So happy for you!!
Sam says
Thank you Michelle!!
Kristen says
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s!!!
Sam says
Haha! Thank you Kristen 🙂
Darcee says
Amazing!! I am a long time vegan and longer vegetarian but this will be the first vegan/vegetarian cook book that I will buy!! I can't wait! 🙂
Sam says
Awww wow! What a huge compliment! Thank you Darcee 😀
Jenny D says
AWESOME!!! Vegans taking over the world - woohoo! 🙂
Sam says
Muhahaha! Yes we are!
jeri schatz says
I'm 81 and have been vegan for the last 8 years after being diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease. My cardiologist says that if every one of his patients did what I did, he wouldn't have a practice. I take no medication and am really healthy. I love your blog and your enthusiasm and your recipes. The only thing I ever really miss is cheese but now I make vegan cheese all the time and am a very happy camper. Heartfelt (no pun intended) congratulations from Old Enough To Be Your Great Grandmother!!!! Can't wait to get the book.
Nancy Nurse says
Jeri, CONGRATULATIONS! Wow, taking care of your own body... amazing, huh? I am presently working on my heart... (having had chest pains for 14 straight days about 3 months ago); now eating kale with balsamic vinegar 5-6 times a day to open my arteries & to bathe my endothelial tissues in nitric oxide... I eat no animals, no dairy, no oils and no sugars and lots of green leafies! Do you have any other suggestions please? I would greatly appreciate them!
jeri schatz says
Hi Nancy Nurse - - I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on television but it sounds lik e you're doing all the right stuff. You might want to look up Swanson health products Vitamin K2 - SWU906. It's the pill form of Natto. I hoped I could acquire a taste for fermented soybeans (yummy if you're born in Japan) but try as i might I just couldn't so K2 seems to agree with me. I wish you all the best and hope that you have a kind and knowledgeable and non-judgemental cardiologist.
Nancy Nurse says
Thanks Jeri for responding so quickly! I don't have a cardiologist, hoping I won't need one... doing this on my own... I used to be on the Open Heart Team at George Washington University Hospital and I know what happens once to agree to all those "tests" - it's pretty much a downhill slope for the most part.... I've been to Dr. McDougall's Ten Day Medical Live-In Program 3 years ago and recently spoke with Dr. Esselystyn . You know, I used to take K2 ... hmmm, I just might try getting back on it. Certainly can't hurt! Thanks so much! I'm SO PROUD of you for taking control of your own body!
jeri schatz says
Hi Nancy - I tried Dr. Esselstyn's program and it was just too severe for me. My skin became so dry I felt like a walking Sahara. Also he absolutely insists that everyone should be on a statin. I was on one for 4 days and felt so ill that I thought I'd rather die than feel that way for even another minute. The cardiologist I have now is supportive and knows about vitamins and minerals and doesn't make faces like my first 2 MD's. Mind you, I'm only speaking of my experience.
Sam says
jeri, that is such an amazing story!!! Thank you for sharing, and so happy you are able to give some words of wisdom to Nancy. Thank you so much for the kind words! I know that when I switched to vegan I felt so good I never went back (and I didn't even know I felt bad before)! We are spreading the word, slowly but surely. 🙂
Scott says
I knew the minute I read the email what you were going to say. No surprise, given the quality of your blog, and your fun, infectious attitude. Congratulations to you. Seriously. You deserve it, and I can't wait to see the book. Meanwhile...I think you just gave away your address. Might want to change that pic to ward off any vegan stalkers!
Sam says
Thank you so much Scott!! Gosh, all the kind words, I am completely overwhelmed. It might be cocktail time soon!
Truly, thank you.
Haha, and no that's the address to my agents office building, and she didn't have a problem with it being public since it's a public business, but thanks for looking out! Much appreciated 🙂