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.
Bethery says
I know, I'm slow to read the big news. Congratulations!!! And, is that YOUR counter you have your feet on? Pretty nice counter and surroundings.
Bethery
Sam says
Haha thank you Bethany!! It is indeed my counter and my kitchen, thank you, I designed much of it myself. It kind of made me laugh when I posted the pictures and noticed the colours matched my blogs design perfectly. Gee... I guess I like those colours. Haha. 🙂
Dora Stone says
Congratulation Sam! So happy for you!
Sam says
Thank you so much Dora! 🙂
Candace S. says
Congratulations! That is so exciting!
Sam says
Thank you so much Candace! 🙂
Eva says
Congratulations, Sam! It is just AMAZING 🙂 So happy for you, can't wait for the book!!!!
Sam says
Thank you so much Eva! I can't wait either!! Haha
Sarah says
This is the BEST news! Yes!!! Congrats! So deserving 🙂
Sam says
Aww thank you so very much Sarah 🙂
Carole Simcox says
Congratulations! That's fantastic news. I just joined fairly recently and I love the recipies my husband has made. You truly deserve this. I'm so happy for you!!!!
Sam says
Oh thanks so much Carole! Welcome to It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. So happy you are enjoying the recipes already 🙂
bonnie says
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
Sam says
Thank you bonnie!
Judith says
You know, I'm really new (I mean really really new - like a couple of days?) to your blog, but that's what I thought in the first place. Why isn't there a cookbook with all this delicious, not over-the-top-where-do-I-get-these-weird-ingredients-it-takes-hoooours recipes? She should write a cookbook.
Well done and I really hope that it doesn't take long after the release in Canada/the U.S. until it will be sold in Europe as well.
Sam says
Haha! Well thank you Judith! Welcome to my blog 🙂 I am so thrilled that you have found my blog and not only that but totally picked up on exactly the vibe I am going for. I hope it doesn't take long too, I have no idea how these things work! Newbie over here.
Jenny Bee says
I am going to repeat what you'll most likely hear a lot (because it's true!) your blog is the whole package. I can tell you work really hard on your recipes, I made the Caesar and there were flavor pops galore. You are adorable and as someone else mentioned very patient with advice and your explanations are impeccable. My brain gets jumbled when I try and follow directions (because I wanna just get to it!) but I can follow yours easily. It's really great to see you getting published by such a big company because you are such a twinkly star and obviously love what you do.
xo!
Sam says
Haha! Thank you so much Jenny! You made me gitty. A twinkly star! I had to text my friends and tell them that someone called me a twinkly star, to cute. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! 🙂
Mary says
Such great news, and so well deserved! I recommend your site to everyone and will definitely buy your cookbook. Congratulations!
Sam says
Awww thank you so much Mary!!! I love that you are spreading the word around, thank you!
Delia says
WOW! That's awesome news! Congrats on the deal itself!! (and on the ability to keep it a surprise too - that is hard to do!) I always wondered when the cookbook was going to come out and then when I saw the subject for the email I knew that had to be it. I love your blog and recipes - keep up the good work and watch out because you already have a long list of people lining up to buy it, me included!
Very inspiring! I hope to work on my goals and achieve something awesome in the future.
HUGS!!
Delia
Sam says
Haha! A line up! I can't even imagine that, so fun! Yes, work hard for your goals, it's totally doable. Thanks so much for the well wishes and support 🙂
Patty says
Congrats!!!! You're recipes are amazing and I know your cookbook will be too. 🙂
Sam says
Awww shucks, thanks Patty 🙂
Leigh Vallejo says
WHOOP WHOOP!
That is awesome news!!
Go girl 🙂
Sam says
Haha! Thank you Leigh!
Nicole Rossetti says
What absolutely stunning news - go you, Sam! I'm so happy for you. 🙂
Sam says
Thank you so very much Nicole 🙂
Paula says
Great news! I'm looking forward to getting a copy (I have a bit of a cookbook addiction).
Sam says
Haha, I share that obsession! Thank you Paula 🙂
Lea says
I literally just subscribed as I just switched to plant based lifestyle and I am excited that there is a vegan cookbook by you in the works. Looking forward to it (especially since I am learning how to cook more healthier) I can't wait and congrats.
Sam says
Thank you so much Lea! Welcome to my blog and to your new plant based lifestyle. Let me know if you have any questions or need any support 🙂
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
So exciting!!! Congrats, lovely lady! I mean #goals for real. You deserve it - I can only imagine how hard you work! This was one of the first vegan blogs I started reading, so I can't wait for your book. PS that kitchen is adorable!
Sam says
Thank you so much! I'm so flattered!! And thank you for the kitchen comment! I designed it myself 🙂
April Glen says
Congratulations on your new cookbook Sam! I know it will sell like hotcakes I'm just dying to find out when because believe it or not I was looking on your site today for your cookbook. That's right you read this correctly, I want to purchase your cookbook! So Sam, when are you taking pre-orders, eh?
May your cooking experiences take you fast and wide yet keep you humble.
Sam says
Haha! Everyone keeps asking about pre-orders! I have to write the thing first I'm pretty sure. I will talk to my agent tho 🙂 So excited that you're excited!
Jill Aaron says
Wow. I thought, "Follow your bliss," was a myth!
Sam says
Haha! No way! Except you don't just follow it, you work really really hard for it! 🙂
Jill Aaron says
That is an excellent point. I'm studying art, and it's clear that it will take nothing less than total dedication to just be outstanding. Success is still not guaranteed after that. Y'know, just being on your page makes me hungry.
Sam says
I studied art too! I'm not a full time artist, but I designed the site and graphics myself so it still shines through. You never know where your path will take you, and frankly I didn't really know what my dream career was until I was almost 30! It's official, haha. I'm hungry too!
Lise says
Félicitations Sam, I always tought that you were The BEST !
Sam says
Awww shucks! Thank you Lise 🙂