If you have been a regular reader of this blog, you know that, about one month and a half ago, I launched the presale of my cookbook, La Tartine Gourmande: Recipes for an Inspired Life.
I recently reflected on the making of the book, realizing that I didn’t talk a lot about the process involved to complete the project. In view of this, I thought that it’d be nice to share tidbits with you today.
Such as tell you that, unlike perhaps what you might have thought, there weren’t roses all the way. Like with every life process, there were bumps and uncertainties. Delays. A lot of going back and forth. Redoing. Rewriting. I had a lot of work in my hands since, while writing, styling and photographing the book, I was also learning to become a mother–oh yes, do you remember that I started my book project when I was pregnant with Lulu? On Christmas day, she will turn three, so this gives you an indication of the time involved in the making of my book.
To my surprise, I was told it was completely normal.
Photo credit is by myself
I’ve been lucky though. During the months and years, I constantly received support and encouragement from Sara, my editor, and Shambhala Publications Inc., my publishing house. My book was going to be part of Roost Books, a line of books focusing on everyday activities that nourish and enrich our lives–they published Amanda Soule‘s books too (from the popular blog Soule Mama).
What I want to tell you today is that I am very proud of the result. Of the style and feel of my book, the design and quality of the images printed inside. It’s a highly illustrated book. It’s an intimate book. And I really think that it turned out beautifully. It has the feel that this blog has–this is just what I had been dreaming about all along.
On December 10th, I will be having my first book signing in Boston. I am delighted. Excited. Feeling shy and nervous too. All of it.
The lovely Maggie from Eat Boutique kindly invited me to be part of the Holiday Local Market held at Made in Fort Point. There will be yummy food (check the list of food makers) and other cookbook authors present, such as Judy Rosenberg and Erin Buyers Murray. The event is free. I am sure that it will be fun and filled with lots of interesting people. I will be there from 1 to 3 PM, with some food, books and my pen. So I really hope that, if you live in the Boston area, or are willing to travel, I will finally get a chance to meet some of you. That’s what makes the whole experience even more real. And human.
Non?
Also, I would like to thank each of you who kindly emailed me with feedback, or tweeted, about the book. Each one of your messages is special.
Alors, un grand merci !
Wow!! That’s exciting!! Time flies as I remember your blog post about your book deal.
Too bad I am too far to attend your book signing. Hopefully you will come to London!
Congratulations!
What a beautiful book and wonderful legacy for your family! I cannot wait to see it!
🙂
V
Felicitations !
Magnifique ouvrage. Quelle aventure prodigieuse. Tu ne viendrais pas sur la Cote Ouest par hasard ? 😉
Bises californiennes.
Oh, so loving this book!!! Need to get one for my sister for Christmas!! I only wish I lived in Boston so I could go to the book signing. Best of luck…
How absolutely wonderful for you! Enjoy your first book signing. Thank you for sharing what this journey was like for you.
I will definitely come right up to you, smiling, next week at the signing! What a fantastic event to debut at. We’re lucky to have you here.
Merci de partager tout ce processus avec nous : c’est super intéressant ! Le résultat est -je suis sûre- à la hauteur des 3 années de travail… Dis-toi que c’est comme un risotto, pour que ce soit très bon, ça prend le temps ! J’aurais aimé venir te voir à Boston… mais à défaut, j’espère que ton livre sera sous mon sapin ! Encore bravo !
Merci de partager tout ce processus avec nous : c’est super intéressant ! Le résultat est -je suis sûre- à la hauteur des 3 années de travail… Dis-toi que c’est comme un risotto, pour que ce soit très bon, ça prend le temps ! J’aurais aimé venir te voir à Boston… mais à défaut, j’espère que ton livre sera sous mon sapin ! Encore bravo !
So nice of you Bea! Thank you for lovely recipes and gorgeous pictures! Even I’m from Croatia, I ordered book !
I wish i could be there !!! Tu devrais faire la meme chose en France !!! J’ adore ton livre ! toujours! Je pars dans qq jours direction l’Antarctique et le pari a ete lance il y a quelques semaines que je ferai un maximum de tes recettes avant de partir pour justifier de ne pas attendre sa sortie francaise en Fevrier (avant mon retour)! hehe J’adore !!! J’ai presque l’impression d’avoir un album photo dans les mains!
Bravo Béatrice ! Sais -tu si ton livre va sortir bientôt en France ? Car si tu me dis qu’il est inutile de l’attendre… je l’achète tout de suite en anglais !
Bises
J’aurais adoré te rencontrer, mais malheureusement je vis beaucoup trop loin. J’attends avec impatience la sortie de ton livre en Europe pour pouvoir le commander! En tout cas un grand bravo pour tout le travail que tu as fourni et continue à nous émerveiller avec tes superbes photos et tes jolis récits!
Great news Bea! Great publications by the way, I will order more of their books (since I already have two copies of yours, as I have mentioned)! Have a nice time, you deserve it!
Moi aussi j’ai hâte de découvrir un jour ton livre! Je suis admirative de ton blog qui fait partie de mes préférés! Il a l’air chouette ce marché à Boston! Je serais bien venue 😉 Dommage j’habite trop loin!
Bravo ma petite Béa!
Toutes mes félicitations! Je l’attendais depuis longtemps. Vivement en français.
Comme j’aimerais tant te rencontrer avec ta petite Lulu.
jacqueline
Bea, You should be proud! very proud. Congratulations, the book is lovely. I will try to be there to lend some moral support, though I don’t think you’ll need it. You will be great!
oh..how lucky people around boston is 🙂 Dear Bea, please let me know when you will arrive at St.Louis , MO area for book signing is – i really want to get your book for christmas present off course with your sign 🙂
Sounds like a great event – and congrats on your first book signing! I’m glad that you let us know about it, I will definitely stop by!
Congratulations! The book looks absolutely lovely…hard work that has clearly paid off…Enjoy!
Un superbe ouvrage
Je te souhaite uune excellente soirée
Valérie
Congratulations!!!!!! My studio is right across the street. I am going to try to come. Are you there all day? We are going to the Children’s Holiday Pops that afternoon.
will you ever get to NYC??!!! hope so…please keep us posted on upcoming booksigning dates. i’ve been cooking out of your book for the last month or so…and have been a huge fan of the blog for years….go, bea!!!
I look forward to it. I’ll bring my already broken in copy for signing!
Hello!
I`m in Bulgaria. How i can get this book?
Thank you!
Thank you so much everyone. I really look forward to seeing you, Sally, Kathleen, Katie, Sarah…I will definitely let you know about any other book signings. These will most likely happen after February of next year (official release date is Feb 7th, hello Valentine Day present ;-))
Ruslan, you can buy the book directly from this link: http://www.ltgbook.com
Sarah, I am planning to be there between 1 and 3 PM.
very much looking forward to meeting you at the Local Market….I’m such a fan of your blog!
Congratulations Bea!!! I was SO delighted when I saw your published book! Finally, we can have a piece of that magic that you so deftly weave right at home 🙂 I would have loved to attend your book signing if I was in Boston, but I live in Dubai. I’ll be ordering your book soon 🙂 good luck with your book events!
wow, this is really one of the most beautiful cookbooks I’ve ever seen! I love the white background, everything is just so fresh and gorgeous looking! Congrat!
Congrats!! Love your blog, not just the fab recipes but especially the musings and photo’s that precede them! Looking forward to release date of your cookbook. Come out to San Francisco for a signing!!
We love following your blog. Hope you’ll make it to up to Portland, ME for a book signing. We are a city of foodies!
this book is on my christmas list. can’t wait to get it!
We have never formally met, but I saw you speak at the food blogger’s conference for @BakeSpace in Boston last July. Since then, I have read your blog and I must say that you are a true inspiration. Your vibrant photos and delicious recipes make my mouth water! 🙂 I wish you much success on your new book, for it is well deserved. I look forward to reading it. Keep up the great work and many blessings!
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I wish I could be there, really!
It would be lovely to get the book from your hands instead of my postman!
Anyway, thank you very much for being so honest about the process, it is all so real and human…
I love your work and I wish you the best for your professional and personal life
Roberta
Dear B,
I started to follow your photos a couple of years ago on flickr. You helped me with my first baby steps in food photography. Just to tell thanks, and all the best. Sincerely, L.
Congrats Bea. How exciting. Your cookbook looks perfect and so colorful. I am going to buy it now! 🙂
congratulations.
this is inspiring to me as i write my first cookbook. i love the photographs.
Béa, I bought your book as son as it was available. It was shipped really fast and the service was great at Shambahala. Needless to say I love the book. Your approach is amazing. So intimate and warm. I felt like I got to know you better through your book. The variety of recipes is great. I will start making them soon. I am now for a year in the Dominican Republic. So I can’t find gluten free flours. Is there a way to replace the gluten free by regular flour in some recipes? Like in the pistachio financiers? I could find almond meal but not the rice flour. Merci Béa
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have fun at the signing Bea. so excited for you. i love the book. have made a couple of recipes already and have many more bookmarked. i think you will see nadia there too. i wish i could join you 🙂
Dear Madame Tartine Gourmande,
I never comment on blogs. But your intuitive cooking and colorful yet delicate photography of food inspires me. I don’t follow your recipes, first I look at the pictures, then I read the ingredients list, digest them and I go to my kitchen to improvise. You’re such an inspiration. I hope your book will be available in France (I’m French but I keep living everywhere else), so at my next stop, I’ll get a copy. Keep on with your blog. The idea of a free advise nowdays is precious, and you’re very generous!
Béa, I bought your book at Eat Boutique in Boston and today made my first treat, the Chocolate Almond Buckwheat Cake. It was super simple, not too sweet, and delicious! I was only able to find 60% bittersweet chocolate on my grocery store trip today; I expect 70% will be even more delicious! The book is lovely, the photos and stories captivating, and I look forward to using it for years to come.
Melissa, I am so so happy to hear. Thank you for the feedback. Really special.
Sylvette, j’espère moi aussi que le livre sera très vite disponible en français. Doigts croisés 😉 Merci beaucoup!