Of Dresses and Events Coming Up

The third edition of Will Write for Food came out last week, and I’ve been busy with promotion. I love in-person events best because I get to see people in real life versus virtual, and wear dresses. Sometimes friends show up for support, which makes these events even more fun, kind of like parties.

So far my summer book promotion — that all-important six-week window — is going well, but I got thrown off a little by this surprising fact: If you pre-ordered my book on Amazon, you received it the same day I got mine from the publisher! Yes, Amazon mails out books as soon as they arrive at the warehouse, even if it’s before the release date. The good news, though, is that a review appeared on the site the day of the book’s release.

(If you ever see lots of book reviews on Amazon before a book debuts, it’s because the publisher paid Amazon to send the book out to certain reviewers in advance. My publisher did this for my first edition.)

But enough about all that. Now it’s time to comb my hair and don a party dress for a few local events at my favorite places. I hope you’ll join me on one of the next three Saturdays:

July 25, 2015, 3-4 p.m.
Interview and Book Signing
Omnivore Books 
San Francisco, CA

If you’re based in the Bay Area — or just visiting San Francisco —the fabulous Irvin Lin of Eat the Love will interview me about what’s new in food blogging, social media, and cookbooks. I was hoping to wear a summer frock but we’re almost into Fogust and it will be cool.

August 1, 2015, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor
Food Writing for Food Lovers 
The Writing Salon
San Francisco, CA
$95-$110

Lately I’ve been zooming around North America and further abroad to teach and speak, but it just so happens that I am teaching a one-day class in San Francisco this summer, a rare event. We’re going to talk about best practices for blogging, writing cookbooks, and writing for publications. At my last teaching destination it was linen and cotton all the time, but weather will be cool once again.

August 8, 2015, 1 p.m.
Book Signing and Talk
Book Passage bookstore
Corte Madera, CA

For the last two editions I’ve given a talk at the Ferry plaza store. (Here’s a story San Francisco Weekly wrote about my talk — I still have that dress too!) This time I thought it would be fun to appear north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin, where the sun comes out regularly. If you live in the North Bay or beyond, please join me to discuss trends in food blogging and cookbooks. I might even go sleeveless.

I’m adding one more event because it was sold out, and then we had a cancellation. There’s one opening left for an exotic and fun learning experience:

October 4 – 8, 2015
Instructor
Food Photography and Writing Workshop
Tas Otel
Alcati, Turkey
$1995

Sharpen your photography skills with food and travel photographer David Hagerman, whose clients include Saveur and The New York Times. Improve your ability to write compelling stories, learn what’s new in food writing, and enjoy a private consultation with me. And hear from Robyn Eckhardt, author of the award-winning Eating Asia food blog and travel writer for such publications as The New York Times and Wall Street Journal Asia, on how to find food stories when you travel. She and Dave are also the authors of a forthcoming Turkey cookbook. They’ll be your hosts as you enjoy accommodation in a 120-year old stone house, feast on Turkish food, visit the market and walk to cafes, shops and restaurants on this gorgeous town on the Aegean. Bring a non-participating partner to share your room and join the meals and activities. To know more about our workshops, sign up at the bottom of the page under “follow.”

See you soon!