Yep I'm working on a book

A few of you picked on the vague hinting I was doing about this in my last couple of posts and Twittered/emailed me about it. I've been holding off on saying anything publicly because, as with my house hunt situation, I tend to be irrationally fearful of somehow jinxing things before they come to fruition, or something. But I am going to have to cut down my posting frequency drastically here for the next few weeks because a big deadline is looming in October.

So, here is the news: I am working on a book, tentatively titled The Just Bento Cookbook (subject to and very likely to change). It is due out sometime in 2010, date to be determined. It will be pubished by Kodansha International, the International/English language division of Kodansha Limited, the largest publisher in Japan. Kodansha International has previously published titles like Nobu, The Cookbook and Kaiseki. I scared shi...I mean, you know, very honored, to be in such company.

I'm in the throes of working on the first draft, which is due in October. So I am going to have to concentrate all of my writing efforts in that direction. Posts here will be sparse for a while, but I'll try to point you to some goodies from the archives and such. Please be patient with me, as I try to make this baby as good as I can make it.

Since it is a bento cookbook, I've posted some details about it over there.

(The last two books I've reviewed and given away here, Izakaya and The Enlightened Kitchen are also from Kodansha International. They were sent over by my wonderful editor Cathy so that I could see what kind of quality to expect. I was blown away. If my book comes out half as good as those books in terms of the layout and photos and everything, I will be very very happy. By the way, my positive reviews were not influenced by my desire to get a book contract, since I had that in the bag way before I got to see the books!)

Submitted by maki on 2009-09-14 10:39.
Filed under:  site news

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Comments

Kyla

14 September, 2009 - 12:17

WOW!!! Congratulations Maki - cant wait to see the book!

Kyla

anon.

14 September, 2009 - 12:35

Congratulations! I would definitely buy that book, keep me updated! :)

Gita

bk201

14 September, 2009 - 13:00

Gratz! Looking forward to buying it!

Fiona

14 September, 2009 - 17:11

Gambatte ne, Maki!

I'm sure it'll be great. : ) I trust your expertise.

Jessica

14 September, 2009 - 18:57

Congratulations! It's really cool you're publishing a book. I'll be more than happy to buy the book since I love all your recipes that I've tried. I like how you intend to add in some how-tos and tips which will be very useful. All the best in meeting the deadline! (^^)

Nico

14 September, 2009 - 19:20

Cool! I can't wait to buy it! Congratulations. :)

Diana

14 September, 2009 - 20:14

A huge CONGRATULATIONS! Can't wait to see your bento book when it comes out!

openwoc

15 September, 2009 - 05:27

Awesome! Congratulations! Can't wait to find it on the shelves over here and buy it!

Sonia

15 September, 2009 - 05:42

Congrats! Wll look forward to the book :)

tsukari

15 September, 2009 - 09:08

omedetou gozaimasu! =D

kim

16 September, 2009 - 02:38

Congratulations! That's very exciting. I look forward to adding you to my library. How can we loyal readers obtain a signed copy? Will you come on book tour?

maki

16 September, 2009 - 10:24

It's still early in the process so I really have no idea about a book tour, sorry! I'll try to figure out about signing copies when the time comes.... thanks for your support :)

Rachel

16 September, 2009 - 21:43

I'm very excited, even though it means you can't post as much. :\ I'm sure it will be worth it in the end, good luck.

Swati

17 September, 2009 - 13:58

Great news! Do concentrate on your book; we'll be waiting!

MN

19 September, 2009 - 14:15

That is really, really awesome! I can't wait to see it!!

Eclaire

21 September, 2009 - 06:11

Wow. >_< I just came across your site a day ago & I cannot stop coming back to it. I'm going for a degree in Japanese and wanted to study abroad for a semester to get a feel for it, but also wanted to learn some basic cooking techniques so that I could not only use them here, but over there. I love, love culture. It's beautiful.

I want to thank you for for all your hard work and putting time into blogging. I love the internet for this reason. It helps people out & brings them together without them knowing. :) So thanks again!

Lisa

21 September, 2009 - 23:18

Congrats! Can't wait to see it!

BellaRisingInc.

28 September, 2009 - 15:31

This is wonderful news, Maki. I'm sure I speak for many of us when I say I have been a loyal devotee to your site for a while now and have gained so much from the work you put in here. You are an excellent teacher, a wonderful resource and we wish you continued success on this endeavor!

pasha

2 October, 2009 - 00:50

Complimenti, complimenti! So well-deserved for you!

Mary V

19 October, 2009 - 23:49

I was trying to look through your Just Bento archives with all the recipes and thought, jeez, Maki needs to turn this into a book. Especially with the lack of functional bento books in the English-speaking market, I think your book will fill a void. I can't wait! Especially since I do collect and use the few functional bento cookbooks out there. Good luck!

Jessica in Oklahoma

1 November, 2009 - 20:26

While looking through the binder of recipes I've printed out from this site, I was just thinking that I would love to own a cookbook written by you.

Good luck!

Laura

3 November, 2009 - 14:45

Wow, good for you! i hope your book writing goes well! i love your recipes and stories and I will look forward to reading your book. good luck.

Sushi Greg

4 November, 2009 - 22:19

Yay!
Well congratulations!
Any idea what time next year it is going to be released?

Shari

6 November, 2009 - 03:34

Wow, congratulations! Landing a book deal with Kodansha is huge. I have quite a number of books printed by them. It'll be neat to see you book come out.

Gigi

22 November, 2009 - 03:50

I am going to buy your book (and whatever books you subsequently publish) no matter what!

You are an amazing writer and cookbook alchemist. Whatever you cook up will be fabulous.

Good luck! You can do it!

akyoku

1 December, 2009 - 12:55

congratulations!
ah~ cant wait to see your book!!!
i always prefered your website over the usual cooking books out there ^^
enjoy writing it! XD