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!)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider becoming my patron via Patreon. ^_^
Comments
Kyla
14 September, 2009 - 12:17
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
WOW!!! Congratulations Maki - cant wait to see the book!
Kyla
anon.
14 September, 2009 - 12:35
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Congratulations! I would definitely buy that book, keep me updated! :)
Gita
bk201
14 September, 2009 - 13:00
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Gratz! Looking forward to buying it!
Fiona
14 September, 2009 - 17:11
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Gambatte ne, Maki!
I'm sure it'll be great. : ) I trust your expertise.
Jessica
14 September, 2009 - 18:57
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Cool! I can't wait to buy it! Congratulations. :)
Diana
14 September, 2009 - 20:14
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
A huge CONGRATULATIONS! Can't wait to see your bento book when it comes out!
openwoc
15 September, 2009 - 05:27
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Awesome! Congratulations! Can't wait to find it on the shelves over here and buy it!
Sonia
15 September, 2009 - 05:42
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Congrats! Wll look forward to the book :)
tsukari
15 September, 2009 - 09:08
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
omedetou gozaimasu! =D
kim
16 September, 2009 - 02:38
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Great news! Do concentrate on your book; we'll be waiting!
MN
19 September, 2009 - 14:15
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
That is really, really awesome! I can't wait to see it!!
Eclaire
21 September, 2009 - 06:11
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Congrats! Can't wait to see it!
BellaRisingInc.
28 September, 2009 - 15:31
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Complimenti, complimenti! So well-deserved for you!
Mary V
19 October, 2009 - 23:49
Permalink
I was just thinking that....
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
Yay!
Well congratulations!
Any idea what time next year it is going to be released?
Shari
6 November, 2009 - 03:34
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
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
Permalink
Re: Yep I'm working on a book
congratulations!
ah~ cant wait to see your book!!!
i always prefered your website over the usual cooking books out there ^^
enjoy writing it! XD