22 May 2012

put me to work, you would think that by now i'm allowed, i'll do you proud

Okay.

Okay.

Look, at some point when I'm more emotionally stable I'll write something deep and meaningful that convinces you that I'm up to the task, of the task that I'm about to tell you that I'm up to, but in the meantime, know this. I've kept a secret from you since January 19. That day I got an email. Which resulted in hours and hours and hours of work. And some tears. And so much waiting. And then a phone call this afternoon.

The phone call which means that I, Laura Vincent, food blogger, am going to write a cookbook. A REAL COOKBOOK. For you! And you! And you and you and you you and you!

I've barely slept over the last few days and poor Tim (although, let's face it, lucky Tim), it's all I've talked about, and today was nothing but a strange blur (although dazedly asking if anyone wants to volunteer "as tribute" instead "for chair" during an important meeting that I myself was chairing kinda sticks out). I can't say just yet who's publishing it but you know them! You've totally heard of them and of course I'm going to say good things about them because they're being so cool but I promise you: couldn't have asked for a more exciting name behind my name. And of course they're awesome, right? They're publishing my cookbook! Who else had the foresight, the patience, the risk-take-ivity? This as-yet-unnamed publishing house, that's whom!


This is me after I found out, panic-stripped, and found myself wearing my shiny gold party dress. (I'm now back in trackpants, so you know.) That is the smile of someone who has wanted this for so, so long, with the fiery burn of a thousand French fries. This is the smile of someone who has had intense, self-worth-damaging disappointments along the way. This is the smile of someone who has kept a secret since January and has finally been able to share it with her parents and with the best friends in the world, who I'm totally dragging to the top with me to share in the joys of whatever being a cookbook author is like.

This is the smile of someone who sat on a bed this afternoon while waiting for the phone call and listened to Defying Gravity and cried and then wondered if someone who would do such a thing was suitable for a book deal. After giving it some thought I decided someone who does that absolutely deserves a book deal! I then watched the finale of Parks and Recreation again and cried again because I felt like what happened to Leslie Knope was a sign that everything was going to work out for me. Then I watched Defying Gravity (the Tony Awards show version) and cried again. Then I listened to Die, Vampire Die from [title of show] and looked at photos of capybaras and at a gif of Vince Noir and Howard Moon pashing. Then I watched Over the Moon from RENT. Finally, I started watching Donna McKechnie performing Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line. It got to the bit where she's sings the amazing line, "I'll dooooo you prouuuuuud". And then the phone rang.

And I got it. I GOT IT.

I promise, as well as this being one of the most important things to ever happen to me, I will make sure it's something that makes your life more amazing too. I think a cookbook can do that. I think my cookbook can do that. There will never have been a cookbook like this before!

I mean, I hope so. Even as someone given to panic attacks and an I'm-sure-delightful personality mix of absolutely sure of myself mixed with nauseating insecurity (hey there, publishing house!) I do believe in myself. I know I can do this.

I'm going to write a cookbook! I LOVE EVERYTHING! HEY NIGELLA, YOU SHOULD SEE ME NOW!

86 comments:

  1. You have no idea how happy this makes me and how proud I am of you. I didn't write a concession speech.

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    1. Thanks, campaign manager! I'd give you a Washington monument any day.

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  2. So thrilled for you, Laura, and selfishly MORE thrilled for ME, because I can't wait to buy it! Congratulations.

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  3. That is so, so, so AWESOME!!! I am super, super happy for you :)

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    1. Thanks Andrea, and I saw your awesome DM too! Thanks! Guess I've got to wait to hear more details yet.

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  4. You beaut juicy fruit!

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  5. This is incredible news! Congratulations! You absolutely deserve this, and I can honestly say that not only would I buy your book, but I alread feel like there's already a gap in my recipe book shelf that your book needs to fill. (You also need a TV show, but one awesome thing at a time, okay.)

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    1. Hey thank you so much Robyn! Such a nice thing to say. One thing at a time indeed, I'm guessing telling people about it is the easy part...

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  6. AnonymousMay 22, 2012

    Fabtastic is my word you

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  7. I'm just SO happy. And proud! and excited! You're the best and I cannot wait for your cookbook, which will be AMAZING. LIKE YOU ARE.

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  8. YAY!!! I am so happy for you - and also happy for me that I will get to have your awesomeness in book form! You better be signing copies for all of us to buy :)

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  9. That is great news, congratulations! We need more Kiwi Cookbooks - ones that capture what is to be a Kiwi NOT able to wander the country at will and use all the really amazing fresh ingredients, yet still get some seriously tasty food on the plate.

    We hope your "un-named publisher" is the one we think it is, because we will SO be up for reviewing that! (Subtle hint to publisher: Please remember us when it's time to email out media copies!) -cheeky wink-

    Again, Laura... CONGRATS!

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    1. Thank you so much! Sounds like you get it, I'll totally be in touch.

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  10. Yay!!! Way to go hon! That is fabulous news - cant wait to read it (and own a copy). Becks x

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  11. AnonymousMay 22, 2012

    YAY! So cool. You are the first person I know, in real life, who is WRITING A COOKBOOK! So so so so exciting. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (!!!!!) (!) (!!!!!!!!!!)

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    1. Thanks Mika! And thanks for your email. My face is totally like this right now: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. There are no words, there are no words, oh LAURA LAURA I'M SO BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! I think I'm going to cry with happiness. Love love love love a world a universe of love to you!!!! xoxoxo

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    1. HANNAH!!!!

      That is all. There are no words! A universe of love back to you. XX

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  13. AnonymousMay 22, 2012

    I first came across your blog when you did a guest feature in UO's humble Critic, and pretty much then and there went and read your whole blog from start to finish. I'm so so excited for you and to see the final product! So deserving of this!
    Best wishes x

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    1. That's so cool! I enjoyed writing that recipe for Critic, glad you've stuck around since then!

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  14. AnonymousMay 22, 2012

    P.s and yay for dreams coming true!

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  15. Yaaaaaaaaay Laura I always knew you deserved to be famous! Congrats and I and my converted friends in Dunedin are all going to buy your cookbook when it comes out!

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    1. Nicole, thanks so much! I'm in SUCH a buzzy goodwill kind of place that I'm like, "free cookbooks for the whole world!" but I don't think the publishers would go for that.

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  16. truely excellent news, i can't wait to buy and eat it x

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  17. Your MotherMay 22, 2012

    *Dabs corner of eyes* This might be the first cook book I've bought since Lynn Bedford Hall's "Cooking for New Zealanders" in the early '90s - and that was just for the pictures ... Congratulations. I'm so pleased for you. And all from a Cuba St kitchenette sans microwave.

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  18. Huge congrats! That's such exciting news, well done xx

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  19. Listening to "Defying Gravity" in such a situation is the BEST CHOICE EVER! Congrats!

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  20. OMG!!!
    That's so awesome!!!
    Well done you!
    I'm looking forward to buying it when it comes out :D

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  21. Brilliant! That's completely exciting!!!
    Definitely a must buy.
    And now we know you're up for a Musical too…

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  22. Just off the phone from Tim and have now calmed down enough, from dancing round the room, to sit and read your blog post. Huge congratulations to you! Fabulous! Amazing! Incredible! Laura ... go you!

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  23. OMG OMG OMG OMG! AWESOME! LAURA! AAAAAH. <3 So super duper proud of you!

    p.s. you should watch the finale of Smash, may make you cry more. xx

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  24. Fantastic! Hope it will be available in the UK :o)

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  25. Only the most excellent news in the world. You rock! So well deserved and we are all hanging out for the release - I know, a bit soon, but seriously, we are very proud. Sooooooooo cool!

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    1. AnonymousMay 22, 2012

      A very proud Nana, I am so excited for you. I so remember you cooking for about 8 people when you were very young, you had it all planned, and you were given money to buy the ingredients. What a great meal it was. There were quite a few courses too. You have worked so hard, enjoy the ride. lots of love,

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  26. Amazing and fantastic! Congratulations!

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  27. Wow congratulations Laura!! That is such amazingly fantastic lifechangingly perfect news! You totally deserve it. x

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    1. Thank you Sophie! I hope it's life changing :) xx

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  28. Oh goodness I am excited for this. Congratulations!

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  29. EEEE! This is amazing. So happy for you.

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  30. YAAAAAAY LAURA! How exciting! Congratulations xxx

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  31. Wow !!!! Congratulations! That's huuuuuuuge!!!!! Yay for you!

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    1. Iiiiii know, brain still processing it haha. Thank so much!

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  32. YAYYAYYAYYAYYAY!!

    Did you give them a proposal, or did they seek you out? Either answer indicates that major props are due to you. So well deserved!

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    1. They approached me. Thanks so much! Definitely feeling pretty yayayayayay right now!

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  33. That's so amazing and exciting!! Congratulations!!!! :)

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  34. AnonymousMay 23, 2012

    I work with your friend Stacey and she was telling me about your book deal. Congratulations!!!! That is so exciting!!!!!!

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  35. that is so exciting!! congratulations.. it couldn't be more deserved. I can't waiiit to buy it!!!!!! :-)

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  36. Congratulations Laura!! I love your blog and I'm so going to save all my money up so I can get a copy of your cookbook! Your blog is amazing, so great for my student lifestyle and my obsession with baking, and ice cream! I have eaten well and stayed happy since discovering your blog. Your book will be STELLAR. SO EXCITING!!!!!!

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    1. Wow Anneke, thanks so much for the high praisin'! Hope the book lives up to it XX

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  37. WOOOO! YEAH! Congratulations, lady!

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  38. Awesome news Laura, I found your blog by following Lynn's and thoroughly enjoy it! Thank you for the entertainment, food ideas and laugh's and good luck with the book

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  39. That's such fabulous news Laura... I hope they use that photo of your beaming face on the cover! I'm proud to be a blogging mate of a real cook book writer.

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  40. AnonymousMay 23, 2012

    Too exciting! Congratulations and more congratulations and may you be blessed with inspirational chef-writing lyrics so that you become even more special and reputed and admired and enjoyed ... Than ever. That is so exciting. So glad you're now able to share so we can enjoy the anticipation with you :)

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  41. AnonymousMay 23, 2012

    Yay! I can't wait!! I love your spunk and your creativity! Wow you're gin and tonic icecream puts you streaks ahead of Nigella. You're miles better than her! I've a few of her cookbooks and tried some of her recipes! Most of my disasters have resulted from following Nigella recipes.

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  42. Can't wait till I get my hands on a copy!

    Yay for you!

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  43. Laura, that is such awesome news - very well deserved. I'm so proud of you and that, when your book comes out, I'll be able to say "I know her". Can't wait to get the book - I just know it's going to be exceptional xo

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  44. Woah! This is such good news! Go you! x

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  45. OMG sorry for the delay, but HUGE congratulations and I cannot WAIT to see it. You have been, and continue to be, a real inspiration! Yay yay YAY!

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  46. SQUEALLLLLLLLLLLLL and you know just how loud that will be lol. Double backflips of joy for you, this is wonderful news, whoop whoop (and again from the beginning, lol from your very proud Aunt :):):)

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  47. Wow so exciting!! It will be eagerly anticipated by all of us. Have fun!

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  48. Okay, okay, so this is so exciting Laura! Well done you!! I know from personal experience how hard it is to get a book deal, and so you must have put in a good pitch! As someone who is coming to the end of my own book publication process, I can tell you it will be a lot of work, but also, totally worth it. Nothing beats a good book :)

    Congratulations, you so deserve it!

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  49. AnonymousMay 30, 2012

    Congratulations on the great news. I look forward to your upcoming book. May the road be smooth and paved with it's own twists and adventures.

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  50. AnonymousJune 03, 2012

    Congratulations Laura, it's going to be a crazy year for you! When will it be published?

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  51. Yippee! :D So look forward to reading it, I know it will be enchanting - the way your writing and pictures always are. Congratulations!

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  52. Laura that's an excellent news ! So happy for you ! I know you have always wanted this to happen and here it is ! You rock ;)

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  53. OMG...congratulations! Such exciting news!

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