Literary agent deadlines - May I have your favorite crush recipes?

Cellar Rats (ITB)
1

Hi, everyone! Sorry to be absent so long, but I have great news. I am once again working on a cookbook—a compilation of winery recipes from small wineries. (I know, I said to shoot me if I ever did another cookbook, but … )

Initial response from literary agents has been overwhelming … I got my first positive response within 5 hours of sending out query letters. Of the queried literary agents, I have requests from three reputable agents (two in California, one in New York) who have looked at the query, then requested sample pages, and now want the full package: a complete book proposal, a marketing plan and a table of contents. Like yesterday. [training.gif]

There is no regional barrier—I want to include all of my Berserker friends from around the United States and the world.

I know that many of you are just now tidying up harvest, but if you can …

Please respond with a title and a brief description of your recipe, so I can reserve a spot for you in the project. The plan is to include 80 recipes in the finished book, and ten essays. I already have over 20 submissions, so please respond quickly if you would like to reserve a space. You can always send the full recipe later. All wineries and individuals will receive credit for their recipes.

The book will also have b&w action photography and a few essays on funny winemaking escapades or contemplative, food-related moments. So if you have any really great portrait shots (high resolution, clear face shot, good light and composition) of cellar and vineyard people in action, I invite you to submit them. If you think you would like to write an essay, let me know as well.

(Recipes CANNOT be torn out of a magazine or sourced from a reference book. Recipes will be matched against published databases. They must be your own ORIGINAL recipe or strikingly original version of a classic or popular dish.)

Let me know if you have any questions.

[thankyou.gif]

2

Recipes I gots, a winery, I don’t.

Is there a way I can help?

(good to see you back)

3

Thanks, Mark! Actually, my next project will definitely be a ‘wine lovers’ cookbook … I would love to have you email me your recipe or idea now. Distributors, sales folk and wine fans seem to understand the potential enthusiasm even more than winery owners, so that gave me the idea to start organizing another collection while I’m working on the first. There seems to be a degree of editorial enthusiasm for a cookbook that can ride the triple set of celebrity, wine, and accessibility. I seem to have two things that appeal to agents and editors–a deep network of contacts in the wine industry; and a complete devotion to using b/w action photography instead of food styling. And I’d like to continue that into the ‘wine lovers’ edition, with b/w portraits of people cooking at home. And grilling. Gotta have the grill.

4

A genuine good luck to you, Mary !

5

Holdredge’s Hangover Cure

Carefully pour the juice from a quart of Russian River Pinot Noir.
Consume.
Repeat as needed.

I’ll pm an address for my royalty checks.

6

Three meals a day at the winery:

Breakfast:
Pick up sweets and coffee at the bakery
Consume immediately


Lunch:
Send an intern out for sandwiches and cookies
Open a bottle of wine
Consume immediately

Dinner:
Chill beer
Open beer with a bottle opener
Consume immediately

I’d be laughing it I weren’t so serious.