A New(ish) Book!
A New(ish) Book!
Jump to RecipeUPDATE: This book exists now! Check out more info on it and buy it today!
Many of you probably know that I self-published my first full cookbook called Cornerstone Cooking through Amazon last March.
The book was only available on Amazon and was about $21. That was a bit more expensive than I would’ve liked, but I couldn’t really get the cost lower than that.
If you happen to search for the book now on Amazon, you’ll see that $21 was a steal compared to what it is now!
Obviously, I do not want you to pay almost $2,000 for a cookbook that I wrote!
The reason the price shot up is because I actually discontinued the book and I guess that somehow makes it a collector’s item.
A New(ish) Book is Born
After a few months of Cornerstone Cooking sales and reviews, my agent worked out a deal with a publisher (Lyons Press) to help me re-release the book in a better format. In short, I liked the experiment of self-publishing, but I found that it wasn’t right for me or for this project so I was happy to find a real publisher to help me get my vision straight.
The new version of the book will include some nifty stuff like:
- A new title. When I started dreaming up this book, I loved the name Cornerstone Cooking, but I think it’s confusing now and doesn’t really say what the book is about.
- A new format. The new book will be hardcover and be printed on better paper than the standard Amazon self-published stuff.
- Six new chapters. I’m almost doubling the length of the book. It will include the eight chapters that were in the self-published book with some new recipes and changes, but also six completely new chapters.
- New Photos. All new photos. I think my photography has improved a bit so I’m really pushing myself to make the new photos as good as possible.
- Meal Plans, Tips, and Tricks. I have more room with this new version so I’ll be able to include full chapters on food storage tips, equipment, pantry supplies, and sample meal plans — All things I couldn’t fit into the self-published version.
A Brief Schedule Change
If you are a regular Macheesmo reader, you probably know that I’m a bit obsessive about my posting schedule. Basically, I try to update this site 6 days a week which is pretty ambitious for one dude.
I think I’m going to have to cut back on this for the next few months to prioritize the book. I want it to be as good as possible so I need to focus some extra energy on it. I think I’ll cut my Macheesmo posts down to 4-5 posts per week which still isn’t shabby!
Please don’t leave me! As always, you can subscribe to new updates for free via RSS or via email.
TESTERS WANTED (Updated)!
One of the critiques that I got a few times on the first book and that I’ve heard about other cookbooks written by bloggers is that the recipes can be short on perspective.
Sure, all of the recipes worked fine when I made them in my specific kitchen, but that’s a pretty small sample size!
I want to improve this for the new version of this book, so I’m asking for your help!
I’m looking for a group of recipe testers to help me try out some of the recipes I’ve created for the new book. I promise not to over-work you! You’ll get to pick what chapter you test from and you’ll only be given a few recipes to try out.
I haven’t decided how many testers I’m taking yet, but the more the merrier for now. If you do become a tester, I’ll be sure to figure out a fun way to thank you for the help!
Update: In just a few hours, I had over 200 people fill out the taste tester form so I turned it off! I’m not sure what to do with that many testers but I’ll figure it out! Thanks everyone for being so responsive!
If everything goes according to plan, the new version of the book will be out in early 2014!
The form isn’t loading up for me. But I’d like to be a tester. Why not, I make your recipes already anyway!
I sent you an email with instructions Matt. Should be working though. People seem to be filling it out okay.
Wow, congrats Nick! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Congratulations on the new book!
Much deserved – an official cookbook. As for testers, pick ME! Pick ME!
This is amazing Nick, congrats! I’ve got the original book and I love it…can’t wait to see what the new one has to offer. I signed up to be a tester–it’s so awesome that you’re giving us all a chance to help!
Please! It’s so awesome that you’re helping! :)
Please, please, please pick me to be a tester! Filled out the form. You’ll have a whole chapter on Lentils?! Super exciting :)
Would be an honor. I tried your Lomo saltado last night. A few bobbles on my end, but overall a great!! dish. I need some incentive to try some new things.
I filled out the form too!
Congratulations Nick!
Congrats on the new book Nick!
I sign up to be a tester-can’t wait.
It’s awesome that you asked for our help
Pick me, Pick me. Would love to help out!
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Seriously, it is a great idea to get tester to maybe work out small kinks in the recipe. I am positive my family would enjoy me trying all this good stuff on them! Good luck with the new book.
you are BRILLIANT to ask readers to be testers!! i have to agree with everyone else..i hope you pick me!!
pick me, too! please!
Congrats on the new book, cant wait to get it! Hopefully I can be your vegetarian expert recipe tester!
I am a loyal reader and I purchased the first book. It was one of the only new cookbooks I spent money on this year, and though I’m happy for you, a little part of me wishes that I had known the hardcover, expanded version was coming, because I would have saved my $21 plus shipping toward that purchase. Oh well, ya win some and lose some. I’m not going to quibble about a few bucks toward the success of a blog I like very much and want to see continue to expand and succeed. Good luck!
Hey Meg, ya… I wish there was some way I could issue a worldwide credit to those that bought the earlier book. I feel bad about it, but there isn’t much I can do. I pulled the old version as soon as I knew the new version was happening. And trust me… the new version will be a lot better.
Thanks for the support! :)
Congratulations, Nick, that’s great! I filled out the form and I”ll add my voice to the chorus of “pick me!”
How exciting! Definitely going to be awesome, I’m sure =)
Hi Nick, all the very best for your new cookbook. I’d love to be a tester for your vegetarian recipes and of course all the desserts, but you’d have to fly me from halfway around the world :)
If you need to ask about any (vegetarian) Indian recipe, feel free to.
Good luck!
It’s torture, waiting to find out if we’re the chosen ones.
Hi Nick as a lover of the cornerstone cookbook I was wondering if you were abe to release a digital version as well ? I will be buying your new anyways but it would be nice to be able to read it on my ipad.
thanks
Julian
Hey Julian, I think the new version will have an ebook/app of some sort but the old one doesn’t unfortunately. Thanks!
Darn! Sorry I missed it. I’d love to be a taste tester for the new book. I swear I’ll find a way to buy the new release. Honest! =^,,^=
Congratulations, Nick, that’s fabulous news and I couldn’t be happier for you! :)
Hey, man.
This is awesome. It looks like this whole thing has been pretty successful; congrats!
I am currently obsessed with your blog (I only discovered it last night!) and just stumbled on this post about your book.
I am hoping you could provide a personal list of must-have cookbooks. I’m talking like five or six books that, thinking back, you wouldn’t have wanted to go without when your interest in cooking/learning/sharing really started to develop, and that maybe you still use today.
Also, out of curiosity, who are some of the chefs/cooks who inspire you?
Thank you,
ejonesing
Heya! Thanks for reading! I’ll have to think on the list of cookbooks… definitely How to Cook Everything, one or two America’s Test Kitchen books, The Flavor Bible, American Pie… I could go on. :)
As far as chefs, not a ton on the list since I don’t really have inspirations of opening a resetaurant ever… Bittman is definitely on the list. I like his no fuss style. Also, T. Florence is always dependable and seems like a fun guy.
Cheers!
Nick
Found your recipe for crunchy black bean tacos on Pinterest and was eager for your cookbook, only to stumble onto this entry. Anything ever come of the cookbook?
Hey Jenn! Yep. The new book comes out April 1st actually. You can already preorder it on Amazon if you want (http://amzn.to/1eXHIGM). I haven’t exactly started promoting it just yet, but I’ll be writing more about it in the next few months.
I hope you can check it out and like it! Cheers!