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April 27th, 2009
11:16 am - Book update, kinda
Ha. According to Amazon.com my book is “frequently bought together” with “Tonight” by Franz Ferdinand. I guess when you are # 1,340,897 in sales, a couple of people can have a big impact. Previously the related items were all books on sex work.
The official new release date is July 1. No, I will not guarantee that. And no, you will not be able to miss it when I know for sure.
Current Music: Camper Van Beethoven
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March 19th, 2009
09:51 am - My book
Hey just a little update on the state of my book since a bunch of folks have asked me: it has been delayed. The new, tentative, release date is July 1. I was waiting to announce the delay until I had a more definite new release date but since the original release date is upon us -- and I know some of you folks pre-ordered it -- it seems only fair to give you the heads-up that it won't be arriving in the mail or your local bookstores this month.
Keep your fingers crossed for July!
Current Music: Mountain Goats -- "See America Right"
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December 16th, 2008
11:12 am - Questions answered
(Here are the answers to some recent questions. Feel free to ask more in the comments. Even anonymously, if you feel the need.)
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) grassfire asks -- why cheese?
It was an accident. I just wanted a job at the hippie worker co-op. The opening just happened to be in cheese. The rest is history.
reveritas asks -- did i miss a bunch of posts about finding an agent and publisher for your book?
No, I made a decision when I started writing the book that I wouldn’t discuss it in my journal. I didn’t discuss it in person unless someone (like my co-workers) had a need to know. I didn’t want to field questions about how it was going, I didn’t want another cheese person to beat me to the “cheese memoir” (a previously untapped genre), and I didn’t want to be the person talking about their “book” that they never actually finished.
I decided to complete the manuscript before trying to sell it, so once I finished everything went pretty quickly. I am incredibly fortunate to have lucked into (15 years ago) a job in something that would become a trendy subject: my ability to create a sellable manuscript was greatly enhanced so it went faster than for most people I know.
tammylc asserts -- Piave is the king of cheeses. Agree or disagree?
I love Piave (at least the aged red label version) but “King of Cheese”? Nah.
It can’t even beat Parmigiano Reggiano for that title in Italy. Piave doesn’t have the history, complexity or size. Other cheeses that claim the title include: Stilton, Beaufort, Roquefort, and Epoisses and probably a bunch of others.
As for Monarchs in general, I think Chumbawamba speaks for me (in this bizarre unofficial video):
( Poacher comes with his poacher's gun --
Out in the woods to shoot someone --
‘My lord your time has come’ --
Right between the eyes!’ )
Current Music: Chumbawamba -- "Farewell to the Crown"
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December 8th, 2008
11:01 am - A Sunday cheese day in Sonoma
I probably should have publicized it –really I just forgot – but most of you wouldn’t have trekked up to Sonoma on a cold Sunday afternoon to see some of the best cheesemakers in the country anyway. Am I wrong?
Clark Wolf, a super sweet guy and longtime cheese professional, has a book out about American Artisanal cheeses. I bought a copy and I definitely recommend it.* Clark tells the stories of many of the best U.S. cheesemakers: what they do, why they do it, and how they made it happen.
It’s clearly a tribute to Clark that he got a number of cheesemakers to travel for this event. Jennifer Bice (Redwood Hill) and Ig Vella (Vella Cheese) were close by, but Franklin Peluso came all the way up from San Luis Obispo, David Gremmels (Rogue Creamery) came down from Oregon, and Mateo Kehler (Jasper Hill) came all the way from Vermont.
It was an educational event put on by my pal Sheana Davis and cost $20per person (The Sonomans tell me even events in the parks cost money in Sonoma. Another reason to live in a city, I tell ya) but folks got their money’s worth. First there was lots of wine to drink. Second, everyone got a cheese plate with Camellia, Mezzo Secco, Franklin’s Teleme, Rogue River Blue, and Constant Bliss plus accompaniments. I was there to sell the cheese people were tasting in case anyone was so overcome that they needed to buy a piece on the spot.
Anyways, it was a good time. Clark interviewed each cheesemaker about their history and the things that make them unique. smallstages and I ate lots of cheese. (Of course I only sold about 10 pieces. Good thing I’m not gonna charge work for my time.) But check out Clark’s book, it’s pretty awesome.
*Makes a great xmas present. Especially combined with a pre-order of my book Cheesemonger which comes out in March. Yes, I will be plugging it at every opportunity. Why do you ask?
Current Music: Stereo MCs -- "Ground Level"
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