Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Homegrown and Handmade coming fall 2011

In fall 2011, my first book will be published -- Homegrown and Handmade. It's a how-to book on growing your own produce, meat, eggs, dairy, and even fiber. And then once you've grown it, the book will explain what to do with it -- how to make your own goat cheese or wool scarf. There will be recipes for what to do when your kitchen is overflowing with eggs during the spring, and I'll have instructions and recipes for cooking stew hens and other traditional foods. Of course, homesteaders will find a lot of valuable info in the book, but it's also for urbanites who shop at the farmer's market or have their own garden or backyard hens.

So, how did all of this come about? Well, back in September when I was at the Mother Earth News Fair, a representative of New Society Publishing approached me and suggested that I might have a book in me. She had read my bio on the Mother Earth News site and visited the blog. She attended my soapmaking session, and we had a meeting where we started talking about ideas. Over the past month, I've written a book proposal, which we've tweaked for content, and today, I signed the contract.

It's a little surreal and overwhelming at times to think that I am writing a book! But I've already started, and I've knocked off 3,000 words, so I only have another 77,000 to go by February 15. The book will add up to about 288 pages. As usual, the family is being super supportive. Awesome daughter Katherine has volunteered to do most of the milking for the next few months, so I'll have more time for writing.

I promise all of you right now that I won't be one of those bloggers who gets a book deal and totally forgets about blogging. I love sharing all of my adventures with you and hearing what you think of all of it. No doubt I'll be asking you all for advice on various topics as I work through the chapters. And the best part of all this is the book tour, which means I'll get to meet some of you!

19 comments:

Michelle said...

A huge congratulations - how exciting!

Deborah Niemann said...

Thanks, Michelle! How close are you to San Francisco? I'm looking at conference next fall, and there are two there. So far, I haven't noticed anything in Oregon.

Michelle said...

I'm not sure, but I think it's a 12-14 hour drive. My husband has flown there a couple times for veterinary conferences. I'll hope for one in Portland, OR!

MichelleH said...

Congratulations! That's very exciting! I look forward to reading it :)

Nancy K. said...

Wow, Deborah ~ that's AWESOME! How exciting. Your family has got to be so PROUD of you.

Congratulations. I can't wait to see your book!

pedalpower said...

I'm so happy for you! Smart publisher too....of course you have a book in you! We've been reading your story and learning with you for a long time already!

Miss Effie said...

Congrates!!! Its about time someone recognized that!!!!!

I want an autographed copy ... put me on the list!

BlueGate said...

Congrats and woohoo! Your readers in Iowa will be waiting with barely contained excitement!

Ray said...

Congrats on the book deal.

Penny said...

Fabulous news!

The Apple Pie Gal said...

That is AWESOME! Can't wait to get my hands on it! No pressure! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Hoosier Homesteader said...

CONGRATS! I can't wait to add your book to our collection!

Vegetable Garden Cook said...

Congratulations! I'll hope for one in Portland too.

Heidi said...

Oh how amazingly exciting! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I've enjoyed everything I've learned from your blog so much. It will be wonderful to have a reference tool from you in my hands.

Emily Cole said...

Oh, how wonderful and exciting!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this book - it sounds wonderful!

Sarah said...

Congratulations! I am so, so happy for you!!!!!

Jeanne said...

Deborah I'm so happy for you! You've got great material and a gift for words, so the work will go well! Congratulations!

I'm now off to search your blog to see if you have any posts on dogs protecting livestock. That was my son's question of the day, and I told him I knew where I'd look first!

I know that's the kind of experience the publisher saw in you!

Donna said...

What wonderful news!!! Congrats! I know what a few friends will be getting for Christmas next year....and, of course, I will need a copy, too. :0)

L said...

I just wanted to throw this out there, I know that I am late to respond, but tea tree oil is a fabulous alternative to deo, toothpaste, and it has many more uses.

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