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Friday, September 2, 2011

Writing a cookbook part 9: publicity, and the book name is....



Party Food for Girls featured on the September issue of NZ House and Garden magazine


Today the book that I have written with my daughter Arantxa is officially on sale, and finally I can reveal the title: Party Food for Girls. I am preparing the book launch at the Lopdell House for the 15 of September, it will be a big party, but I will post about it in due course. The book is available in NZ, Australia and UK from all good bookshops (including Boomerang Books, Fishpond and Wheelers in Australia, and WHSmith and Amazon UK in the UK), and from specialist shops in many more countries. If you live in the US you can find it on Amazon.com (also good worldwide), and soon the book will be available in Canada from Amazon.ca, in Japan from Amazon Japan, in Sweden and Scandinavian countries from Bokus.com, in Germany from Amazon.de, in France from Amazon.fr and for other European countries go to The Book Depository. There are more websites that stock it, but I don't have the time now to research them all (or post them all).

In Italy... I don't know... blogger italiani, per favore, potete vedere se lo venderanno da qualche parte, magari nei reparti per libri in inglese? O su qualche sito specializzato?

I know that all this sounds very impressive, but really, if you think that writing a book, doing all the photos, editing etc. is hard work, well, nothing compares with the 'art' of selling. You either have your own TV show, or you will need to rely to other media, supportive book sellers, and word of mouth. It is a busy period, lots of interviews, especially for Arantxa. I have to say that all the journalists so far have been great, knowing that she is only 12 and at school they came to us at home, on Saturday mornings or in the afternoons after school. There will be several 'outings' though: mostly demos, book signings and appearances, but I am determined not to upset her routine and her normal school and after school activities. This is hard: food writers are often out there promoting their books like mad (this is why many either have no children, or the children have grown up, or they have a 'wife'). I will have to do with less publicity, so vital in a competitive sector overloaded with fast turning cookbooks, TV chefs and supermarket chefs. So I will probably ask for a little help from my blogger friends,  and possibly do a give-away... do you think that it would be a good idea? After all I believe in blogging, it is the people voice, free and democratic :-).

And if you live in NZ or Australia but haven't seen the book in the bookshops yet, you can still have a little 'taste' from this month NZ House and Garden magazine. NZ House and Garden has the very first exclusive to talk about the book, and has dedicated 4 pages to Party Food for Girls, with 5 recipes and photos. And you know what? This is the first time that Arantxa has a byline in a magazine, and it is great that it should be NZ House and Garden, she loves it and when she was at primary school she used to have a scrap book with cuttings of interiors, cakes and pretty things just from this very magazine! Well, maybe she will become a designer, I would be happy if I could leave all my propping to her!

Let me know if you like the idea of the give-away, and stay tuned for the big party!
Thank you for all your support.

Ciao
Alessandra



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43 comments:

  1. JohnnySeptember 2, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Fantastic stuff, I look forward to seeing your book and purchasing it! I will definitely plug your book on my blog too!

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  2. franci e valeSeptember 2, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Farò volentieri questa ricerca. Bravissima Alessandra, complimenti per questo libro, che sembra delizioso, e per tutte le altre cose che fai!Tua figlia deve essere felicissima!!baci

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  3. Emma GallowaySeptember 2, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Awesome! Huge congratulations to you both. All the best xx

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  4. AlessandraSeptember 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Thank you ladies :-), grazie Franci, ma visto che e' uscito qui oggi forse se mai arrivera' in Italia ci mettera' di piu'... comunque, con le librerie virtuali non si puo' mai sapere.

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  5. TamtamSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Ho capito molto poco, perché questo traduttore del cavolo traduce come vuole lui...ho capito che tua figlia, dodicenne, ha scritto, con il tuo aiuto, un libro, il cui titolo dovrebbe essere Cucina per un party per ragazze, insomma ricette per party per ragazzine, è così? l'altra cosa che ho capito, che vorresti pubblicità nei blog, è così?, per me va benissimo, per quello che conta il mio blog, mi mandi una foto, un banner, quello che vuoi ed io lo metto subito, posso anche parlarne in un post, però con una traduzione esatta...sono contenta per tua figlia...baci

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  6. AlessandraSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Ciao Tam, il libro l'abbiamo scritto insieme, ovviamente lei e' la protagonista ed io un po' la bestia da soma, ma e' stato bello lavorare insieme, e poi i bambini devono imparare a cucinare, e' giusto che mangino cose buone anche alle loro feste, invece di andare ai McDonalds e postacci del genere, come fanno spesso qui.

    Grazie per il supporto, penso che faro' un blog candy, metti il banner e vinci il libro... e con una spiegazione in italiano. Che ne pensi?

    Ciao
    Alessandra

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  7. franci e valeSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    dimenticavo...per il supporto, puoi contare su di noi, naturalmente.Il give-away mi sembra una bella idea....!Dicci cosa vorresti fare, ciao

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  8. FedericaSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Auguroni per il libro ^__^ Sono andata subito curiosa a cercarlo su Amazon.it ma ancora niente. Magari tra un po' sarà disponibile anche qui...spero! Bella idea quella del blog candy. Appena sarà pronto il banner lo metto subito. Un bacione, buon we

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  9. Red Nomad OZSeptember 2, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Congratulations! It's great you & your daughter could do something like this together - what great memories you'll both have!

    A giveaway is a great idea (if I win!! joke ...) - but why not make us work for it? Maybe give it away to the person who tells the most people about it online?? Good luck!

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  10. AlessandraSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    hehehe Red, are you the lucky type? it would be difficult to work out who tell the most people, but the blog candy/banner seems to be a winner :-).

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  11. DanaSeptember 2, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Alessandraaaa! Congratulazioni! Bellissimo aver realizzato un libro di cucina con tua figlia! Spero proprio si possa acquistare in Italia, comincio a cercarlo. Aspetto anche il tuo candy per pubblicizzarlo sul blog e magari incrocio anche le dita, non si sa mai!
    A Parigi non vado, riaprono le scuole e tocca lavorare!
    Un forte abbraccio a te e a tua figlia, bravissime!

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  12. GianniSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Le mie più sincere congratulazioni a te e figlia! Il blog candy mi sembra perfetto per della pubblicità....se vuoi ti posso anche prestare la mia pagina di facebook!!! Un bacio

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  13. AlessandraSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Grazie Dana e Gianni, mamma mia i blogger italiani sono sempre cosi' gentili! Un bacione a tutti, ora di andare a nanna qui :-).

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  14. Sweet Snow FlakesSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Your book looks great! I will check it out at amazon!!

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  15. ArtùSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Ma che emozione....un libro??? lo voglio lo voglio lo voglio, provo a chiedere al mio mitico libraio di fiducia, mi ha procurato libri introvabili......provo????

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  16. UnknownSeptember 3, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Ciao Alessandra, lo comprero` sicuramente, la mia piccola Isabella si divertira`!

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  17. SerenaSeptember 3, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Alessandra, hai scritto un cookbook? Congratulazioni vivissime, hai realizzato il sogno di ogni blogger! Ma in poche ne avete le capacità! Farò del mio meglio per scoprire se in Italia è disponibile, perché... lo voglio!!!

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  18. Chiara September 3, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    anche io ti ospiterò molto volentieri nel mio blog Alessandra! aspetto il banner, buon we, un bacione...

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  19. Food Glorious Food!September 3, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Congratulations! I am so happy for you!

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  20. MartissimaSeptember 3, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    ma bene qui si prepara una grande festa, seppur virtualmente partecipo volentieri, congratulazioni al gentil sesso di casa ........se puoi dacci spiegazioni in merito al give-away , magari in italiano ;-)) ciauzzzzzzzz

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  21. Cooking GallerySeptember 3, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Congrats, Alessandra, it does sound very impressive indeed...:D)! I wish I could write a cookbook too;)! But I do get what you mean, it must be a very tiresome work to promote the book...I wish you and your daughter all the very best :D)!

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  22. AlessandraSeptember 3, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    @ Sweet, let me know if you see it in Japan, the last two were in Kinokuniya and ...oh, another big chain but I forgot the name now...Maruzen?

    @ Artu', grazie, sai che i librai di fiducia , soprattutto se piccoli ed indipendenti, sono un tesoro. E si fanno arrivare edizioni dall'estero senza problema, anche se e' solo una copia!

    @ Ilaria, che bello risentirti!!! Come stai? Come sta Isabella?? Una coccola grande a tutte e due :-)

    @ Serena, grazie, non so se hai notato ma questo posto e' la parte 9 di come scrivere (e pubblicare0 un libro di cucina, perche' so benissimo che e' il sogno di molti blogger, e quindi, come una ricetta filmata, ho scritto il libro facendo vedere ogni passo. Magari ti puo' interessare :-).

    @ Chiara, grazie, sapevo di poter contare su di te, che poi scrivi anche in inglese!

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  23. AlessandraSeptember 3, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    @ Astro, mi piace l'idea della festa virtuale :-). Faro' il blog candy e daro' spiegazioni anche in italiano!

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  24. Vic RobinsonSeptember 3, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Awesome! Congrats!

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  25. Selena Ze ArteestSeptember 3, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Great job was done! My congratulations for the new book.

    I see now you are busy with the launch.. but I have a hope you will participate too. Alessandra you can send your previously made creations, that is OK.

    I am not sure if I can buy your book in Russia. I will travel to Tokyo in October. Mayby it is possible to find it there.

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  26. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Congrats on the book! What an awesome project for mother and daughter to do together. I bet you are both so proud.

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  27. Nami | Just One CookbookSeptember 3, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Wow wow wow!!!!!! Congrats Alessandra!!! This is AMAZING and the book is gorgeous (your daughter is in the photo? She's beautiful!). Waaahhhhh I'm so happy for you! This is very exciting for you and her. I'm envious you have something to share with mother-daughter. I didn't know she was involved and in such a young age. It's fabulous. I wish you two the best of luck. Again, congratulations!!

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  28. AlessandraSeptember 3, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    @ Selena, I'll see what I can do :-).

    Nami, Thank you! my daughter is in these photos but you cannot see her face... the others are friends who modeled with her. Which make me think... maybe I will need to post a photo of us two, just to make it more friendly and real :-).

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  29. RitaSeptember 3, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Tantissimi complimenti, Alessandra, sono felicissima per te e non vedo l'ora di partecipare al tuo giveaway! Aspetto qualche giorno e poi vedo se il tuo libro si riesce a trovare anche qui in Italia. In ogni caso lo promuoverò nel mio blog perché è un'idea nuova e originale e sono sicura che avrà un grande successo. Brava, brava, brava! Un bacione!

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  30. Aldy September 3, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Congratulations Alessandra! Bravo!!! The book looks gorgeous...such a lovely pictures.All the best to you and your daughter. Great job :)

    BTW, Love the idea of the give away!

    Hugs,

    Aldy.

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  31. CaraSeptember 4, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Not sure if my last comment (computer being weird) went through so I will leave another one just in case :)
    WOW!!!! It sounds like your selling skills are right on point. You have a new fan here :) I like parties. I am a girl. AND I like to eat! Sold. I cannot wait to pick up a copy, Alessandra. Congrats to you! xoxo, Cara

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  32. kitchen flavoursSeptember 4, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Congratulations! It is so cool to write a cookbook with your daughter! Congratulations again to both of you! Cheers!

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  33. AlessandraSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    @ Rita and Aldy, other two points for the give away :-).

    @ Cara, thank you and welcome, I didn't see the other comment, but this is a great one.

    @ Kitchen Flavours, yes it is cool, cool to be a parent too :-).

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  34. AmbraSeptember 4, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Ciao Ale, che bello ritrovarti!!! Mi fa davvero piacere averti trovato tra i commenti!! Sono contenta se partecipi al mio contest ma forse non sono troppo chiare le istruzioni, questo mese bisogna realizzare una ricetta con fichi e uva, ingredienti che ho fotografato e messo nel mio header...ok, è un po' complicato da capire e forse io faccio un po' di casino!!! Spero comunque tu possa reperire questi ingredienti...sarebbe davvero bello averti tra i partecipanti!Un bacio bella!A.

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  35. AlessandraSeptember 4, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Caspiterina Ambra, sono veramente fuori stagione....

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  36. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Good Luck Alessandra and I look forward to the launch and seeing the book. I give away is always fun!

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  37. Emanuela Pane Burro e AliciSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    In bocca al lupo per il libro e se mi capita a tiro ti faccio sicuramente sapere! Buona domenica!

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  38. AlessandraSeptember 4, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    @ Alli, see you at the book launch!

    @ Eamnuela, grazie!

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  39. pommes cannellesSeptember 6, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    My congratulations for your book

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  40. AlessandraSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Thank you Pommes cannelles :-), nice to hear from you again!

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  41. PennySeptember 6, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Yay! Congratulations on the book - it looks like a lot of fun. I am happy to post about it on my blog.

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  42. BarbaraSeptember 6, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Congratulations, Alessandra. This sounds like a wonderful mother-daughter pairing for a cookbook. I think a giveaway is a great idea. And if you send me a press release about the new book, I might be able to find a home for it on the food pages of the Poughkeepsie Journal. Best of luck!

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  43. AlessandraSeptember 6, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Thank you Barbara, I will send you a press release :-).

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