Here’s what’s new. It’s summer and my girls are home, so things have slowed down on the book promotion front. I am steadily getting more work from magazines, which is nice because they actually pay pretty well. I’m waiting to hear about my book proposal for another cookbook. I am finding that so much about this writing books business is about hurrying up and waiting. Also, I think a large part of what keeps me going is not "just waiting" for the word from my agent. Keeping busy with my children and with other work has definitely helped. I’ll be writing about the journey of the new cookbook, along with the first Mrs. Rowe book as we move along. Also, I am collecting my thoughts about a new project about my own food heritage. One of the things I am trying to do—in between breaking up fights between my daughters and making sure they are not watching too much television— is read.
I’ve read a wonderful book recently. "The Language of Baklava" by Diana Abu-Jaber is beautifully written and gives an honest glimpse into growing up in two cultures. Besides all that, the recipes are interesting and yummy.
I am also reading Michael Pollan’s "Omnivore’s Dilemma." It was my selection for my book club. I am kind of regretting it—it’s not light summer reading. And, so far, it’s really, really, depressing. The thing that keeps me reading is that he is such a good writer and what he has to say is extremely important, albeit unpleasant.
