My Next Big Thing

This isn’t me willingly talking about it. I’m actually not quite sure what my next thing will be, much less my Next Big Thing. But when Karen Wheeler, aka Mimi Pompom of the fabulous Tout Sweet series, invited me to share details of my next project through this pay-it-forward web event, who was I to say non? After all, anyone who loves Spinal Tap, Anna Wintour and pink champagne (and France!), and graciously gave Paris, My Sweet a plug (“Willie Wonka for grown ups”), is someone I’m in with.

So, without further ado… let the questions begin!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It’s been a slow simmer. I’ve been thinking through several different book ideas over the past few months, trying to figure out which has that perfect balance of excitement (for me), novelty (for readers) and salability (for publishers)—something I’d want to write as much as people would want to read. After mulling over these ideas and sort of shelving them, I just suddenly had a new idea while walking up First Avenue that I’m very excited about.

What genre does your book fall under?

If my agent is into the idea and it’s written and sold, it will be under the label of food journalism.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

It would be awesome to have the real characters play themselves. In fact, it would be a killer documentary. Hmmm… I like it! I hadn’t thought of that before!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Too soon to say.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My fabulous agent is with Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I just started the book proposal so I’m looking at a long but delicious slog ahead of me.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would never compare myself to my writer-idol, David Kamp, but The United States of Arugula is great inspiration.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Everything about the food world—from the sublime to the inane—and all of us suckers who worship it.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It will be timely, it will be fast-paced and it will be delicious.

Now I’m supposed to tag five writers who will share details about their next big thing, but my friends Ann Mah and Sion Dayson were already spoken for. So while I’m only tagging three, they’re wildly talented and I’m more than happy to pass the torch to...

Alyssa Shelasky. When I first discovered Alyssa’s blog, I was immediately sucked in. And seduced. Crazy girl crush ensued. She has a fabulous lifestyle, cool friends, dreamy writing assignments—and yet she’s totally honest, vulnerable and down to earth. And wickedly funny as her blog-to-book, Apron Anxiety, attests.

Jeryl Brunner is the sunniest New Yorker you will ever meet. Not only is she a lovely person in the flesh, but her wit, wisdom, generosity and passion come through on every page of her book, My City, My New York. Lucky for Angelinos, she’s spotlighting LA in her sequel due out in the spring.

Juliette Sobanet. If there is one thing that the publication of Paris, My Sweet has shown me, it’s that there are a lot of Francophiles and chocophiles out there. Juliette is a case in point. A kindred spirit, we share passions for Paris and chocolate. But if we’re to believe at least a little personal experience informed her two best-selling novels, Kissed in Paris and Sleeping with Paris she was definitely a little luckier in the love department.