put me to work, you would think that by now i’m allowed, i’ll do you proud

Okay.

Okay.

Look, at some point when I’m more emotionally stable I’ll write something deep and meaningful that convinces you that I’m up to the task, of the task that I’m about to tell you that I’m up to, but in the meantime, know this. I’ve kept a secret from you since January 19. That day I got an email. Which resulted in hours and hours and hours of work. And some tears. And so much waiting. And then a phone call this afternoon.

The phone call which means that I, Laura Vincent, food blogger, am going to write a cookbook. A REAL COOKBOOK. For you! And you! And you and you and you you and you!

I’ve barely slept over the last few days and poor Tim (although, let’s face it, lucky Tim), it’s all I’ve talked about, and today was nothing but a strange blur (although dazedly asking if anyone wants to volunteer “as tribute” instead “for chair” during an important meeting that I myself was chairing kinda sticks out). I can’t say just yet who’s publishing it but you know them! You’ve totally heard of them and of course I’m going to say good things about them because they’re being so cool but I promise you: couldn’t have asked for a more exciting name behind my name. And of course they’re awesome, right? They’re publishing my cookbook! Who else had the foresight, the patience, the risk-take-ivity? This as-yet-unnamed publishing house, that’s whom!

This is me after I found out, panic-stripped, and found myself wearing my shiny gold party dress. (I’m now back in trackpants, so you know.) That is the smile of someone who has wanted this for so, so long, with the fiery burn of a thousand French fries. This is the smile of someone who has had intense, self-worth-damaging disappointments along the way. This is the smile of someone who has kept a secret since January and has finally been able to share it with her parents and with the best friends in the world, who I’m totally dragging to the top with me to share in the joys of whatever being a cookbook author is like.

This is the smile of someone who sat on a bed this afternoon while waiting for the phone call and listened to Defying Gravity and cried and then wondered if someone who would do such a thing was suitable for a book deal. After giving it some thought I decided someone who does that absolutely deserves a book deal! I then watched the finale of Parks and Recreation again and cried again because I felt like what happened to Leslie Knope was a sign that everything was going to work out for me. Then I watched Defying Gravity (the Tony Awards show version) and cried again. Then I listened to Die, Vampire Die from [title of show] and looked at photos of capybaras and at a gif of Vince Noir and Howard Moon pashing. Then I watched Over the Moon from RENT. Finally, I started watching Donna McKechnie performing Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line. It got to the bit where she’s sings the amazing line, “I’ll dooooo you prouuuuuud”. And then the phone rang.

And I got it. I GOT IT.

I promise, as well as this being one of the most important things to ever happen to me, I will make sure it’s something that makes your life more amazing too. I think a cookbook can do that. I think my cookbook can do that. There will never have been a cookbook like this before!

I mean, I hope so. Even as someone given to panic attacks and an I’m-sure-delightful personality mix of absolutely sure of myself mixed with nauseating insecurity (hey there, publishing house!) I do believe in myself. I know I can do this.

I’m going to write a cookbook! I LOVE EVERYTHING! HEY NIGELLA, YOU SHOULD SEE ME NOW!

87 thoughts on “put me to work, you would think that by now i’m allowed, i’ll do you proud”

  6. Robyn Gallagher says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    This is incredible news! Congratulations! You absolutely deserve this, and I can honestly say that not only would I buy your book, but I alread feel like there's already a gap in my recipe book shelf that your book needs to fill. (You also need a TV show, but one awesome thing at a time, okay.)

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  9. Sam McCosh says:
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    Unknown's avatar

    YAY!!! I am so happy for you – and also happy for me that I will get to have your awesomeness in book form! You better be signing copies for all of us to buy 🙂

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  10. +K says:
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    That is great news, congratulations! We need more Kiwi Cookbooks – ones that capture what is to be a Kiwi NOT able to wander the country at will and use all the really amazing fresh ingredients, yet still get some seriously tasty food on the plate.

    We hope your “un-named publisher” is the one we think it is, because we will SO be up for reviewing that! (Subtle hint to publisher: Please remember us when it's time to email out media copies!) -cheeky wink-

    Again, Laura… CONGRATS!

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  12. Anonymous says:
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    YAY! So cool. You are the first person I know, in real life, who is WRITING A COOKBOOK! So so so so exciting. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (!!!!!) (!) (!!!!!!!!!!)

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  13. Hannah says:
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    There are no words, there are no words, oh LAURA LAURA I'M SO BEYOND BEYOND BEYOND EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! I think I'm going to cry with happiness. Love love love love a world a universe of love to you!!!! xoxoxo

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  14. Anonymous says:
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    I first came across your blog when you did a guest feature in UO's humble Critic, and pretty much then and there went and read your whole blog from start to finish. I'm so so excited for you and to see the final product! So deserving of this!
    Best wishes x

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  16. Nicole says:
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    Yaaaaaaaaay Laura I always knew you deserved to be famous! Congrats and I and my converted friends in Dunedin are all going to buy your cookbook when it comes out!

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  19. Your Mother says:
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    *Dabs corner of eyes* This might be the first cook book I've bought since Lynn Bedford Hall's “Cooking for New Zealanders” in the early '90s – and that was just for the pictures … Congratulations. I'm so pleased for you. And all from a Cuba St kitchenette sans microwave.

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  24. Julie says:
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    Just off the phone from Tim and have now calmed down enough, from dancing round the room, to sit and read your blog post. Huge congratulations to you! Fabulous! Amazing! Incredible! Laura … go you!

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  27. Spanish Viv says:
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    Only the most excellent news in the world. You rock! So well deserved and we are all hanging out for the release – I know, a bit soon, but seriously, we are very proud. Sooooooooo cool!

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  29. Anonymous says:
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    A very proud Nana, I am so excited for you. I so remember you cooking for about 8 people when you were very young, you had it all planned, and you were given money to buy the ingredients. What a great meal it was. There were quite a few courses too. You have worked so hard, enjoy the ride. lots of love,

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  35. Emma says:
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    YAYYAYYAYYAYYAY!!

    Did you give them a proposal, or did they seek you out? Either answer indicates that major props are due to you. So well deserved!

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