Dear Friends and Followers,
Gourmet Girl Gail here writing from Santa Barbara. As some of you know, I make a living as a book Sherpa. That’s a self-proclaimed brand for me. I used to call myself a book shepherd until hundreds of others took that as their moniker. My company To Press & Beyond has been around for over two decades, and I’m always excited to meet new authors with a story to tell. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, right? Even with our Gourmet Girls Go Camping Cookbook, we had a story behind its creation!
One of the reasons the cookbook came to be and was independently published is because the three of us authors each had unique talents. My role as book Sherpa was critical, but Lindsey had the wonderful talent for design, and Denise, an amazing cook, became the executive chef on the project. We continue to sell the book and take every opportunity to let campers and non-campers know about it.
I mean, really, the LA Times Festival of Books is one of the biggest book fests in the country. And the exposure to 150,000 festival-goers is worth its weight in gold.
Even though I was manning our booth, I took time out to visit the cooking stage. Wow! Who was there? Matt and Ted Lee, James Beard Award winners and bestselling cookbook authors, demonstrating techniques that got them through their grueling years in the catering business, described in their newest book “Hotbox.” I was, like, totally wowed how they got their presentation together. Our goal? Get on that stage next year, Gourmet Girls!
The festival takes place on the beautiful USC campus. Our booth was close by to a wonderful restaurant called The Moreton Fig. No wonder with the amazing fig trees on the grounds. And they have quite a history!
That’s me with Sarah Dickey, founder of Cool Creative Press, a client and friend who lives a fierce life in Ohio but loves to travel and explore our inner worlds through her books and newly announced podcast. And she likes to party a bit too! As I do. We had an awesome time at Breva, a restaurant in the Figueroa Hotel.
Here are a few more pics from our time at the book fest. Sarah and children’s book author Regina McCarthy at the C-Span booth.
Regina and children’s book author Sky Danley.
Dr. Ann Schiebert, author of a series of books titled Let’s Make a Contract.
We had a marvelous time connecting with one another and sharing our stories. Most of the authors want to attend next year’s festival. I’m game for that!
In the meantime, we’re about to hit the summer season and we wish you the best of outdoor adventures!
Cheers,
Gail, Denise and Lindsey
#gourmetgirlsonfire