There are many stages to writing a book. Proposals and contracts come way before any thoughts get put down on paper. And then there is the research. Writing of course takes the most time, and if you’re also the photographer (which I am) there is that too. And editing. There is LOTS (too much?) of that. But one of the most exciting stages is always, at least for me, when I first see the cover design.
Even though this is my 8th book, I still get giddy when I see my name paired with the title. It somehow makes it all very real. And while I have lots of control over the content of the book itself, when it comes to design – both of the cover and the inside pages – it is a collaborative effort where everyone has a say. From the editor to the marketing team to the designer, everyone wants to encapsulate the entire contents of what is basically a lifetime’s work onto one page. Not easy. Which is why I’m so very lucky to have such a talented group of people (with infinite patience) working with me at St. Martins
So it is with great pleasure that I share the cover of my new book: Eating My Way Through Italy: Heading Off the Main Roads to Discover the Hidden Treasures of the Italian Table. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, anywhere, then you won’t be so surprised by the main element: an artichoke!
Remember when I said there were many stages? Well, while I do have the cover, and the book is actually for pre-sale now here, you won’t be able to read it until it is published on May 22. I know, I know, that’s SIX months away. But there is all sorts of printing/publishing stuff that needs to get done between now and then.
As we get closer to the date I’ll be sharing much more information about the book: producers I met, recipes I learned. I’ve also shot lots of video along the way which I’ll be turning into little films.
But for now, even though it’s WAY early, I was too excited not to share this cover with you. I hope you like it!!
PS: I also had new author photos taken by the talented Susan Wright. Here are is one that seems on brand!
Oh wow. I can hardly wait. I have all of your other books and so does my daughter, Liz, who is still sorry to have missed you in Rome. Next year for sure. Irene
Happy Thanksgiving from Bronxville to Rome! I really like the cover, I will make my way to “here and here” for pre-sale and I love your new head shot cum artichokes! Love to you and yours, Kathy xox
Thank you Kathy! Happy Thanksgiving!
Ciao Elizabeth.
The cover is so perfectly you.
I have just pre ordered 2 books.
All warm congratulations
Helen
Thank you!!!
Congratulations, Elizabeth, I love the cover! Great design, will make people want to pick up the book and read it. I love the texture in the background. The typeface used for the title really reflects what I’m sure this book will be—interesting, fun, and very enjoyable. I also like the typeface for the subtitle, which I believe, is the same you use for the text of the blog—is it DIN Neuzeit Grotesk? Among other things, I’m a book designer and covers like this really excite me.
Anyway, Vicki and I are excited about this book, particularly since we live in Italy, love food, and enjoy traveling off the main roads. I love your writing and I know this book will become a favorite of our. Can’t wait to see it and I’ll clue the Paperback Exchange here in Florence to get it on order.
Thank you!!!! I’m not sure exactly what the name of the second typeface is, but I love it too!
So looking forward to using the book in Fall of 2018! Congratulations, Elizabeth, and thank you for continuing to enrich our lives with your knowledge and insights into Italy and it’s people, culture and food.Hoping you and family have a wonderful holiday season in Rome and wherever the season take you.
And, thank you for sharing those wonderful pasta dishes in the Monti neighborhood restaurant by the Coliseum in Fall 2015 with me and my husband on your tour of the neighborhood. I’m thinking it was the same place that recently lost their beloved patriarch. We think of that family, also, with great fondness and good memories. Best Regards, The Witalis Family
Thanks Deborah. Yes, indeed, that was Taverna dei Fori Imperiali where we went.
Happy holidays to you too!
Elizabeth,
I always look forward to your blogs newsletters. I know that I will learn something new, be tempted by your travels and energized to try new recipes. In other words, I’m a big fan, which has given me the courage to ask that you rethink the cover of this newest book.
For me an artichoke, even a perfect one, does not speak to HEADING OFF THE MAIN ROADS TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE ITALIAN TABLE. I imagine something very different.
A small town open market with mountains in the background. You driving a convertible on the road to a hill top village or from a hill top village with bags of groceries in the car. Something that speaks to HEADING OFF THE MAIN ROADS.
An artichoke is no longer a special, exotic food nor a HIDDEN TREASURE nor the prime representation of Italian food. You look great in the new photograph, but again it fails to represent your journey off the main roads.
I hope that you see my feedback as constructive, I surely mean it to be.
Thanks for the many years of good food, travels and education you have offered me.
Warm regards,
Susan Miller
Thanks for your feedback Susan. I guess to each his own. The artichoke is very special to me, and – I believe – does represent the beauty of the Italian table. And while an open market with mountains in the background may represent your version of Italy, it doesn’t sum up the entire book at all. In fact, no one image could. Which is how we settled on this cover.
I spent months deciding on a cover and a subtitle for my book so I can really relate to all this. The fact that my subtitle became such a challenging process was a total surprise to me, after the title itself had come pretty easily.
After that experience, I find it interesting to see Susan’s feedback and your reply. What I would say, had I been sitting at a discussion table about the cover and the subtitle and whether they tie together, is that the word “road” creates some issues. A subtitle of: “Discovering the Hidden Treasures of the Italian Table” is what I would have suggested. It is the word “road” that I believe caused Susan’s mind to start envisioning a car and a hill town and sense of a foodie road trip.
Thanks for all your input.
This is EXQUISITE! Looking very forward to savoring every page!
Grazie!!
Lovely photo and book cover. Looking forward to the book and our next trip to Italy, whenever that may be. We have fond memories of our weeks in Monti; your wit, wisdom, and spot-on recommendations helped make our trip memorable. Brava!
Glad you like it!!
Love this! but haven’t you been working on a dinner party book?
I have indeed been working on another book too, The Italian Dinner Party Handbook. That book will come out in 2019. I’ve been busy!!
Elizabeth,
LOVE ~ LOVE ~ LOVE the cover of your new book & yes, the artichoke is totally you!
How exciting for you & I suspect it’s a little like having a child born each time. It’s that exciting. Totally looking forward to all the treasures you impart in this one.
Ciao! Toni.
Having been a fan and follower of yours for years, so looking forward to this book – and the next and the next…!
This is great! I am looking forward to it! Congrats!
When I read the title of your mail, I took a guess as to the cover picture before opening. I was right! Looking forward to reading it in May
Congratulations! I love the cover. I look forward to your book when it arrives.
Thanks to pictures of Rome that you recently posted on Facebook, we’ll be there in a couple of weeks! Woo hoo. My daughter has a day off from school on a Friday, and you made the city so enticing with your gorgeous photos that we bought our train tickets right after! I must admit that the Roman artichoke shots did factor in to the decision… Seeing your posts over the years, I feel that the artichoke is fitting!
Auguri!!
I think the cover is perfect and being a reader of your blog know your affinity for the artichoke. The photo of you is wonderful! Have a wonderful NY Thanksgiving. I’m from Tarrytown but live in San Diego now and miss spending the holiday in Westchester.
What a beautiful cover! Seriously perfect. I love the new photos of you as well. As always, perfectly done. So much style in execution. Brava!