Monday, November 21, 2011

LTEV early bird shopping (and my response as a Canadian blogger)

Some of you have asked about when Let Them Eat Vegan will be available for preorder. You early bird shoppers can now preorder on amazon!  And, hey guys, check out the first - but not final - cover for the book!  This is the temporary cover, so you will see it online and elsewhere for some time.  While I think this first design is really sharp and attractive, it isn't what I had envisioned for the book, so my publisher is busy reworking cover design ideas. Stay tuned for the final cover!


I'd also like to address a comment from my Spencer's Market giveaway post.  I was asked: 
"Aren't you located in Canada? I find it a bit dismaying that you are promoting a US-only service - one of the reasons I have followed your blog is because you are Canadian!"
So I'd like to respond to this, respectfully.  And, not to raise heck for the person behind the comment, but to show my position.  The bulk of my posts are about my recipes, and I hope they inspire you to cook vegan and more healthfully.  But, I also look to share some fun through giveaways.  I am rarely approached by Canadian companies offering vegan, whole foods, or cooking products.  I have reached out to some Canadian producers, and have not heard back from them.  It is time consuming to search out companies that might want to partner in a giveaway or feature.  And, I have limited time with three young children and juggling my work with motherhood.  So, if someone approaches me for a feature that includes a giveaway, I am happy to oblige when it is suitable for my content and readership - as with Spencer's Market.  I have featured Canadian companies, like MapleleaMum's, and Zimt to name a few.  And, in my cookbooks I have even specified Canadian brands (like Manitoba Harvest hemp seeds in Vive le Vegan).  However, this is a vegan cooking blog, and as such is not exclusively Canadian.  I would love to partner with more Canadian companies, but have had little opportunity.  The reality is that the vegan market is larger in the US, and as such I receive more interest in my work and blog from American companies.  I never thought I would be criticized for offering a vegan giveaway.  I do my best to share recipes, cooking information, and the odd freebie... and think that effort is largely appreciated.  

Finally, I was hoping to get together a post for US Thanksgiving.  I'm sorry.  I don't think I will have time to do so. We are moving house in a couple of weeks, and I have been downright swamped.  So, for those of you looking for Thanksgiving ideas, please see my recent Canadian Thanksgiving post.  I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope you find some ideas in that post.  You can also search my past Thanksgiving, holiday, and Christmas posts.   

Back soon - hopefully! 

17 comments:

Babette said...

The cover looks quite neat.

I made your Balsamic-Garlic Flax Oil recently, from Vive le Vegan, and it is so good! I made it with hemp seed oil. Lovely.

Amy said...

Yay, I can't wait to check out your new book! Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan is one of my absolute favorites. :)

sahrah said...

The cover looks great.
I pre-ordered in Septemeber at the local Coles(division of Chapters.)

Inside My Mind said...

I am so excited about this book!!! I have already pre-ordered mine and anxiously wait for its debut! I really love the cover you have shown... makes me smile!

Donna

tweal said...

I can't wait for the new book Dreena! And have I mentioned that I love the name of it?

Isn't it amazing the things that you can be criticized for in the blog world? Just when you think you've done something great... there's someone waiting to point out a flaw. I have had a few of these incidents on my blog and also on etsy, and they can be a real downer. But the good usually outweighs the bad, and that makes it all worthwhile :)

Matt said...

Dreena,

I am so excited for the new book, and even though it's not the cover you originally envisaged - it looks great! Wooohoooo!

I made your chocolate cinnamon cake with some chocolate hazelnut [peanut] frosting last night - amazing! And so wholesome.. Thank you, as always.

Hannah said...

How thrilling to see the first cover design! It's great, but I do agree that it could be better. Hooray for advocating for your vision! :)

VeganLisa said...

I'm thrilled that I'll soon have another one of your books on my shelf. Thank you for the sneak peek. I'm getting excited.

Jessica said...

Dreena, when I saw the picture, my first thought was, "Oh, what a beautiful cover!"

Pamela said...

Yes, the cover looks fantastic, looking forward to get this book, surely the content will be as good as cover!

Roxanne said...

I like the cover, keep it!

Sisy said...

Very cool!! Also because there is some argument about MA's quote being "Let them eat cake!" or "Let them eat butter!"

Let them eat vegan!

Anonymous said...

I actually really like the cover. It is very attractive.

Angie

Lorne Marr said...

I love the cover for your new book. It is really gorgeous. Anyway big thanks for what you do for vegan community. Dont get upset with such stupid comments. L.

urban vegan said...

Oh yeah! Looks fantastic, Dreena. So happy for you and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. xo

Anonymous said...

Dreena,
You're always so well-spoken in explaining yourself to argumentative, antagonistic naysayers. I can't help but feel a little pained every time I come across one of your posts where you have to "justify" yourself. With a family, children, being vegan, running a blog, churning out delectable cookbooks, it's a wonder that you stay sane. Truly. The last thing you need is someone bringing unnecessary negativity to your life and what you do. So, for all of THOSE people, I apologize that you even have to endure that. You don't deserve it.

PS I have NEVER made one of your recipes that I didn't love, and I appreciate you for sharing them with the rest of us.

Dreena said...

Anonymous, *Thank You*. You just read my mind, or maybe my feelings. Sometimes I think it's a wonder I stay sane too! It keeps me going to know that there are people that really appreciate what I'm putting out there, and can understand when I may not do as much as I'd ideally like to do - but do my best - because this work is important, and also I love to create good food. Your comment gave me a big deep breath kind of sigh of "ahhh"... really, thank you. These kind of anonymous comments I can take all the time. ;)