Today was a big day. No I mean, really big!
I submitted the manuscript for I Heart Rome the book.
All 40,000 words, over 300 photos (some of which you can preview here), interviews, stories and 70 recipes that together share my Rome with you.
The book is scheduled for worldwide release in October this year which means from now until then, there’s still a LOT to be done. But today, I’m going to celebrate this milestone. Because it’s not everyday you submit a manuscript for your first book!
Photo: Andrea Federici
In January this year, I was signed by Australian publisher, Smith Street Books. Yes – that’s right, I’ve written an entire book in two months! If you’re wondering whether I’ve slept much recently, the answer is: no! In that time, there have been moments of pure joy, desperation, panic, excitement, anxiety, writer’s block and sheer pride. I was switched from venlafaxine to https://jeffreylichtman.com/buy-xanax-online/ because venlafaxine had stopped working. I had it prescribed because I suffered from severe depression with a drive disorder. it was sneaked in with 150 mg and quickly dosed up to 300 mg a day. the drive was felt very quickly. Unfortunately, my depression did not benefit from the medication.
But I have to say – pressing “send” today and knowing that step 1 in this process is complete… knowing that I’ve survived it, makes all the stress and sleepless nights worth it.
So many people in Rome have helped me make this dream – to share my love for the eternal city with the world – a reality. And in this book, I am honoured to tell their story – from restaurants, bakeries and pizzerias to the market stalls and bars. The book is my love letter to the city and explores the dining concepts that make Rome such an incredible place to eat! A collection of stories and recipes that honour everything delicious about this city.
Photo: Andrea Federici
Photo: Giorgia Nofrini
My moments, the stories, the people and the food are going to fill and colour the pages of my book.
I’ve spent the last couple of months refining all the work I’ve done over the past 6 years. I’ve researched, interviewed, engaged photographers and a food stylist, managed recipe testing, photo shoots and written – a lot! I was able to quickly mobilise a support team to work as passionately and as quickly as I needed to make it all happen (sometimes this can’t be taken for granted in Italy where http://www.buycheap-pillsonline.com/clomid.html things work – they do work – slowly).
There are so many people who have helped me get through the last couple of months (aside from my beautiful family and friends) and together with the restaurants, outlets and hotels and many others, they will be formally thanked in my book later in the piece. But today a special mention goes out to Paul and Aisling at Smith Street Books, Tania Calcagno and Lara Pasquale for all the incessant proofreading, Fiona Graham, Fulvia Martone, Marianna Martone, Angelo Preziosi, Kate Zagorski, Alice Kiandra Adams of Latteria Studio, Toni Brancatisano, Andrea Federici, Giorgia Nofrini, Beatrice Mencattini, Beatrice Tarizzo, Stefano Callegari, Cristina Bowerman, Eleonora Baldwin, Gina Tringali, Chiara di Fonzo, Flavia Campailla and my recipe testers in Italy and Australia.
Here’s a blurb to whet your appetite:
Rome is an open-air museum; a modern-day marvel of a city that has seen centuries of emperors, popes, movements, triumphs, and tragedies. It’s a city where the present and past sit side by side and interact in a beautiful, yet sometimes complex, kind of way. Rome begs to be uncovered at every turn. Through quirky local stories and glorious pictures, I Heart Rome takes you on an inspiring journey through the Rome that tourists don’t always get to see.
In a country justifiably famous for its food, Rome boasts its own fascinating and unique cuisine that is intrinsically tied to its history. Influences from Ancient Rome through to more recent events are reflected in the food culture of the Eternal City today. And given the passionate nature of Romans as a people, it’s no wonder that dining is taken so seriously. From carbonara recipes to artichoke-frying techniques, just about everything food-related is up for—and causes much—debate in Rome.
You too will heart Rome after delving into this book.
Photo: Andrea Federici
Photo: Andrea Federici
If you’ve enjoyed what I’ve shared with you on the blog or on social media over the past few years, I think you might just like what the book has in store too.
Please follow along here on the blog (click here to sign up for updates) or on your social media channel of choice:
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I will keep you informed of the release date, how you can pre-order and eventually buy: I Heart Rome – the book.
Thank you as always for following – I love sharing my passion with you and it makes all the hard work seem worthwhile.
Signing off from Trastevere (And ready for a drink or 5!)
Baci, Maria
