Ben George at Little, Brown has acquired two books by O. Henry Award– and Pushcart Prize–winning author Rick Bass. The books include an untitled collection of new and selected stories and Eating My Heroes, a work of nonfiction about Bass’s journey to commune with and make meals for the many American masters who have influenced and mentored him, including Annie Dillard, Amy Hempel, Peter Matthiessen, and Joyce Carol Oates. They are slated for publication in early 2016 and early 2017, respectively. Attorney David Evans negotiated the deal for world rights.
Jenny Wapner at Ten Speed Press has acquired two books from Andy Ricker, author of Pok Pok and chef/owner of restaurants of the same name in Brooklyn and Portland, Ore. J.J. Goode will return as coauthor as will Austin Bush as photographer. The first book, Thai Drinking Food, due in fall 2016, will be loosely tied to Ricker’s restaurant Whiskey Soda Lounge and cover the rich and varied drinking food of Thailand (and the drinks they’re consumed with). The second title, Sen Yai Noodles, is an exploration of the important role of noodles in Thai cooking including noodle soups, noodle stir-fries, and khanom joon, due in fall 2017. Kim Witherspoon at Inkwell Management did the deal for world rights.
Judy Pray at Artisan has acquired world rights to an as-yet-untitled cookbook from Tal Ronnen, author of The Conscious Cook. Ronnen is chef/owner of Crossroads in Los Angeles, consulting chef of LYFE Kitchen in Palo Alto, Calif., and a collaborating chef at The Wynn and Encore hotels in Las Vegas. The new book, written with Crossroads executive chef Scot Jones and pastry chef Serafina Magnussen, will include 100 recipes for vegan Mediterranean small plates, entrees, sides, and desserts. It is scheduled for publication in fall 2015; the book was unagented.
Ann Bramson at Artisan has acquired world rights to the first cookbook from Joshua McFadden, chef/partner of Ava Gene’s in Portland, Ore. Tentatively titled Vegetable Season and written with Martha Holmberg, the book will include 200 fresh, modern, and approachable recipes supported by actionable tips and insider knowledge. The book, which was unagented, is scheduled for publication in spring 2016.
Jennifer Williams at Sterling has acquired Amelia Saltsman’s second book, The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen: A Fresh Take on Tradition, which follows the author’s self-published The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook. The cookbook, to be published in fall 2015, will combine Saltsman’s deep knowledge of farmer’s markets with her Jewish roots to offer fresh and contemporary twists on traditional favorites. Lisa Ekus of the Lisa Ekus Group did the deal for world rights.
Holly Dolce at Abrams has bought I Love Nashville: Hot Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, and 125 Other Southern Recipes from Music City by Jennifer Justus. Scheduled for publication in fall 2015, the book pays homage to the tastes and stories of the city that the New York Times declared “the new foodie hotspot.” Sally Ekus of the Lisa Ekus Group did the deal for world rights.
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