Help Me Publish My Children's Book

For years, many of you have been asking when I would write a book. A children’s picture book probably wasn’t what you had in mind, but when inspiration hits, you follow it.

 

If you know me, then you know food has been such an enormous part of who I am as a person. So when I had children, teaching them about our history and culture through the lens of food became the foundation of my fathering style. Things like introducing them to the golden glow of saffron rice and kabob made by my mother-in-law. Or making pasta from scratch to recreate the Tagliatelle Bolognese we ate on our honeymoon. Or trying to create a pie that will leave a taste memory in their minds as strong as the one from my mom’s apple pie.

 

As the kids got older, they started to join me in the kitchen to help make these dishes. And this is where our story begins. This book was inspired by our time spent in the kitchen together.

 

The Sweetest Slice is a story of a father (Thom) teaching his daughter (Ellie) how to bake her first pie. But more importantly, it’s a story of how preparing and eating food together is one of the oldest and most profound ways we know to bond with each other as humans.

 

This book has been a labor of love for nearly four years now. It was rejected or ignored by publishers and agents, set on the back burner by me, and stalled by my perfectionist nature to find an illustrator who could bring my vision come to life. But I never gave up on it. I’ve always believed it’s a great story…which feels arrogant to say, but I read kids' books every damn day, and it’s the truth.

 

I’ve invested years and a lot more money than I care to share, but it’s all been worth it. My illustrator, Michelle Smith, has done a beautiful job with it, and I am so proud of the final product.

 

The last stage left is printing the book. I’ve decided to self-publish with a printing company recommended by a fellow children’s book author. Yes, I know I could self-publish on Amazon, probably for less money…but I won’t do that...cause fuck Amazon what they do to small businesses.

 

In honor of small businesses and dreamers like myself, I plan to sell the book in independent book stores throughout the US. I have a couple already lined up in LA and the East Coast.

 

Thank you all for the support you've given me throughout the years! Your encouragement has been the fuel that kept me moving forward, and I’m eternally grateful for it.