If Anyone’s Looking for Me

JR and I tend to use that phrase – “if anyone’s looking for me, I’ll be….” followed by some undesirable task: “washing dishes for three hours,” “cleaning the bathroom sink drain of hair,” “swinging the banjo” (the latter is JR-slang for raking leaves). So I’m pleased to announce that for the first time in my memory, I’m employing the phrase for what is just the beginning of many things I cannot wait to do.

Today is the original publication date of the Poor Girl Gourmet cookbook. Alas, a random check at US Customs held the books up for a couple of weeks, and now, the official publication date is June 1. The slight delay has given me the opportunity to ease into book promotion – a talk at the University of Rhode Island here, a doling out of food (so kindly made by my local Whole Foods prepared foods team) there, thoroughly enjoyable interviews interspersed.

And now, it’s time for some pre-official release book signings (yes, there will be books – arrangements have been made).

So, if anyone’s looking for me this week and next, I’ll be….

At Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence, RI this Thursday, May 20 at 7pm. I’ll bring snacks, there will be books. Heck, I’ll probably even speak.

At A Novel Idea, 450 Hope Street, Bristol, RI, Saturday, May 29 at 1pm. Oh yes, there will be snacks, there will be books, and it’s in Bristol, so you can stop for a mid-afternoon drink near the water afterward. I might even see you there.

I’ll also be at Twice Told Tales, 2210 Broad Street, Cranston, RI on Sunday, May 30 at 1pm. The Gaspee Day Arts & Crafts Festival is underway in Pawtuxet Village (Cranston) over Memorial Day weekend, so with luck and sunshine, I’ll be sitting outside chatting with festival-goers.

On Wednesday of this week (May 19th) and next week (May 26th), I’ll be handing out food at Whole Foods Waterman Street in Providence from 4:30pm until 6:30pm. There won’t be any books there, but did I mention that I’m handing out free food? Oh, and Books on the Square is only around the corner, so you could always sashay over there to get a book once you’re done with your grocery shopping. The chefs in the prepared foods department, Matt and Mike, have been totally hooking me up, making food from the book, and I just show up, smile, and put it into sample-sized serving containers, then hand it to you.

There are more book signings to come, so please check out the Book Tour page on the site, and if you have a chance, Gail Ciampa from the Providence Journal wrote a really lovely article on the book. You can find it here.

6 Comments to If Anyone’s Looking for Me

  1. Angry Asian says:

    so excited for you!
    i wish i were closer or you were coming to baltimore!

  2. I’m in Oregon and came across your book at Amazon. It’s on it’s way, I can’t wait to give it a try, thanks so much!

  3. Hi there! I’m a fellow theta and I read about you in the Theta Magazine. Just thought I’d stop by and tell you congratulations on your book! So, so exciting!

    June 1 sounds like a nice date for a book release. :)

  4. Amy says:

    Hi Lan,
    Thank you so much for the book store recommendations – hopefully one will be game to host a signing! I’d love to be able to get together in Baltimore!

    Hi Christina,
    YAY! Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book!

    Hi Christine,
    It was so nice to see you and your mom on Thursday! Thanks for coming out to the signing!

    Hi Laura,
    Nice to meet you! I love that I’m still friends with my Theta sisters from college, and that Theta keeps introducing me to new friends even now! I look forward to reading more from you (and good luck with the renovations!).

  5. Anonymous says:

    hey, if you’re ever in San Francisco, come to Omnivore books on Cesar Chavez St. It’s an amazing store dedicated to cookbooks, and they have events all the time!