The time has finally come to reveal the big news that I’ve been dropping hints about here and there for awhile! I’ve been keeping this secret for months, but I can finally reveal that I’ve been working on The Vegan 8 Cookbook!! Yay! *Cheesy Happy Dance* So many of you all have been asking me for so long and I’m so happy I can now share the details, haha. I will now have this post to refer to anybody who asks. 🙂
Sorry for the cheesy phone picture. I had just printed out my contract and was too excited to share that I’m holding that baby in my hands.
This post doesn’t have a recipe and for that, I’m sorry, but I figured since I promised to tell so many of you all that when I was working on a cookbook, I’d reveal it, I thought this would be the best way since social media is a bit unreliable sometimes and may not see my social media posts about it.
I am beyond excited to reveal that I have signed with Oxmoor House. Signing with them is a dream come true. Oxmoor is the publisher for all of Southern Living Books, Cooking Light, Sports Illustrated, Time Books, etc. I kid you not, I have Southern Living Cookbooks and Cooking Light magazines in my home and have admired their beauty for years, so to have my first book published by them is very humbling.
I have to admit, this decision didn’t come easily to me. I’m super duper selective and I put it off for quite awhile. I’ve had a few different publishers contact me over the past few years and about a year or so ago I decided I better hire an agent to guide me into unsure waters. I knew that I was naive about the business and when another wonderful blogger recommend getting an agent to me, and she herself has published several books, I listened. Oh boy, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My agent is one of the most hardworking and dedicated people I’ve met and without her, I wouldn’t have the wonderful book deal that I now have today. She has been such a blessing. So, if you are interested in doing a book someday, I can’t recommend enough to get an agent! I also read an article from David Lebovitz on the importance of one too, which just further convinced me. I share this because it helped me immensely and hopefully it can help others, regardless of what type of book.
So, what type of book will it be?? I’m glad you asked! It will be a full-on 100 recipe book featuring a traditional layout. Breakfast, Lunch, Entrees, Sides and Dips, Sauces and Dressings, Soups and Stews and of course, DESSERT. Lastly, a chapter on My Vegan 8 Staple Recipes. This is the only way I wanted to do my first book.
The book will feature almost all NEW recipes while including around 10 of my most popular from the blog and some staple recipes like spice blends and nut butters. I have received many messages about this and feel that my super popular ones, like the Alfredo, need to be in the book.
And of course, the whole book will feature all recipes 8 Ingredients or Less, not including salt/pepper or water or optional garnishes. In other words, just like my blog, lol! So, yes, an entire book where every recipe is no more than 8 main ingredients!! Does that make veganism easy or what?? I’ve already written several recipes but still have a way to go, haha.
Know what else?? EVERY recipe will have a photo, woohoo! So important when wanting to make a recipe to actually see it first, am I right?
Now, let’s make something clear here. Let’s talk dessert! You all know, well most of you who’ve read my blog awhile, know my greatest passion is desserts. The dessert chapter will be AMAZING. It will not be just 8 little recipes. Nope. I’m talking 15-20 desserts. Cakes, brownies, several cookie recipes, ice cream, muffins…the works. Basically, the same thing I do here on my blog. I realize that many people may not love that, but this is what I do and so many of you love that about this blog, so I’m following in the path of my blog for this book. I’ve also seen many readers leave comments on book reviews wishing dessert chapters were bigger or more substantial, so I think it’s important for people to have some great vegan desserts to break out for guests and parties. Simple, easy, comfort food with desserts that always please a crowd, NOT just vegans.
I will be sharing pics of recipes I’m writing on social media to get you all dribbling with drool, so I’m warning ya now. 😉 I also will have a new hashtag on Instagram, #thevegan8cookbook. So be sure to check that out for sneak peaks!
Please let me know below in the comments any questions or comments you have about the book. I’m so excited that I’m sure I have forgotten to mention so many details! The book is set to come out next Fall, so you will all have to be patient. It takes awhile to write a cookbook and produce it, so please be patient with me. Thank you to everybody who has supported me from the beginning and so long and to all of you who make my recipes each day, THANK YOU. This book is for you guys!
P.S. I will be calling on some taste testers as well, so stay tuned for info on that!
So, to recap, all the recipes will be:
- 100 NEW RECIPES, with the exception of around 10 of my most popular recipes and some staples I always use from this blog.
- ALL 8 INGREDIENTS OR LESS, not including salt/pepper/water or optional garnishes. Just like I already do here on this blog.
- VEGAN
- GLUTEN-FREE, except for maybe less than 5 and even with those, I’m hoping to have gluten-free options. And the ones that are gluten-free, I plan to list a sub version on how to make with regular flour since some like to use regular flour. Trying to make it as universal for everybody as possible.
- OIL-FREE, which means, oil is NOT a listed ingredient. This does not refer to the natural oils that are in nuts or seeds, so please understand that is a difference. I only use whole food fats like nuts, seeds or avocados in my recipes. The ONLY exception to that in just a few recipes for baking where I may use nonstick spray for the pan and for pancakes, nonstick spray for the pan. But that’s it!
- COMFORT FOODS, yet healthy. This will not be a book of salads and smoothies. Sorry, that is not my thing. This will be recipes just like I do here on the blog. Pastas, Comforting and satisfying soups and stews, Filling Entrees, Breakfasts that wow your kids and impress your guests. In other words, don’t expect to see green smoothies and fruit smoothie bowls in the breakfast chapter. Nope, there will be Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins, Fluffy to the moon pancakes. Your guests won’t want to leave, lol. And the dessert chapter, forget-about-it. Just reference to my blog desserts for any hint of how this chapter will be, hahaha! Although, I probably can’t technically call the desserts healthy, since they are desserts, but they ARE oil-free and made without any butters or processed oils.
UPDATE: So many of you have asked about pre-ordering, wow, thank you so much! But, we are VERY early and in the beginning stages. I won’t know any of that until next year I’m sure. I’m in the early stages of writing the book, so it will be awhile. Please be patient with me!!
I’m so excited for you! I’m so excited for US!! Can’t wait to purchase your book for my collection.
Wonderful news! I am thrilled on your behalf! So will it be out in time for Christmas gift giving? 🙂
Not this year, but next year it should be!! We’ve just signed so it’s the very beginning. I still have the book to write, haha. Thank you Peggy!
Congrats on the book deal. Looking forward to all the recipes.
Ahhh–I can’t wait! I was just thinking that I wish you had a cookbook! Congrats!! 😀
Aw exciting news Brandi! Congratulations! If you need recipe testers I volunteer! I did get to do that two of Cooks Vegan Cookbook!
Dr.Lisa Bennett
Yay! Good for you! I became 90% vegan about a year ago and just found your blog recently. Love your recipes because of the simplicity and great taste so I can’t wait for your cookbook. (my husband loves your brownie recipe) I also would love to write a book someday so thanks for the agent tip. Would love to hear more about your process as you move along. Congratulations on reaching a dream!
Yay!!!! I am SO happy for you! I can not wait to order the book and have thought for years how badly that I wish you had one! Super congrats to you, you definitely deserve this! 😊
That’s so very sweet Heather, thank you so much for saying that!!
Congratulations Brandi! I love your recipes, mainly because they only have 8 ingredients and still taste amazing.
Thank you so much Bonita, that is always my goal!
Wow, Brandi! A million congrats! Oxmoor—that’s the big leagues, but they know quality when they see it. I was so excited I even checked on Amazon to see if a pre-order is available, but I see I was premature (you just signed the contract!). I know it will be fabulous! Your recipes have definitely increased the quality of my life. I discovered you just when I needed a blog like yours–there are many fun vegan blogs out there, but not many take healthfulness into consideration and use oil/flour/refined sugar with abandon.
And you look lovely in the photo. If that’s just an impromptu cell phone photo, then a professional one for your book should be fantastic.
Thank you SO much Ellen! I really am just so, so grateful to be with Oxmoor. I have a few of their dessert cookbooks and they are just amazing and now to know I will have my own desserts in one of their books is so darn surreal! I thank God for this opportunity and my amazing agent for making it happen!
I’m so very happy to hear how much my recipes have helped you, that really is the whole reason I love to blog, to see my recipes make a difference in people’s lives. Ha, yes, silly phone pic…my hair is obviously a mess, but I was too excited to post about it right away, haha. Thank you again Ellen for your lovely comment!
Congratulations! I look forward to it very much!
Wonderful Judy, thank you very much!
CONGRATULATIONS BRANDI!!!!!! Standing in line waiting to buy! Making your 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies tonight to celebrate!
Yay, yay! Thank you so much Diana!
Ha! I remember asking you ages ago when you might make a book! Sooooo happy and excited for you!!!!!! I know I’ll be using your book cover to cover 👏🏻.
Haha, yes, I’ve dropped hints on IG about it because publishers had been contacting me and I have been writing some recipes for quite some time saving them up for a book! Thank you so much Julie!
Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you……and me! Can’t wait to buy your book! Love your recipes!
That means a lot to me, thank you Debbie!
Good for you! Sounds awesome. I’d love to be a tester.
Thank you so much Bonnie, I’ll make an announcement when I’m ready for testers!
Congrats on another huge milestone Brandi!! So happy for you and your success, very well deserved!! Glad it happened on your timeline and can’t wait to see it!!! You da bomb, girl!!!
You are the best Dianne!! Yes, yes, thank you so much!
Sign me up! You do a great job of making whole-food plant-based easy.
Congratulations on the awesome news! I use so many of your recipes and am really looking forward to buying your book! I hope it has lots of photos!
Yes! Every recipe will have a photo! With the exception of the last chapter, which will just be featuring staples, those may or may not all have photos, but it will be a very substantial book!
Congratulations!! I knew it would be just a matter of time!!! Can’t wait!
Aww, thank you so much Jaunessia!
Congrats Brandi! Well deserved and so happy for you!
So very sweet of you Meera, thank you!
So excited for you Brandi! It will be an amazing cookbook which I will gladly purchase and have in my kitchen. Congratulations!
Thank you sweet Carol, I really appreciate your support!!
Congratulations on your big news! What a wonderful step forward for you and your family.
Thank you very much Chandra!
How exciting! Congratulations! Will you be needing recipe testers? I so love testing for cookbooks. Please keep me posted. 🙂
YES! Will definitely be needing testers. I’ll make an announcement about that soon, as well. Thank you so much!
Yay! I’ll be first in line to volunteer. Can’t wait to see the recipes you come up with!
OMG, congrats Brandi! It seemed like every TOM, Dick and Harry was publishing a cookbook but YOURS was the one I was waiting for! Your recipes ALWAYS come out FABULOUS and DELICIOUS!
Haha, that totally made me laugh! And that is very sweet MaryAan! Yes, I know, I’ve taken my sweet time on this. I wanted it to be right and to sign with the right publisher, so I didn’t rush it or make the decision easily! I’m very confident and excited now!
Oh, my good golly!! I’m soooo happy for you, Brandi!!! I can’t wait for the book and all the updates along the way. As a brand new blogger (there’s so little on the site that I can hardly call it a blog), I know how time-consuming and hard it is. This is an amazing step for you and I’m over the moon happy for you! The Vegan 8 was one of the first sites I found when I decided on a WFPB lifestyle last year, and TV8 has been an incredible resource.
So, as a vegan and a blogger, I am happy for you and this new chapter in your life and your continued success! You’re an inspiration!
Warmly,
Wren
Aww, thank you so much Wren for such a lovely comment and your excitement! I’m so very happy to hear how much my website has been a wonderful help to you, that really is so lovely to hear! Thank you so much again for your kind words!
Congratulations! That is exciting news!
Congratulations Brandi, I will be dribbling with drool until it comes out!!!
Hahaha, awesome Elaine, thank you!
Yay, thank you Genie!
I want to order it! Wish it was available today!