Chronicle Books Blog

Editors are a notoriously cranky bunch, in that lovable Oscar the Grouch kind of way, which makes sense when you think about it: we’re paid by our ability to discern between good projects and bad. It’s pretty much required that we don’t like most ideas that come through the door. But we are not without our prejudices…some ideas are doomed before we even open the mail. Wanna know why? An informal poll of my colleagues turns up profound dislike of the following:

– Packaging. I cannot stand excessive packaging. Never try to make your project “stand out” by putting it in a folder that ties shut with fabric bows, or a clamshell box, or a miniature metal suitcase. It only makes me grumpy when I read through the slush (editor-speak for unsolicited manuscripts). It makes the tidy pile on my desk fall over. It burdens the poor interns. And I’m sure it doesn’t help the planet.

– Food samples in cookbook proposals. They almost never travel well…crumbs everywhere. (Plus, taking candy from strangers seems like a bad idea, even though we realize it makes no sense to poison the person you’re trying to woo.)

– Large packages that must be returned to you in non-standard size boxes. It’s annoying to keep the box while we evaluate your work. It’s annoying to recycle the box and then have to find a new one.

– Multiple undeveloped proposals. It’s hard to have 10 good ideas at once. I don’t know who does. Pick one, hone it, and send that. If you’re on a roll, keep going…but don’t skip key steps like looking at the competition and seeing if you have enough material to fill a whole book.

– Gifts. Do you really think you can bribe me with a tiara, or soap? C’mon…if I’m for sale it’s going to cost you more than that. (Okay, since you asked…I’d like a Louis Vuitton iPhone cover and Prada thigh-high boots.)

In the spirit of the holidays, I’m trying to help those brilliant young writers who think they have to sit up all night baking quinoa madeleines and sewing a book cozy. If your idea is good enough to jump off the page, that’s all you need.

Lisa Campbell
Associate Editor

Crochet Contest Winners

I was so impressed with the entries I received when I asked for some crochet inspiration, thanks to all who emailed me. I’ve selected two winners, Andrea Tomlinson for her amazing Crocheted Burger and Manuela Tinocofor her beautiful Poppy Bracelet and sweet Flower Barrettes. Both ladies will win a copy of the Crochet to Go Deck by Alicia Bergin and a copy of Cozy Crochet by Melissa Leapman.

Thanks so much for all your awesome ideas and photos. Admittedly, I’m still just making scarves, but I’m honing my skills and will hopefully be able to whip up one of those amazing hamburgers some day ! !

Savory Bread Pudding with Bacon, Peppers, and Spinach

In this quintessential Christmas brunch dish, crisp, mahogany red bacon and red peppers contrast with bright green spinach leaves. The pudding makes breakfast or brunch a one-dish meal, though I like to serve it with a winter fruit platter. Remember to start the recipe two days in advance, as the bread cubes need to dry and the pudding must set before baking.

Serves 6 to 8

One 14-ounce loaf olive ciabatta, crusts removed and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 pound apple wood-smoked bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup jarred roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, and chopped
2 cups spinach leaves
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, plus 1/4 cup for topping
6 eggs
4 cups milk or half-and-half
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. One day before preparing the pudding, place the bread cubes on a baking sheet and let stand at room temperature overnight, or until the cubes are dried out.

2. The next day, in a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat, turning once, for 5 minutes, or until evenly brown and crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain.

3. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange the cubes in the dish. Scatter the bacon, peppers, and spinach leaves evenly over the cubes. Sprinkle with the 2 cups cheese. With a large spoon, evenly distributed the ingredients.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together or beat with an electric mixer on medium speed the eggs, milk, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste until well blended. Ladle the milk mixture over the bread, using your fingers, if necessary, to press the bread into the liquid. Sprinkle with the 1/4 cup cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.

5. The next morning, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator 1 hour before baking and preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until slightly puffed, set, and browned on the top. If the center is still underdone, push the bread down with a wooden spoon to help the bread absorb the liquid. Bake for a few more minutes. Let rest for a few minutes and then cut into squares. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Advance Preparation: Make up to 4 hours ahead, cover, and keep at room temperature. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes, if desired.

The Clever Cook Could:

· Substitute 1 cup smoked gouda for the Cheddar cheese.
· Substitute 1/2 pound cooked, thinly sliced sausage for the bacon.
· Substitute challah or French bread for the ciabatta.
· Add 3/4 cup sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions instead of the peppers.

Purchase Seriously Simple Holidays

Check back each Wednesday for more new recipes!

Peter Perez
Senior Marketing Manager

On this shortest day, as we ponder the perennial koan, Where did the year go?, it’s a good time to round-up a few items before the holiday.

First, we’re extremely proud of our books this year, across the board. Though our list can sometimes seem absurdly eclectic, from the artistic heights of master watercolorist William Matthews to the scatty depths of poo, we find strength in diversity. I’m happy with it all, but the Art + Design list enjoyed so much fantastic exposure this year, my mind reels. Linda Rutenberg’s The Garden at Night, Rex Ray’s monograph, Andrew Zuckerman’s Creature, and Kevin Kwan and Ramiro Fernandez’s I Was Cuba all enjoyed great events and media coverage. Thanks to the authors and the talented teams behind each book!

For those of you living in (or visiting!) San Francisco, there is still time to catch the Rex Ray exhibition at Gallery 16. Rex also has a mini-site now, perfect to track the numerous goings on of this busy artist. Plus, you have until the end of the year to sign up to win Rex Ray and Jonathan Adler items, including an original Rex Ray painting and packs of signed books and cards. Be sure to enter!

Finally, as a preview that cheers me to no end, one of my favorite artists—and someone who I’m happy to call a friend—Isabel Samaras is making a book with Chronicle for 2009. Another longtime friend, art and design writer Colin Berry (who also wrote the central essay for our SHAG monograph), will give voice to her delirious, racy, and hilarious vision. Isabel has been central to what has been called lowbrow or pop surrealism for a long time, and her monograph is overdue. Check out Isabel’s blog for a taste of her warmth, humor, and talent.

Talk to you in ‘08!

Handmade Pledge Spreads to Chronicle

Like the 10,452 (and growing!) people around the world who pledged to buy handmade this holiday season, Chroniclers lined up for lovingly hand crafted goodies this year. Luckily we didn’t have to go far. Our Annual Holiday Craft Sale is one of our most anticipated days of the year! For the past six Decembers we’ve held our very own sale here at our office as a way to showcase the goods of our coworkers. Isn’t it amazing when you discover someone you thought you knew so well has such a hidden crafty talent? Check out the wares the skilled makers within our walls offered this year:

Chronicle’s Annual Holiday Craft Sale

Gocco cards

Scrumptious granola

Special jewelry

Knits n paper goods

Vintage button rings

So many choices!

Zippered pouches and handmade soaps

Delectable treats

Such good gift options!

Now, if only I could part with the precious things I bought….

Sublime Stitchmas Contest Winners!

Check out the amazing top three winners for the Sublime Stitchmas Contest hosted by Sublime Stitching!

More Quick Handmade Gift Ideas

Just in case you’re still scrambling to pull together some last minute presents, here are some great ideas from Chronicle Author Shannon Okey who wrote The Pillow Book coming out this Spring:

I’m making bath salts and tasty care packages for my loved ones this holiday season. It’s simple: add a layer of epsom salt to the bottom of a pretty glass Mason jar, sprinkle with a few drops of lavender oil or another favorite scent, add more salt, more oil, etc until you reach the top. Cap with a round of fabric and tie with a gorgeous piece of yarn. As you might suspect, I’ve got more than enough fabric and yarn sitting around the house, but if you don’t, a little will go a very long way. I also bake biscotti for my aunt, who likes mine better than any she can buy in stores. The key is baking them until they’re crispy but not too too crispy — and don’t skimp on the pistachios and almonds!

Check out our last post.

Christina Loff
Craft Publicist

Kate Prouty
Craft Editor