39 Comments
User's avatar
Nik Sharma's avatar

This is a wonderful idea, Mark and I can't wait to read it.

Jocelyn McAuley (she/her)'s avatar

I just flipped over to being a paid subscriber Mark. What an honor to spy in on your creation. Cheers from Oregon.

Mark Diacono's avatar

Jocelyn, thank you so much! It's lovely to have you with me - I hope you enjoy it.

Sarah Mooney Personal Chef's avatar

Great idea - not a paid subscriber yet but you may just have tempted me! Sarah xx

Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you Sarah, I hope so! x

Helen Lloyd's avatar

Wow. Great idea.

Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you Helen! I'd be delighted to have your company as I write

Rose Whitehouse's avatar

Excited to be part of this - thanks for sharing Mark

Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you Rose, lovely to have you part of it

Skye Food Stories's avatar

Hi Mark, I am so so excited about this news!!! I am working on my first book about the food producers and chefs/cooks on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. I am a photographer and will be documenting the people who rear/grow/catch/make the produce as well as the chefs/cooks who use it in their amazing dishes, but am also going to be doing a lot of the writing.

It's quite a daunting project so having someone with your experience and talent, who is willing to provide insight into how their own book is created/brought together, is going to be incredible. I can't wait for this and I'm sure anyone else who is planning or dreaming about their own book, will find it hugely valuable. Thank you. xx

Mark Diacono's avatar

Hello Lynne

I replied to this but must've not pressed send as it doesn't seem to be visible. Fingers crossed for this time! I am so pleased you are part of this and helping to make it happen - thank you. And I'm very excited to hear about your project too - it sounds amazing, and as you may know the book I'm writing after this has some crossover too, so hopefully there will be some relevance in the process. I may even be heading to Skye for one of the harvests. Please do comment, ask questions, etc etc - whatever might help as we go on with things and thank you again xx

Jo Thompson's avatar

Mark this is brilliant news and I CANNOT WAIT ....

Mark Diacono's avatar

Luckily you won't have to for much longer!

Holly Farrell's avatar

Hi Mark,

You are extremely unlikely to remember - my books not quite reaching the vaulted heights of yours - but we met a few years back at a GMG awards through Jason Ingram. Anyway, I have something I'd like to put to you - do you think you could please find me on Instagram @hollyfarrellbooks and send me a DM? Or email me through my subscription details? Many thanks! All best wishes, and looking forward to the live book, Holly Farrell

Mark Diacono's avatar

Hi Holly, of course I remember! And will get in touch

Dave Nicholls's avatar

Hi Mark. A fabulous idea. But could I make a plea as an antipodean... our seasons are the opposite of yours, so when garden/food writers talk about spring in March it always feels like it's written for only one half of the globe. Would it be enough to talk only of spring and leave the month to us?

Mark Diacono's avatar

Hi Dave, that is a very good point. I will try to remember to do exactly that and you have permission to rap my knuckles with a ruler if I forget

Andrea Norrington's avatar

You had me at apple and quince cake ... looking forward to the journey.

Emily's avatar

I absolutely love this, and glad to have stumbled on your Substack. I love the process behind the finished work, and whilst I have zero plans to write a cookbook, Im hoping to gain some insight for my next poetry book!

Emily (formerly of A Small Good Thing veg shop 🙂)

Mark Diacono's avatar

Hello Emily formerly of ASGT! How excellent to hook up on here, and thank you thank you

JP Clark's avatar

Oh this is so interesting! Can’t wait!

Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you JP - I hope you enjoy it

Jane Carlton Smith's avatar

You've persuaded me, Mark. Costs the same as TRIP and will be a lovely contrast. I'll subscribe....

Mark Diacono's avatar

I am delighted, thank you Jane

Daub & Wild's avatar

Bravo, Mark. Looking forward to reading this new book as a marker to the start of autumn and all its delicious connotations therein. 🍽️🍲

Mark Diacono's avatar

Thank you Janey, it feels like the perfect time to be starting

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

Good luck with this new venture, Mark. I'm sure it will be exciting for you to write as well as for readers to read. Seat of the pants stuff!

Mark Diacono's avatar

I hope so! And thank you. It's very exciting

Lucy Burney’s Life in Colour's avatar

Bravo Mark! Look forward to reading it as it unfolds.