With Manuscript

At the age of 24, I find myself like thousands (if not millions) of other Americans. I, Nathan Scott, am with manuscript. It is a rather delightful cookbook I should say, with plenty of pretty pictures and over 300 tried and true recipes for dishes like Springtime Pappardelle and Summer Berry Cobblers. And though I am resolute in my belief that my cookbook, Celebrate: Food for Life's Special Occasions, is a must-have for all home entertainers, I find myself in the most frustrating of situations. I'm carrying this manuscript (my baby) around with me wherever I go, hoping that someone will take a moment to leaf through its hefty 576-page thickness, only to be stonewalled at every corner. It's rather like carrying a keg of beer on your shoulder – it has the potential to be a lot of fun, but at the end of the day it's a pain in the neck. And I must admit, I am getting that sinking feeling that the more traditional 9-month gestation of a human baby would be much shorter and much less painful than the journey I am about to embark upon. It is a journey of trial and error, of rejection and smashed dreams, and copious amounts of alcohol and editing. It's a journey to publication.

Currently, I do not have a literary agent nor any connection to the publishing world. But what I do have is the thick skin of a trained chef and the enthusiasm of a high school glee club suffering from a candy-induced fit of ADHD. In short, I'm selling this book whether it takes 10 days or 10 years. (Preferably the former rather than the latter, of course.)

And so with the creation of this blog, I invite you to join me on this journey to publication. Most days (if not everyday) I will update you on my progress, the lessons I learn, and the mental and emotional breakdowns I have. This blog might not always be pretty, but it will sure be fun. So brace yourself, chew on a few ice chips, and don't forget to breath because we're publishing a book, and that's anything but easy.