The Next Big Thing week 16: Interview with an Author

This is a special, unscheduled post about The Next Big Thing, an author’s Work In Progress project  from SheWrites. When I read A.K Andrews’s blog last week,  I immediately thought what fantastic questions for any author to ask themselves. So I was thrilled when A.K. invited me to participate. A big “Thank You” to A.K. Please take a moment to check out the insights about her upcoming book, “Under the Bed.”

Here are the insights into my own upcoming book:

What is the working title of your book?

“Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate”

I’m planning on using this image on the back cover of the book as it epitomizes chocolate travel.

Where did the idea for the book originate?

I’ve always been an avid traveller and a lover of fine food and wine. But there have been many books written about culinary travel and wine travel, and none on chocolate travel. I love writing profiles, and so being able to profile the chocolatiers and chocolate makers I visit helps the chocolate-loving reader connect with the chocolatier/chocolate maker best suited to their own likes and personalities. And helps them plan their upcoming travel to places that specialize in chocolate events and services.

What genre does your book fall under?

Memoirs. Chocolatour is a travel narrative that is filled with lots of opinion. I’m sharing my thoughts on various chocolate places and products. It’s not my intent to influence the reader into liking or not liking something. But rather, to let them know what’s out there, what to watch for, what are some good pairing options and recipes, etc.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

The question is not really appropriate for my book as it’s definitely an ongoing journey of chocolate discovery. I’d be open to hosting a television series stemming from the travel in the book and will be leading chocolate tours around the world. I’m happy to have a leading role in those! If, by the time I’ve finished the research for the third edition and am too old or too fat to continue, it will be fun holding auditions to see which actress could consume the most chocolate and still smile and hold her own without getting too high from the caffeine in the chocolate.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

“Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate” takes the chocolate-loving reader around the globe on chocolate filled journeys that are satisfying, informative, and enticing whether you choose to participate as an arm-chair traveller, or you decide to  take on some chocolate travel of your own.

Doreen (left) with friend, fellow writer and chocolate researcher, Virginia Heffernan on a cacao harvest in Peru

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I may be interested in partnering with an agent or publisher who can help bring Chocolatour to a global audience. But I have decided to self-publish the first edition as it is important to me to have full artistic control by choosing the right cover and which photographs will be included in the book, and determining the ultimate tone and flavour of the book.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

This is a work-in-progress, so I can’t really say for sure how long it will take to complete the chapters I intend to include in the first edition.

 What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

There have been many books written about chocolate, but none about chocolate travel. There have been many books and memoirs written with travel in mind. Everyone knows about Eat, Pray, Love. It really resonated with women at a certain stage in their lives, and I think, motivated many of us to travel more and seek richer experiences from it. The purpose of Chocolatour is to get chocolate lovers to realize that there is a whole world of chocolate out there waiting to be experienced and visited. It’s a fun book intended to make the chocolate lover feel good and experiment a bit more in her/his chocolate discoveries.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The chocolatiers and chocolate makers I have met have been my inspiration. The world of chocolate is filled with passionate people who want to share their passion through their chocolate creations.  What an amazing journey this has been and continues to be!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The world of chocolate discovery is a never-ending one as there are always new chocolate creations, new chocolatiers, new trends, new chocolate festivals and services. I have spent the past three years completely immersed in the world of chocolate and I have barely scratched the surface! I don’t plan to quit until I have made my way around the world of chocolate and sourced out the best and most unique offerings there are on the planet. That is why the book will be published in three editions and will be continually updated. I guarantee that if it’s worth knowing about, it will be mentioned (either briefly or in detail) in Chocolatour.

Here are the authors I’ve tagged for the She Writes “Next Big Thing” project. Check out their websites and you’ll be able see their interviews posted there next week. The interesting thing is that I met each of these ladies online over the past couple of years and each has carved out her author’s career in a unique and inspiring way.

Liz Palmer is writing a book about the best champagne houses of the world. Find her at: http://liz-palmer.com/

Yvonne Perry is a spiritual writer who has self-published several books. Find her here: http://whosestuffisthis.com

Irene Levine is a travel writer and specialist in the world of friendship. Find her at http://www.moretimetotravel.com/

I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know these talented ladies, and that you’ll enjoy reading their profiles next week on their own sites.