Kitty Morse is visiting Anchorage Sept. 24 – 28, 2016 through an author exchange program sponsored by Adventures by the Book. In partnership with the Alaska Writers Guild, 49 Writers is featuring these visiting authors in workshops at the AWG conference on Saturday, Sept. 24 and also at a members-only salon event on Sunday, Sept. 25. Kitty will also conduct a special program called “Sprinkle Flowers on Your Plate” as part of the Alaska Botanical Garden Lecture Series, conducted in partnership with 49 Writers (buy tickets here).
My life as a writer developed by accident. Never in my
wildest imagination did I think upon emigrating from Morocco to the US, and
obtaining my master’s degree in French, that I would end up three decades later
the author of ten cookbooks and a memoir. And now, I’ll visit Anchorage on a
book tour!
In the beginning, I freelanced, opting to write about my
passions – food and travel. My first byline plastered on the front page of the
food section of the San Diego Union-Tribune sealed my fate. I was hooked. I
submitted query upon query to every publication I could think of. Most queries
were rejected, and I learned rule #1: Never take rejections personally. The
next published article would send my spirits (and my ambition) soaring.
passions – food and travel. My first byline plastered on the front page of the
food section of the San Diego Union-Tribune sealed my fate. I was hooked. I
submitted query upon query to every publication I could think of. Most queries
were rejected, and I learned rule #1: Never take rejections personally. The
next published article would send my spirits (and my ambition) soaring.
A strange thing happened over time. I fell in love with the
process of writing. Magazine and newspaper assignments gave me the liberty to
satisfy my curiosity about any subject that struck my fancy. I can still
remember how excited I was one particular month to have a byline in 6 different
national publications simultaneously. I learned rule #2: It takes perseverance,
perseverance, and more perseverance, as well as timing and luck.
process of writing. Magazine and newspaper assignments gave me the liberty to
satisfy my curiosity about any subject that struck my fancy. I can still
remember how excited I was one particular month to have a byline in 6 different
national publications simultaneously. I learned rule #2: It takes perseverance,
perseverance, and more perseverance, as well as timing and luck.
To this day, I advise beginning writers: “Practice the vow
of chastity. NEVER sleep under the same roof as a rejected manuscript.” As a
freelancer, a rejected article repackaged in a new envelope and shipped to a
new address left my house the next day. Rule #3: DARE to query! You have
nothing to lose.
of chastity. NEVER sleep under the same roof as a rejected manuscript.” As a
freelancer, a rejected article repackaged in a new envelope and shipped to a
new address left my house the next day. Rule #3: DARE to query! You have
nothing to lose.
My love of food led me to write cookbooks, and I have
written 10 to date. Since I was born in Morocco, I focused on what I knew:
Moroccan cuisine. The first book, Come
with me to the Kasbah: A Cook’s Tour of Morocco, was hatched at the request
of cooking students. I met the challenge, though it took over a dozen years to
get it into print.
written 10 to date. Since I was born in Morocco, I focused on what I knew:
Moroccan cuisine. The first book, Come
with me to the Kasbah: A Cook’s Tour of Morocco, was hatched at the request
of cooking students. I met the challenge, though it took over a dozen years to
get it into print.
Closer to home, I frequented my weekly farmer’s market. The California Farm Cookbook eventually
took me around the state to interview hundreds of farmers and request their
favorite recipes. What a deal! And what a trip!
took me around the state to interview hundreds of farmers and request their
favorite recipes. What a deal! And what a trip!
Tired of writing recipes, I set myself a new challenge in
2002 to write a memoir of Dar Zitoun, the historic Moroccan mansion my father
willed me in the medieval town of Azemmour, 90 kilometers south of my native
Casablanca. But how to make the switch from cookbook writer to memoirist? I
took courses in poetry and creative writing at my local university. Once again,
I fell in love with the process.
2002 to write a memoir of Dar Zitoun, the historic Moroccan mansion my father
willed me in the medieval town of Azemmour, 90 kilometers south of my native
Casablanca. But how to make the switch from cookbook writer to memoirist? I
took courses in poetry and creative writing at my local university. Once again,
I fell in love with the process.
I think of Mint Tea
and Minarets: a banquet of Moroccan memories, as a cookbook with very long
headnotes. To get it into print, I sought the help of professional editors and
a book designer. Then, off it went to China to be printed. Mint Tea and Minarets turned me into an author/publisher. My new
“job” is marketing, and to that end, I publish a monthly enewsletter called The Kasbah Chronicles.
and Minarets: a banquet of Moroccan memories, as a cookbook with very long
headnotes. To get it into print, I sought the help of professional editors and
a book designer. Then, off it went to China to be printed. Mint Tea and Minarets turned me into an author/publisher. My new
“job” is marketing, and to that end, I publish a monthly enewsletter called The Kasbah Chronicles.
The path I took to become a writer, then an
author/publisher, has been arduous at times. But 10 published cookbooks, a
memoir (and a very supportive husband and food photographer) allowed me to
follow my heart. For that, I thank my lucky stars every day.
author/publisher, has been arduous at times. But 10 published cookbooks, a
memoir (and a very supportive husband and food photographer) allowed me to
follow my heart. For that, I thank my lucky stars every day.
Kitty Morse’s writing
and cooking career spans more than more than three decades. She is the author
of 10 cookbooks and a memoir. She has been a guest on radio and television
around the US and abroad, and her articles have appeared in a number of
national and international publications. www.kittymorse.com
and cooking career spans more than more than three decades. She is the author
of 10 cookbooks and a memoir. She has been a guest on radio and television
around the US and abroad, and her articles have appeared in a number of
national and international publications. www.kittymorse.com
Kitty hopes to meet up with some of you at one of the
following events:
following events:
Saturday, September 24: 2:10 to 3:10PM
Alaska Writers Guild annual conference, Anchorage, Alaska,
in partnership with 49 Writers
in partnership with 49 Writers
Kitty Morse on How to write and market a cookbook.
2:10 pm to 3 10 pm:
BP Energy Center
900 E. Benson, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6612
Saturday, September 24: 6PM. Reservations required.
CHAT WITH THE AUTHOR and SAVOR AN AUTHENTIC MOROCCAN DINNER
TURKEY RED RESTAURANT
550 S Alaska, Suite 100, Palmer AK
Email: turkeyredak@gmail.com
Call: 1-907-355-3242
Books for sale provided by David Cheezum, Fireside
bookstore, Palmer, AK. fireside@goodbooksbadcoffee.com
bookstore, Palmer, AK. fireside@goodbooksbadcoffee.com
Monday, September 26. 6-8PM. Reservations required.
Cooking Class: A Taste of Morocco
Allen and Peterson Home store
3002 Seward Highway, Anchorage AK
907-276-0111
Tuesday, September 27. 6PM. Open to the public.
Presentation on Moroccan cuisine and culture
Anchorage Public Library
Chugiak-Eagle River Branch
907-343-1533
Wednesday, September 28: 6:30PM to 8PM. Fee charged.
Sprinkle Flowers on your plate!
Alaska Botanical Gardens Lecture Series in partnership with
49 Writers
49 Writers
September 28 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
BP Energy Center
900 E. Benson, Anchorage, AK 99508
Thursday September 29, 7PM
Presentation on Moroccan cuisine and culture
Anchorage Public Library, Loussac Branch
907-343-1533
Kitty Morse, author
Edible Flowers: a Kitchen Companion with Recipes
Mint Tea and Minarets: A Banquet of Moroccan Memories
Best Book/Arab Cuisine/USA
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards