What Is It?
What is the
idea behind it?
Who can contribute?
What
do I get?
What is the format for my contribution?
How
many contributions can I make?
Does everyone get
published?
Will my text be edited?
How
does my name and personal information feature?
What
is the edition of the book?
How do I know I have been
accepted?
When does it come out?
Can
I spread the word?
What Is It?
The How Not To Cook Book- lessons learned the hard way is
a limited edition book and art project by Aleksandra
Mir commissioned and produced by Collective,
Edinburgh and funded by The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts
Council and the Esmee Fairburn Trust, UK.
What is the idea behind it?
While the typical cookbook format gives you a recipe
for obvious success it does not take into account the many ways in which
its execution can fail due to the cook's lack of experience. Based on Aleksandra's
personal history of cooking disasters, the project invites 1000 people
from
all around the world to give their advice of how NOT to cook. With this
volume, any reader will be more than well equipped to avoid making the same
mistakes
in their kitchen.
Aleksandra is interested in how we are taught or teach ourselves through trial
and error. By making our guilty failures public we may even be creating an
original and subversive form of art, rather than simply be aspiring to obvious
and repetitive results.
Collective are committed to supporting new visual art through a programme of
exhibitions, projects and commissions. We are producing a series
of events,
which examine public art in relation to this project.
Who can contribute?
Anyone!
We are asking amateur food lovers and professionals chefs the like to share
with us their experience. If you work for or own a restaurant, please list
it!
What do I get?
You get to see yourself in print and if you submit an address a copy of the book
will be sent to you hot of the press. Also, if you are in Edinburgh, you can
take part in the How Not to Cook events with guest speakers.
What is the format for my contribution?
Please read the examples. Every contribution is written
in the imperative as a piece of advice to the reader. The length can be anything
from one sentence to a couple of paragraphs (250 words max).
The book will be published in English, please write in English (of any standard)
if at all possible. Contributions in Italian or Spanish will be translated. Contributions
in other languages we will endevour to translate.
How many contributions can I make?
As many as you want.
Does everyone get published?
The first 1000 contributions will be published, as long as they stick to the
format above. Your contribution has to be judged as believable, i.e. based
on actual experience.
Will my text be edited?
We will make a very light edit for coherency, but leave almost everything as
it comes in. We want to hear the multiplicity of your voices!
How does my name and personal information feature?
Texts will be anonymous within the book and can be submitted anonymously.
However, names of all contributors who give them will be listed in alphabetic
order in the back.
We will not publish your email or postal address.
We need your email so that we can keep you up to date or contact you if we have
any questions. We need your postal address so that we can send you the book.
If you contribute anonymously we will not be able to confirm any changes to your
text or send you the book. Up to you!
What is the edition of the book?
We are printing 2000 copies, 1000 to be given back to the contributors. The revenue of the other 1000 will be distributed by Revolver Books and will pay back for its production. This is a small press limited edition - a treasure for your
kitchen.
In September the book will also be available on this site as a free for download
PDF file.
How do I know I have been accepted?
We will reply to everyone who leaves an email address,
just be patient
When does it come out?
The launch date of the book is 6th August 2009 In Edinburgh,
UK. Please come if you can. contact
The book will be mailed to all accepted contributors in September. Please be
patient.
We will not be able to respond to any emails after June 1. With 1000 correspondents,
this is impossible.
Can I spread the word?
YES! We want contributions from all around the world. We will accept contributions
until we have 1000 or until we have to close contributions to meet the launch
date on 1st May 2009
Please click here to forward this link to anyone you think would like to contribute: