"self-publishing" news and stories

Since we're already talking about Julie Powell today, I thought I'd pass on the news that her book—Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen—beat out 89 competitors including "the intimate diary of a prostitute and a guide to the UK's best 'greasy spoon' cafes to take the Blooker Prize." BBC News has the full story.

Powell's book not only chronicles her attempts at cooking the recipes from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but is also a commentary on French food. It started as an online diary which quickly gained a cult following. "The entries were published as a book last year and has since sold almost 100,000 copies."

The Blooker Prize contest was set up for bloggers who have turned their blogs into books. Bob Young, founder of self-publishing site Lulu, organized and sponsored the prize.

Congratulations, Julie Powell!

[photo: Kelly Campbell]