Since late last year, I’ve been working with my publisher, Ten Speed Press, on an electronic version of Asian Dumplings. Today, I’m happy to say that it’s now available at a virtual bookstore near you!
Initially we thought of presenting a straight-ahead digital conversion of the print book but I suggested that we also incorporate audio and video for what’s called an “enhanced” ebook. No, we did not inflate the stuffed buns to be ginormous.
What we did was add new digital content to further help cooks master key techniques, namely rolling out dumpling wrappers and making the various shapes. A video on wiping the dough for spring roll skins is included too.
When Asian Dumplings was released in 2009, I began posting homemade YouTube videos of some techniques and also filmed a few with CHOW.com. They’re posted at this site but are not handily accessible as a collective group. They are also not as polished as they ought to be.
Additionally, whenever I taught a dumpling class or did a demonstration, what people were super interested in was learning the hand movements. As much as I wordsmith phrases for visual and tactile cues, sometimes people need to observe too. All of those factors made me realize that a digital version of the book should include video.
Enhanced Asian Dumplings features a dozen film clips, one introduction and eleven (11) key techniques. They are placed and linked in the book for you to instantly get dumpling making guidance – maybe even some entertainment too. “Mr. Hands” and I are at your beck and call whenever and wherever you need us. At parties, smackdowns, or in the kitchen with the kids, we’re there.
The enhanced version of Asian Dumplings is like an on-demand mini dumpling class. I unfortunately don’t have enough time to teach classes so the ebook is a nifty workaround. It’s the perfect bridge for folks who want a hands-on cooking class experience. And the extra cool thing is that you can replay!
What was involved in making the videos?
Lots of planning by “Team Dumplings”, which was made up of people at Ten Speed Press, including my fabulous editor Melissa Moore who has worked on many acclaimed books, including Peter Reinhart’s Artisan Breads Every Day, Mark Bitterman’s Salted, and Fanny Gerson’s My Sweet Mexico. (Salted and My Sweet Mexico are up for IACP and Beard awards this year! Go Melissa!)
To complete the team, Creative Director Nancy Austin brought on video director Eric Slatkin, with whom I’d worked with on CHOW.com pieces and my soon-to-be released iPhone app! (More on the app soon.) I brought on stylist Fanny Pan to help with the shoot as I know my limits with getting things on set and looking neat.Melissa and Eric worked with me to refine the script and storyboard that I had proposed. We did a read-through to warm up a few days before the shoot. Nancy and I scouted kitchen spaces belonging to generous friends and colleagues and settled on the loft space that you see in the videos. We shot in one long day, and to get 12 videos done required a tremendous amount of coordination.
For more details on the video shoot, a sneak peek at the ebook, and the low down on how this project came together with Ten Speed Press, check the Q&A I did with The Recipe Club.
[4/20/11 Update: For in industry perspective on converting print cookbooks into ebooks, take a read of Publisher’s Weekly 4/18/11 article, “E-Bells and E-Whistles for Silver Palateand Asian Dumplings“. I must say that it’s great to be mentioned in a story alongside a classic such as Silver Palate.]
Print vs. Digital Books
I love books for their physicality – the paper, sewn binding that make the pages fall open just so, compelling photography that matches the honed text. I love all the bookcases we have in the house filled with new and old publications. When I need to research something, it’s great to pull out a volume and flip the pages.
But digital offers portability and the opportunity to provide new content — audio, video, and slide shows to further enliven the text and empower cooks to dive into the recipes. It’s not a zero sum game as ebooks can supplement and complement their printed kin. For those who are on the go or have limited space to store printed works, ebooks are a great alternative.
Options for eDumplings
When you go to look for the ebook, you’ll see that there’s the regular e-version of Asian Dumplings and the enhanced edition with the audio and video. The enhanced version is available for use on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Kindle app that goes with those devices.
Understandably, the iTunes bookstore has the enhanced edition whereas Amazon has separate pages for the enhanced and Kindle editions. If you prefer other ebook readers or platforms, Barnes & Noble’s Nook store, Google eBookstore, and other ebook retailers are carrying the regular ebook.
I realize that it’s confusing. Hopefully some day there wil be one platform for all ebooks. Check it out and if digital Asian Dumplings becomes part of your kitchen, let me know your thoughts!
New Book Announcement
Now I have to go back to work on the new book, Asian Tofu, which will be published by Ten Speed Press in spring 2012. The manuscript is due in May and Melissa is cracking her editorial whip!
Photos by Nancy Austin of Ten Speed Press
I wish there were some sort of deal for people like me who already bought the paper copy and love it.
Nello, I’m sorry that there isn’t an extra break. We tried to keep the cost down so that’s why it’s priced at $14.99. Hopefully, the videos that I’ve posted here will be good enough. You probably don’t need much assistance!
The enhanced version is available for use on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Kindle app that goes with those devices.
Wonderful, it is so nice for me to stand at such a great blog of my life, i am really glad to leave my comment here in very decent topic, thank you!
Such a good writing, or by I saw for the first time. I’m quite happy, you are a good writer
Your website has very good infos. I learned very a lot from reading these
Bra information. Jag hade tur och hittade din webbplats från en slumpmässig Google-sökning. Lyckligtvis för mig, det händer detta ämne bara för att vara något som jag har försökt att hitta mer info om till forskning syfte. Håll oss den stora och tack så mycket.
i am really glad to leave my comment here in very decent topic, thank you!like me who already bought the paper copy and love it.
You can share some of your article, I’m like you write something, really very good! I will continue to focus on
in fact, only Yin Hailan phone call really, other people who are unfamiliar HAILAN, Hailan hesitated a little, now she wanted to find her, in addition to Yin true outside, and then left the
It’s so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
That was my thought,too.
Thank you so much ,i am feeling so nice after reading your article!
Thank your for sharing your wonderful article. I very agree with your views from here.
It’s so lucky for me to find your blog! So shocking and great! Just one suggestion: It will be better and easier to follow.
Thank your for sharing your wonderful article. I very agree with your views from here.
That will really help us all. And this might bring some good repute to you.
well this blog is great i love reading your articles.
I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.
The enhanced version is available for use on the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Kindle app that goes with those devices.
Virtue is fairer far than beauty.
EW
Thank you so much ,i am feeling so nice after reading your article!
Hi, I’ve worked hard and come up with a great bao recipe with a wonderful flavor and texture! Please give it a try!hi
I hope you have a nice day! Very good article, well written and very thought out. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts in the future.
A benchmark index for Indian equities markets was ruling in the red around Friday noon amid negative cues from other major Asian markets. Broader markets too were lacklustre.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE opened at 17,189.75 points and slid to 17,091.76 points, down 73.78 points or 0.43 percent from its previous close at 17,165.54 points.
It had slipped to an intra-day low of 17,025.59 points.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
e
Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
S
I can see that you are spending a lot of effort into your website!I am deeply in love with every single piece of information you post here (there are not many quality blogs left.By the way if you are looking for link exchange with quality Estate Agents Directory,please drop an email-I will be glad to add your link.
Regards,
John
As much as I wordsmith phrases for visual and tactile cues, sometimes people need to observe too.
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinenew.com
YBBZRBGJFZ uggs cheap YPHTFJISSZ http://mykiddy.net/blog.php?user=hrzo1205jj27¬e=3577 HSMPFOYHQD ugg outlet store LBCSIMZSKS http://uggsdiscount.myqblog.com/note/11156/ugg-outlets.html
My good friends recommend this site to me.I have to say that the content here was the most completed that I found anywhere.I will be back to check some more information on this.Thanks~