Update on the book and more

[Meathead]

In May 2023 I turned in the manuscript for my new book and it was about 300,000 words. Harper Collins said it was twice as long as they wanted. Alas, the contract set no word limit. They said they loved it but they wanted me to cut it down to 140,000 words. I suggested a two-book set. Never been done. That would tell buyers that it was a definitive tome. Marketing said the market couldn't handle a $60+ 2-book set. So we agreed to cut and we pushed the deadline back a year. Sigh. I had to cut a lot, some of which I had posted here. In May 2024 I turned in 137,000 words and 300+ photos and illustrations. They loved it. We are still arm wrestling over the title. I think it will be "The Meathead Method." As you might guess, the content that hit the cutting room floor is enough for another book. I am studying it and deciding what goes to the Pitmaster Club, what goes to the free side of AmazingRibs.com, and what will go into a new book if there is one.

In any case, we have renamed this channel because I want to post things beyond the new book. So it is now "Ruminations From Meathead." The dictionary has two definitions for ruminations:

(1) a deep or considered thought about something.
(2) the action of ruminants like cows chewing their cud.

I like (2) best.

[Oak Smoke]

Here’s something to ruminate on. An aquatint of mine , John Erickson who writes a series of books called Hank the Cow Dog, started his own publishing company in order to get the books published the way he wanted them. He’s done very well. We were at a fund raiser one night where he and Baxter Black the cowboy poet described how they both had chosen that route and were very pleased with it. Like I said something to ruminate on.

[Meathead]

Actually, I did serious research on self publishing and at one time planned on doing it, but Harper Collins made me an offer I could not refuse. If they match it on the next book, I can't refuse that either.

[fzxdoc]

Oh gosh, I haven't thought of Baxter Black for years. Thanks for the reminder.

K.

[ApopkaDave]

Hank, Wallace and Junior, Rip and Snort. What great memories. We met Mr. Erickson one time at a book signing in Austin. Our daughter was young then and we would all sing “rotten meat, rotten meat, the taste is delicious so subtle and sweet.” I think that was the mean old coyotes Rip and Snort. We about wore out those cassette tapes.

[Alan Brice]

Let HC pub the first one n Soft copy the second. Start with the pit.
Where do I send my coin? Also how might I get a signed copy of the HC ?

[Meathead]

We will work out a way to offer signed copies and possibly something special for advance orders.

[smokenoob]

No way there is a 163,000 words of fat in there, must be a place for it!
now, if Panhead John or FireMan were writin’ a book, I could see it…..

[Huskee]

I think 160,000 words were roughly the total of the edits Huskee offered. Sad face.

[smokenoob]

don’t quit your day job! 😁😁😁

[FireMan]

Aye, I like the title! Always pictured meself as a budding ruminant!

[Jim White]

What a relief that at least the pared down version got such a positive response. I can’t imagine the level of patience required when these stages of the process can take a whole year.

Meanwhile, if what the rest of us here in the Pit sometimes do can also be said to be ruminating, it seems that this might be a good time to make sure the “Feed the Flame” thread is kept a safe distance from all the methane we’re generating.

[FireMan]

No “Feed the Flatulance” here, yer sayin!

[smokenoob]

FireMan 10-4

[Oskins]

Hey meathead! Congrats on the book. I'll be looking forward to an advanced copy offer!

[Lars Axelsen]

Quick Question: On page 114 you advise against cold-smoking meat - does this also apply if the meat is being grilled right after, e.g. burger patties?