What would you do if you got an email purporting to be from a very well-known and well-respected person, inquiring about hiring you? You'd assume it was a scam, right? So did I. And I was wrong.
The other day I got an email from one Michael Ruhlman, who very interestingly has the same name as that famous writer/chef who gave us The Elements of Cooking, Ratio, Ruhlman's Twenty, and more (oh, and for those who prefer to explore the world of cooking via TV, who was also a judge on Cooking Under Fire, Next Iron Chef, and Iron Chef America). The Michael Ruhlman in the email said that he was looking for a cookbook copyeditor for a new project, and would I be interested? Ha Ha Ha. Like I was born yesterday! Why don't I just send you my bank account PIN right now?
But then I looked at the return email address, and it was the same one that the real Michael Ruhlman uses at his website.
Gulp.
So I replied, tentatively. How did you find me? And it turns out that he Googled "cookbook copyeditor," and lo and behold! The first thing that came up is this interview with me for the Copyediting blog! My email isn't there, but my blog URL is, and from there he found my email address.
Here's the deal: Michael wrote a short, single-subject* cookbook, and his wife (and food photographer extraordinaire) Donna convinced him to self-publish it to the Kindle, as a kind of experiment. But for that he would need to find a copyeditor on his own ... and that's where I come in! Yes, after some emailing back and forth to get to know one another and discuss the project, it's a go! Really! I'm downright giddy.
*I've been sworn to secrecy. No, I won't tell. I said NO.
OMG I love Michael Ruhlman so much (please tell him his granola recipe is the only one I ever use, I'm sure he'll care). That's awesome, Karen!!
Posted by: Mir | April 18, 2012 at 03:35 PM
That's incredible! Good for you!
Posted by: Elena | April 18, 2012 at 03:46 PM
Brilliant. I liked Ratio.
Posted by: scott | April 18, 2012 at 03:50 PM
Wow, congrats!! What a cool gig.
Posted by: Marlaerwin | April 18, 2012 at 03:55 PM
giddy. but what if you fuck up?!!!
Posted by: ruhlman | April 18, 2012 at 03:58 PM
Oy. That's the spirit! ;)
Posted by: Karen | April 18, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Karen, congratulations! How exciting!!! LOVE him, love his books, and I know you'll do a stellar job--he's lucky you said YES.
Posted by: amy | April 18, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Honestly, that's terrific. Congrats!
Posted by: TwoBusy | April 18, 2012 at 04:24 PM
Congratulations, Karen! I'm thrilled that Dawn's Copyediting post played a small part in your getting the gig. Yah!
Posted by: Erin Brenner | April 18, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Very cool! Congratulations!
Posted by: Tonya Watkins | April 18, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Well, that IS exciting! Congratulations! I especially enjoyed the heartening comment by "ruhlman," above.
Posted by: A Facebook User | April 18, 2012 at 06:06 PM
Ugh. That "A Facebook User" post is from me, but I guess if I don't give Typepad all the permissions, I don't really get to use stupid ol' FB or Typepad here. Anyhow, that IS wonderful news, Karen!
Posted by: Wendy | April 18, 2012 at 06:08 PM
Go yoU!!!
Posted by: jo | April 18, 2012 at 06:55 PM
That's so cool! Congratulations!
Posted by: Janeen | April 18, 2012 at 09:19 PM
Excellent! A casebook study in how to market yourself over the web... in the most genuine, non-icky way. Wonderful.
Posted by: Sandy | April 18, 2012 at 09:47 PM
Congrats! His website is great!
Posted by: Sharon | April 19, 2012 at 12:30 PM
This is so exciting for you, but also very exciting for the growth in self-publishing! So cool, congrats!
Posted by: Katy | April 19, 2012 at 03:02 PM
Fantastic! What a wonderful opportunity - better than legal texts!
Posted by: Kelly | April 25, 2012 at 05:11 PM