Rough Patch paperback publication day special
FREE TO READ: recipes and extracts from my book, plus two party invitations and a giveaway.
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Hello you lovely lot
This is a special extra newsletter to celebrate the arrival of my book, Rough Patch, in glorious paperback (quite fancy - see unboxing video above) . It’s out today - HURRAY! - so I hope you’ll grab a cuppa (and a copy!) and celebrate with me. I’ve got lots of treats and recipes for you below and a general sense of giddy excitement…
Plus, plans for TWO PARTIES and your chance to WIN A COPY.
(TECHNICAL NOTE: There are a LOT of stuff here and they might not all fit in your email. If so, just hit VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE at the end of the email, or head to the app or online version.)
What is Rough Patch?
If, by some miracle, you’ve avoided me bombarding you with news about Rough Patch, let me catch you up:
It’s my latest book which came out in hardback last year. It’s a sort of memoir with recipes about how I discovered that growing veg was a powerful restorative, and the grisly tale of why I need restoring in the first place.
Rough Patch includes recipes, a journal of goings on in the patch, and life lessons learnt in from getting back to the land. Here’s the full spiel, written in the third person for added self-importance (and also because it’s lifted from the press release):
The cover art and title text, incidentally, are by the infeasibly talented Rosie Ramsden who I met when she styled my first book, From the Veg Patch. There’s more of her beautifully wild illustrations inside the book too and you can watch us chatting about her the process of creating it all here:
Join me for the paperback party 🥳
WHEN: Friday 6th February 1pm (GMT)
WHERE: here on Substack LIVE for all subscribers
WHAT: BYO cake and tea. Ask me anything*. I’ll read a new extract (Jackanory style like this one) and chat about the story and the process of writing the book and generally beam with excitement at you (sorry)
(*Please come or it’ll just be me talking to my phone!)
HOW: If you’re new to Substack Live, it works like Instagram Live - you can see me, I can’t see you - and there’s a live text chat for you to ask questions. You join via the Substack app or desktop. Just click on the button above at 1pm on Friday.
But why have one party when you can have two?
I’d also love you to join me in actual real life at an actual bookshop:
WHEN: Thursday 5th March 6:30-8pm
WHERE: Jaffe & Neale bookshop, Chipping Norton
WHAT: “a 45-minute chat with Kathy followed by wine and a sharing plate of tasters from the book”
Tickets are £20 and include:
Signed copy of Rough Patch
Exclusive seed packet – a special gift from me
Sharing plates of seasonal tasters using recipes from Rough Patch
Wine!
Polly Jaffe says:
Do join us for this exclusive event, you will be transported to a Spring-like place – with flowers on the tables and seasonal tasters to tempt the tastebuds – all made by Kathy using recipes from the book. It promises to be a very special event so book your place now!
This is an indie bookshop with a magical atmosphere and I’m certain it’s going to be a truly memorable evening. I’d love it if you could come.
A taste of Rough Patch
I’ve been busy chatting to some excellent and generous Substackers about the book. Here’s a few:
And some lovely podcasts:
BBC Gardeners World just last month
Standard Issue podcast from the Standard Issue Podcast team
Recipes from Rough Patch
There are over thirty seasonal recipes in the book, here’s a taster:
Giveaway!
Can’t launch a book without a giveaway, can you?
I have THREE COPIES of the Rough Patch paperback for you to give to someone you think could do with a little dose of nature cure. I’ll write a personal message to them in the front and sign it. To enter:
Click on the the Instagram post above and like it
Tag someone in the comments you would like to give the book to if you win (no, it can’t be you!)
Hit repost and spread the word
Entries close on Monday 9th.
Humphrey the spaniel will pick 3 winners out of a hat and I’ll be in touch to arrange your special, signed dedication and postage. (UK only postage please. T&Cs in the Instagram post.)
And finally…. Thank you
I don’t want to get all soppy, but thank you. Really. These are some of the messages you’ve sent me about Rough Patch and it just makes my day. This, is what it’s all about. Connection. So thank you.
‘The Eat. Pray. Love of our time”
“ Like a lush green version of Katherine May’s wintering”
“personable, witty, and thought-provoking”
“I was gripped from start to finish.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I would have loved some photographs. However, the message did become a tad repetitive, hence I knocked off one star.”
(That last one just so I keep me feet on the ground…)
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Happy Paper Pub Day! I’ve loved watching your journey. Xx