Recently in I Ate My Way Through books Category

In some rather exciting news (which you may have already seen on TV or read on Twitter or Facebook), I was recently asked if I'd like to do a live cross to Channel 7's Sunrise.

On TV? Me?

I've never really liked seeing myself in any video footage, even if it's the boyfriend shooting me on holidays. I think video shows all of one's flaws including those awkward faces you never knew you could pull.

But putting that fear aside, I said yes. Definitely, yes. I am a believer in pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

So anyway, here it is... A night owl, up early, wearing her favourite Alannah Hill belt, cooking on live TV for Australia nationwide. You may want to note all the pauses too; that's me trying my best not to say "umm".

Video description: Jennifer Lam cooks up a Cantonese Stir-Fried Rice with Asian Home Gourmet's spice paste and talks about Chinese New Year traditions and her I Ate My Way Through series on a live cross with James Tobin to Channel Seven's Weekend Sunrise with Andrew O'Keefe and Samantha Armytage.

P.S. It turns out that I love being in front of the camera afterall! Watch this space ;)

Menu For Hope is an annual fundraising event established by Chez Pim five years ago. It involves food bloggers worldwide, donating or sourcing prizes which readers can win by simply buying a raffle ticket. In the last three years alone, Menu For Hope has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars, greatly supporting UN World Food Programme's Purchase for Progress initiative.

WIN A COPY OF MY BOOK

Menu For Hope is back this year and i'll be contributing 2 copies of my book, I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam, valued at AU$49.95 each.

I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam is a 128 page hardcover, vivid photographic memoir coffee-table style book, covering my experience back to my parent's hometown in Vietnam plus a detour to Singapore, a country synonymous for its shopping and hawker stalls. Discover the irresistable flavours of South-East Asia through this chapter of dramatic photographic images and taste the delectable culture and magic of street food vendors who work with little more than a cart and some humble ingredients. This book will excite, delight, educate and inspire - plus the beautifuly illustrated designs, delectable photographs and stunning high quality print materials makes it an ideal gift for foodies this Christmas. It is currently on sale for AU$49.95 at selected bookstores with 10% of net proceeds going to KOTO, a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program that is changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list or browse the local Asia Pacific list which is hosted by Ed at Tomatom
2. Remember to use the code AP29 or AP30 if you would like to try and win a copy of my book, I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam
3. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation
4. Please specify which bid item you’d like in the ‘Personal Message’ section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write-in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code. Each US$10 (a little of AUD $11) you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of US$50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 – 2xEU01, 3xEU02.
5. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match. (This isn’t relevant to Australian bidders)
6. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone

My book on sale at Dymocks World Square

November 2009 has been a sensational month for me. It has proven that when you have a vision... Passion, determination and a lot of late nights can take you a long way! I'm still on a high from seeing my book, I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam, stocked in bookstores (it is now available at Ampersands Cafe & Bookstore, Storm Imaging and Glee Books); And I am blown away every time I meet a complete random stranger who believes in what I have produced and buys my book.

I am even more excited and always somewhat humble at the same time, every time i receive press coverage. In the latest copy of Ciao Magazine, I was interviewed for their feature article on blogging and publishing. Being featured alongside the names of some brilliant authors is so inspiring.

Anyway, here's the article for anyone who has missed it and hello to new readers from Ciao!

The Internet has revolutionized publishing, allowing a whole new range of voices to be heard. So is blogging the new path to literary fame? By Carla Caruso.

The Write Stuff

The literary scene has been buzzing for years about “nobodies” who’ve parlayed a blog into a multi-million-dollar book deal. Christian Lander, interviewed earlier this year by Ciao, went from a low-level copywriter to a bestselling, globe-trotting author with his own TV show when a blog he’d set up for the amusement of a few friends – Stuff White People Like – went viral and attracted the interest of major publishing houses. The time elapsed from his first post to signing a book contract and getting a US$300 000 advance from Random House? Less than three months. Starving in a garret for years working on your novel is so last century.

Inner West food blogger Jennifer Lam, the woman behind www.jenius.com.au, has combined both blogging and self-publishing to realise her dream – recently launching her self-published photographic memoir, I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam ($49.95) with 10 percent of the net proceeds being donated to charity KOTO international.

Lam gave up a dream job in advertising on the eve of her 25th birthday to fully immerse herself in food blogging, which led on to an interest in self-publishing. “Originally, I just did the book of my culinary travels for me and my family. I started showing it around and people asked about buying one. So I tweaked the design and decided to do a print run. Having a digital production background, I already had a relationship with editors and designers.”

Self-publishing seemed the best option for Lam. “I did think about contacting other publishers, but I didn’t want to have to re-write or edit it. And, I tried to brand it my
own way throughout, because I’m hoping in the future to publish other books by bloggers. I’m also really enjoying the marketing side of things – I’m doing it through unconventional means, like social media, and I’m selling the book at delicatessens, cafes and independent book shops, because I think it’s a really niche market.”

For Lam, the path of blogging and self-publishing (a year from the idea to the book being printed) has been a much quicker route to finding an audience than spending months, if not years, sending submissions to commercial publishers and hoping against hope that it will be one of the minute fraction of unsolicited manuscripts that ever make it past the slush pile.

Newtown children’s and young adult author Susanne Gervay reversed the process, becoming a blogger after getting a contract with a publishing house. “Selfpublishing [on blogs] bypasses all that rejection and you can connect with the world. I’ve done the traditional hard and rocky road and am published by HarperCollins Australia and by overseas publishers. I’m glad I’m there, but I didn’t love the knocks on the way. Bloggers have a better time,” she advises.

Fellow young-adult author William Kostakis, who grew up in the Inner West, but is now Bronte-based, also went down the traditional path of sending manuscripts out to commercial publishers. He inked a publishing deal at just 17 with his debut novel, Loathing Lola. Still, he says, “When I say that I scored my contract at 17, people immediately think it wasn’t a lengthy process. I mean, sure, it wasn’t as lengthy as some, but I sent off my first manuscript at 11 and had my first rejection letter before my 12th birthday. It was difficult to get noticed, sure, but the fact of the matter was, I just wasn’t all that good when I started out. The six-year slog gave me time to not only grow as an author, but mature as a person. The process was lengthy, and it was important.”

Kostakis received a lot of exposure post-publication via his blog, www.williamkostakis.wordpress.com, He’s enthusiastic about the possibilities of blogging (in fact, he’s teaching a Blogging for Beginners workshop at the NSW Writers’ Centre next April) but not so keen on self-publishing. “Yes, you should have your ‘sole creative vision,’” he says, “but sometimes, you need someone to tell you what stinks, someone to approach your story from a different perspective, someone to bounce ideas off, someone to help your idea grow and reach its full potential. You need an editor. When you self-publish, it’s all you. There’s no-one investing time and money in you, wanting to get the best out of you and your product.”

Jeremy Fisher, the executive director of the Australian Society of Authors, says writers shouldn’t shy away
from the new possibilities – particularly in the digital world. “Stephen King has tried to do a serial story online, which people had to pay for by subscription, but he gave up halfway through. Still, it’s just a matter of when the time is right. [Canadian sci-fi writer] Cory Doctorow publishes his stuff in its entirety online and many people still buy it in book form, because it’s friendlier to read. In Japan, there is also a whole range of SMS novels, which particularly appeal to female readers, and writers are making a viable business writing them.”

So, can it really be true? Does the Internet mean everyone has the chance to be a successful, published writer? Sadly, Fisher says no: “Everyone thinks writing is easy – until they start. It’s not an easy path, nor is it one that will likely make anyone rich in the short-term. And the competition is still intense.”

Ciao Magazine is a fortnightly lifestyle and editorial publication distributed to residents and retail outlets within Sydney's Inner-West -Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield Councils. Ciao has a print run of 25,000 and a readership of 50,000.

Hello to new readers from 9to5!

On page 56 in the Alive section of this week's edition of Nine To Five Magazine, is a fantastic review of my book! *giggles*

It reads:

Food blogging it seems, is the new rage and one of Australia's best is Jennifer Lam (best known for her blog jenius.com.au). Lam has switched the blog for the book in the first of her I Ate My Way Through collection and she invites you on her journey to the exotic food-loving countries of Singapore and Vietnam. Part photography journal and part travel diary, the book is the perfect coffee table addition and thoroughly shows Lam's gastronomic experience (she even covers the plane food). With inspiring dishes and brilliant photos you'll feel like you're at the table.

Nine To Five is a valuable source of shopping, fashion, beauty, health, food, travel and career advice for people living and working in Sydney. It is published every Monday and has a circulation of 40,116.

Many of you who follow me on Twitter will know by now that I was super thrilled to have been featured in last week's (Wednesday, 11th November, 2009) mX newspaper!

Hello to readers from mX!

Sydney commuters were greeted with a big foodie smile on Page 5 which said:

Get your gob around this meal deal
Jennifer Lam loves to eat. And she loves to write about and photograph her meals. The Gen Y food blogger from www.jenius.com.au has a photographic exhibition of her Asian gastronomic adventures at Global Gallery Paddington until Sunday.

mX is a bright, energetic must read for the busy city worker targeting the young and affluent -a generation driven by aspiration. mX provides an afternoon 'pick me up' for city commuters with its daily mix of fun, news, sport and entertainment. It has an average circulation of 98,743 with a total readership of approximately 314,000 Sydneysiders.

This post has nothing to do with food but plenty to do with me.

You may have noticed from the updated ABOUT section of this blog, that I have recently made some big changes. So when AMEX (American Express) brought to my attention, their latest campaign on “Potentialists”, I was super keen to take part. It’s a topic very close to my heart and I hope this post can help many who feel stuck (in work and life).

Social researcher Mark McCrindle explained that ”Potentialists are the one in five Australians who demonstrate a clear ambition to live a rounder life –one that mixes traditional career success with a refreshing appetite for new experiences. They are looking to make more of what they have, rather than always wanting more, and display an optimistic attitude that has previously been most associated with Generation Y.”

So here’s my story.

Three months ago, on the eve of my 25th birthday, I built up the courage and determination to resign from what used to be my dream job.

How it all started… I entered the professional world of advertising / interactive / digital media (whatever you wish to label it) straight out of uni. I studied a Bachelor of Design Computing at the University of Sydney which was a very broad but interesting course, allowing me to dabble in everything from eMarketing to 3D modelling to game development to interactive design and product design. At graduation, I felt that the degree hadn’t offered me enough so I went on to do a Graduate Diploma in Commerce, specialising in Marketing at the University of New South Wales.

Then I job-jumped several times; I always felt like it was the right time to leave once I had stopped learning new skills and wasn’t challenged enough. I thrived on testing new waters (and occasionally threw myself into the deep end) and loved moving diagonal on the corporate ladder. It meant I was ultimately able to easily expand my expertise and networks while giving myself the satisfaction and salary rises I knew I deserved.

While all of this was happening, I had of course picked up several hobbies. Blogging and producing my photographic memoir, I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam was one of them, but I also enjoyed dressmaking, web designing, web developing and photographing. These hobbies were pursued outside of work which meant that it was common for me to be up until 3am on a weeknight.

Business also became a hobby. After exposing myself to hundreds of business blogs, books and seminars, I found myself filled with business ideas and little time to do research let alone write business plans. I loved the idea of making something out of nothing.

I hit a snap point after two business ideas fell through which was when I realised I was letting a lot of opportunities go simply because I couldn’t commit to them 100%. So it was only logical that I take the next step and work four days a week.

I did that for about two months before deciding the one day off wasn’t enough.

In the first few months post-employment, I have become an events coordinator, a publicist, a book distributor, a copywriter and a digital marketing consultant specialising in food and hospitality. So until I’m hit with the responsibilities of marriage, children and a mortgage, I love not knowing where my entrepreneurial interests will take me in the next few years.

Here are 5 tips on what you can do next:

1. Surround yourself with inspiration.
Read and meet success stories. Check out the film Lemonade; a documentary which tours the lives of former advertising executives, post-GFC (Global Financial Crisis), from the moment they were fired through to how they saw it as an opportunity to discover long-held dreams that range from artist, to holistic healer, to coffee roaster.

There are plenty of social networks around which are filled with like-minded people, whatever your interest lies within.

2. Experiment with different hobbies
If someone had told me that I will be doing my hobby full time, three years ago, I never would have believed them. I think ultimately, everyone desires to spend more time on their hobbies, whether it be go-karting, painting, travel writing or jewellery-making so give everything a go until you find your passion.

3. Take advantage of flexible working arrangements
Taking the first step can be as simple as leaving work an hour early to attend a writing or cooking course.

4. Recognise who your support team is
Let your partner, family, friends and even colleagues know about your decision to explore your inner-artist and decide what compromises need to be made. Their support is invaluable.

5. Combat fear
Once you’ve fleshed out and faced the worst case scenario, opportunities tend to look brighter :)

Win a $300 travel voucher
Thanks to American Express, one lucky JENIUS reader will be able to take their inspiration to another level with a $300 travel voucher, helping them realise their travel potential.

To enter, simply leave a comment below in 25 words or less and tell me how this $300 travel voucher could help realise your potential.

Competition closes 19th November, 2009 at 11:59pm AEST and is valid to Australian residents only.

P.S. Don't forget to drop by Global Gallery in Paddington, Sydney, this week to check out my book and photography exhibition! x

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all participants for sharing their passion, aspiration and goals. I am truly inspired.

Good luck with chasing your dreams!

Jen
x

I am delighted to announce that on November 10th – 15th, we will be launching my photographic memoir on culinary treasures from Singapore and Vietnam. It is a project that I have been working on for over a year and am very excited to be able to share this chapter of my life with you.

If you can't make it, then feel free to drop by the gallery any time during the exhibition dates to buy your very own signed copy. I will be there every day so make my day and come say hello! :)

I Ate My Way Through Singapore and Vietnam is the perfect coffee table (or bedside table) book for any foodie. It covers my experience back to my parent’s hometown in Vietnam and includes a detour to Singapore, a country renowned for its shopping and hawker stalls.

I’ve loved photographing and writing about this breathtaking trip and am delighted at being able to share the irresistible flavours of South-East Asia with you. The book is full of dramatic photographic images; ones that I hope will allow you to taste the delectable culture and magic of street food vendors who work with little more than a cart and some humble ingredients.

This is a limited print run, so I hope that readers who have followed me throughout the almost 4 years of blogging will find this a cool collectable.

And for those who have only just discovered this blog recently, I hope you like what you see and are intrigued to follow me through Singapore and Vietnam.

Of course the book will also make a fantastic Christmas gift, so feel free to buy two :)

The book is priced at $49.95 (AUD) with 10% of net proceeds going to KOTO International, a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program that is changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam; and is available for sale via www.iatemywaythrough.com, at Global Gallery during the exhibition dates, at Ampersands Cafe and Bookstore, Storm Imaging and soon, through selected cafes, delicatessens, restaurants and independent book stores.

I have also set up an affiliate program which will allow you to make $5 from every sale that you generate. Find out more at www.iatemywaythrough.com.

When there’s a launch, there’s a party, and as mentioned above, on November 12th, 6 – 8pm, readers of JENIUS (yes, that’s you! Please shoot me an email if you would like to attend ), bloggers, chefs, food and travel editors, influential young professionals and friends are invited to experience I Ate My Way Through Singapore and Vietnam with a photography exhibition, and a selection of authentic Vietnamese canapés served by Saigon Saigon, matched perfectly with Aja wines.

I am extremely excited to be partnering up with Saigon Saigon and Aja wines.

Saigon Saigon takes pride in offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a contemporary space. With background music being a blend of traditional Asian instruments and modern urban beats, I think they offer the perfect dining atmosphere –a cool place to hang out with the right level of noise and intimacy.

Their décor of paintings, wood carvings, hand-made lanterns and bamboo menu folders have all been sourced from Saigon, Vietnam; and most produce is even purchased personally by the Vietnamese restaurant owner’s mother on a daily basis.

I believe this popular restaurant in Glebe will help bring to life an authentic Vietnamese taste without guests having to board a plane.

Aja (pronounced Asia) was a simple choice for me to partner with as I simply adore their blends, which have been specifically combined to match Asian cuisine.

Aja aims to achieve an upfront fruitiness which complements a wide variety of Asian flavours, from the more delicate, fragrant ingredients in Asian cuisine, to counterbalancing the heat of spicier dishes; plus it has a crisp finish which helps to cleanse the palate, and serves the Asian custom of sharing several very different flavoured dishes in the one meal.

Aja Blush was created next for anyone (like me) who prefers red to white. A lower alcohol, lightly sparkling Moscato blush wine, Aja Blush is deliciously refreshing with just a hint of sweetness. Mmmmmm…

I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam, RRP $49.95
Exhibition dates: Tuesday 10th  – Saturday 14th November, 11am – 6pm and Sunday 15th November, 12 – 4pm
Launch night: Thursday 12th November, 6 – 8pm
Location: Global Gallery, 5 Comber Street, Paddington, Sydney
More info: Visit the official website


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So dear readers, I hope you can make it to the exhibition and/or launch night, and don’t forget to buy a book or two :)

Love,
Jen
x

Well, hasn't it been a little too long since I have last blogged! I promise you I haven't been slacking off... In fact, I finally got around to setting up these 2 sites last weekend. Check out jenniferlam.com and iatemywaythrough.com.

You can now even add your name to a waiting list and receive sneak peaks of my upcoming book / photographic memoir: I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam.

Book cover of I Ate My Way Through Singapore & Vietnam

Thanks for your patience, I'll be on to the Taste Of Sydney post straight after this!

Jen
x