Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Thomas.
Hi Lauren, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a traditional Jewish family who loved to host and entertain at home. I always paid attention to how I felt as a little girl at these gatherings, no matter how big or small, and I noticed that my grandmother put so much thought into welcoming guests into her home.
She would put so much thought into an evening, from sitting with a stationer to plan invitations, to having the bar fully stocked and jokes ready to break the ice. As a woman with my own family and love for entertaining, I still draw upon the way all of my senses were enhanced when people came over and I try to incorporate that same style when I am hosting.
I love telling stories through writing and pictures. While sharing more about my cooking and entertaining lifestyle on social media, I became aware of the draw that a laid-back yet elegant entertaining style created. I noticed a real desire for people to want to re-prioritize – to find beauty in domestication and a focus on family life.
My educational background in psychology lends itself to realizing the importance of making time for family during mealtimes, and how it nurtures the need for to feel seen and heard.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had no idea how to begin writing a book. I asked around and even reached out to cookbook authors asking for advice and I didn’t find much guidance. I began to feel drawn to this mysterious process and decided that I wasn’t going to take “nothing” for an answer. So I began. And I did it all backwards. One hundred and ten percent of my efforts were beautifully backwards.
What I didn’t know back then would ultimately and singlehandedly become one of the pivoting paths in my process of becoming a published author. Traditionally, an aspiring author writes a book proposal and submits it to publishing houses that fit the genre of their work. This is extremely humbling because if you don’t hire an expensive book agent to connect you to all the right people, chances are you will never even get a response back let alone a “no.”
If you do get recognized, you then send over a manuscript. If you sign a contract with this publisher, the process is complicated and tedious. First, you create a vision statement with your editor so that your team can be crystal clear on your focus. Then you go through edits, copy edits, food styling, and photography, and that is just the beginning. This process can take from months to years.
Here’s what I did — I imagined this beautiful food and lifestyle shoot of my recipes and the way I love to entertain. I assigned myself the role of my own creative director and went down a rabbit hole of finding the best team of food photographers, food stylists, videographers, and hair/makeup artists. We had a meeting at my house and made a plan to shoot over the course of a three-week period.
I spent my own time and money BEFORE I had ever been picked up by a publisher and BEFORE I had ever written a manuscript. My publisher and I laugh at this now, because had I not done this so backwards, I would have never been discovered by them. Moral of the story – if you don’t know where to start, start anyway.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m Lauren Thomas, a 44-year-old mom of two teens, a wife, and a debut cookbook author!
Published on October 25th, 2022, The Modern Hippie Table, a lifestyle cookbook, includes some of my family’s favorite dishes from breakfasts to desserts, and even cocktails! The term “Modern Hippie” is a tribute back to a time when people slowed down and showed up around the table for each other, and it’s my intention to help restore this simpler life in a fast-paced world.
While I pride myself in cooking, the scope of the book goes well beyond the food. It’s a passion of mine to make sure the surroundings are as beautiful as the meal is delicious, so I’ve included ideas to design simple tablescapes using flowers and linens to complement whatever I’m serving.
Also, suggested menus are sprinkled throughout the book to help you plan themed meals for various occasions, and with each menu, I’ve shared tips on how to set the scene. My hospitality philosophy is to make guests feel at ease with uncomplicated foods in a relaxed, beautiful ambiance. The key is to plan details like traffic flow, mood lighting, and music in advance so that, you, the hostess, can enjoy your own gathering, too!
The best conversations and life lessons happen around a table laden with everyone’s favorite foods, and your dining room table is a blank canvas waiting for this to happen. A Modern Hippie lifestyle is the love language I share to inspire everyone to find joy in the lost art of cooking and entertaining.
What’s next?
I may write another book, but for now, I am really enjoying the opportunities that I’ve created for myself on this journey. I’ve met so many creatives and had fun on my book tour traveling, being interviewed on podcasts and radio, and being on numerous news segments around the United States.
Currently, I am enjoying continuing to promote my book, share my passion for inspiring families to make time for each other around their tables, and being a guest speaker.
Pricing:
- My book is on sale at Amazon, Barnes, and Noble, many independent stores around the US as well as most major book retailers. It sells for $35.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.
themodernhippieway.com - Instagram: @the.modern.hippie.
way - Facebook: @The.modern.hippie.way
Image Credits
Kristy Horst and Frankie Chacon
