Cookbook?

[spencersage]

Hey there, Chochachos.

I'd been waiting for a couple of years for the Achewood Cookbook to be back in stock on the shop... and now the shop is gone entirely.  Seems odd to me that the man would eliminate the only source of Achewood-related funding he had left (aside from the tip jar), even if he was putting the comic on "indefinite hiatus."  I've honestly been quite baffled and confused by the whole situation, mostly because the explanations range from "there was no money in it and he's a good guy" to "he made $250,000 a year and is kind of a dick" to "he is from Circumstances"

Anywho, I've started trolling independent book shops when I think about it, looking for a copy of the damn thing, and I can't find it anywhere, online or off.

Anybody got an Achewood Cookbook guy?  Like, stands under streetlamps and doles them out from a dark trenchcoat?  Or maybe you know of some dark Internet corner where they can be found.  Or maybe you've got an extra copy lying around.  Or maybe you've scanned yours and can send me the PDFs (don't bitch, I threw money at the tip jar  ).

Any help on this would be appreciated!

[AugustWest]

Anybody got an Achewood Cookbook guy?  Like, stands under streetlamps and doles them out from a dark trenchcoat? 

Like this guy?

[jay-ell]

Welcome, Spence. I think CortJstr ordered one a while back and hasn't received his, either. He can give you more details on it, but AFAIK, they were never actually produced.

Oh, wait -- did you mean the first cookbook or the second one? Because I have a copy of the first one, that one definitely released. But IIRC, there was supposed to be another that never materialized.

[CortJstr]

Welcome, Spence. I think CortJstr ordered one a while back and hasn't received his, either. He can give you more details on it, but AFAIK, they were never actually produced.

Oh, wait -- did you mean the first cookbook or the second one? Because I have a copy of the first one, that one definitely released. But IIRC, there was supposed to be another that never materialized.

Yup. Here's the last e-mail I received about Volume 2 on 12/18/2009

Hi again, this is Amplifier Customer Service -- We handle the shipping for Chris and Achewood. Unfortunately, the new Cookbook Volume 2 has not yet arrived from the printing facility, and it looks as though delivery before Christmas in unlikely. In an attempt to allow the rest of your order to arrive in time for the holidays, we took the liberty of shipping any other in stock items ahead of the cookbook's arrival. Thanks for your continued patience and patronage. If it is any consolation, Chris claims to have now perfected the fried chicken recipe, which you should be able to enjoy in the near future! We will pass along an updated delivery schedule for your cookbook as soon as possible. In the meantime, please enjoy the holidays, and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

http://www.achewoodshop.com/info.html

Thanks,
Amplifier Customer Service

[wombat]

I wish I could help you out, because the Achewood cookbook is one of my favorite things on earth, and I feel your pain.

If he ever admits he's done - shuts down the fanflow and stops saying he's gearing up to come back - I could see making copies for a few selected imaginary friends. But at this point I'm not comfortable doing it.

[Nabubrush]

I never got the poster that I tried ordering from his MySpace page - but I was certain I wouldn't.

[spencersage]

Thanks for all of the responses!  Sorry for the delay, uni is starting up again and I have less and less time for such diversions as cookbook-hunting.

[TripperDay]

Ahem...

bump.

[dejavroom]

Goddammit, I finally have enough scratch around to treat myself to some Achebooks and this happens?

[spencersage]

I hate to zombify a dead thread by bringing it back from the brink, but I'd like to ask about this again. I'm really in a passionate cooking phase of my life right now and it is becoming imperative to me that I have this cookbook. Judging by what we know of Onstad, do you suppose he would email a PDF of the book if I asked and offered to PayPal some money to him? As I said before, I've kicked into the tip jar several times, and all I want is to buy a copy of the damn cookbook! Seems an odd business model that I am unable to do so.

[Nabubrush]

I would say he would not do that. On the other hand, why not ask? I'm normally wrong in what I think he will do.

[wombat]

My experience is that he used to answer his email and now he doesn't, even if it's a much less hard question than that.

But you know what, why don't you try, and if it doesn't work, let me know. Maybe we could work out a "loan."

[AugustWest]

I hate to zombify a dead thread by bringing it back from the brink, but I'd like to ask about this again. I'm really in a passionate cooking phase of my life right now and it is becoming imperative to me that I have this cookbook. Judging by what we know of Onstad, do you suppose he would email a PDF of the book if I asked and offered to PayPal some money to him? As I said before, I've kicked into the tip jar several times, and all I want is to buy a copy of the damn cookbook! Seems an odd business model that I am unable to do so.

You won't get a PDF, but you might get a sneering mention in his next interview.

[Nabubrush]

Zing!

[spencersage]

Let there never be ill spoken of the man. Just had this email exchange with Chris today:

Subject: A Request.

Mr. Onstad:

As I know you are a busy man, I will keep this brief.  I am a longtime reader and a huge fan of your work.  I also have a passion for cooking, and have recently entered a phase of my life in which I have much more time to spend in the kitchen. Recently, I have been dying to try some of Achewood's recipes as Nice Pete's fried chicken is one of my favorite recipes. I unfortunately missed out on purchasing the Achewood Cookbook when it was still available, and cannot find a copy for procurement anywhere. I am more than happy to pay good money for one, but as I said cannot find it. I know that you are no longer in the merchandise business, but I would love to exchange money for a digital copy of the Achewood Cookbook. I have donated to the tip jar in the past and will do so again in whatever amount you desire, or I can send the money to you more directly. All I request is that you email me a PDF or equivalent of the cookbook. It will not be shared with others. I sincerely hope you consider my request, as I am eager to try some of your recipes. Best wishes.

Thanks for the years of laughs,

Spencer

Re: A Request.

Hi Spencer,

Thank you for the note, which is rather timely. I am in the process of
putting together an "honor system"-type store, which would have a lot
of our digitally-transferable content available for free download and
a suggested tip amount. The cookbook would be among these.

It's my hope to have this going in a couple weeks. Thanks for helping
inspire me to get it done. I'd just send you a PDF of the book but
there just isn't one.

Best,
/C