Mystery Cookbook for Charity •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• In 1999, John was approached to contribute a recipe for A Taste of Murder: Diabolically Delicious Recipes from Contemporary Mystery Writers. Edited by Jo Grossman & Robert Weibezahl and published by Dell, proceeds from the cookbook benefitted a national hunger program named "From the Wholesaler to the Hungry." "Pork Chops Black Mariah" was promptly created by John's wife and named in honor of the world's first motion picture studio on the grounds of Thomas Edison's factory in West Orange. The cookbook was re-issued by Poisoned Pen Press in the autumn of 2003 with proceeds still proudly benefitting the same national hunger program. John found this to be the best experience in working as part of a group effort. Friendly, courteous communication abounded making it easy to work with and to like both of these editors. It was a joy. Copies can still be found at used booksellers. Beginning in late 2013, the Mystery Writers of America began plans to produce their own cookbook but that was quickly tainted by the usual cliquishness which surrounds the MWA's every undertaking. The book's editor was even rude enough and unprofessional enough not to acknowledge the receipt of recipes—something so easily done via e-mail that such an oversight couldn't help but raise suspicions. Even though John's wife is a published cookbook author and cookbook editor in her own right, no acknowledgment was given to either the submission of her recipe or her generous offer of assistance. That doesn't speak well of the person in charge of any project or of any project as a whole. What's more, the MWA cookbook benefits no charities. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Author's Bio | Home Copyright © 2004–2014 John Dandola, Ltd. All rights reserved.