After producing the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show for 30 years, and the Scovie Awards Competition for 21 years, Sunbelt Shows, Inc. has expanded with a book publishing division. Sunbelt Editions is a joint venture with Don’s Bookstore, the oldest bookstore in Albuquerque and probably New Mexico. Elizabeth Johnson, owner of Don’s Bookstore, has been named publisher of Sunbelt Editions, and I will serve as editor. Lois Manno, who I’ve worked with since the early days of Chile Pepper magazine (25 years+), has been named book designer and illustrator. We are building a website at SunbeltEditions.com, and our first three books are:
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- After being a hardcover bestseller in 12 countries, this is the first U.S. paperback that tells the story of how new crops like durum wheat, sugar, rice, tomatoes, and chile peppers led to the Italian cuisine we know today.
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- Subtitled “Eyewitness Accounts of Barbecue History,” this book use original sources and famous authors to tell the hidden history of meats on the grill and in smokers.
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- Set in south Florida, this thriller is about invasive reptiles, smuggling, meth manufacturing and how ECIS–Ecological Crimes Investigative Services–takes charge as violence ensues.
Da Vinci’s Kitchen is available for sale here; First Skin 500 Squirrels here, and The Big Squeeze here.
