Doughnuts For Amy by John Malik - a review and interview

Ever since learning Doughnuts for Amy was going to be released (there's a reason I didn't say published - I'll get to that in a moment), I've been bugging author (and chef extraordinaire) John Malik to read it. Winter Goose Publishing (my own publisher, I should mention - though that in no way sways my opinions) announced the title back in 2014, but then followed a long stretch when there was no news on the book. Still, I continued dropping mentions to Mister Malik about reading his novel. Then, last year, a delectable-looking cover for Doughnuts was dropped, and quite the tease it was. The book's summary promised a mix of culinary prose along with a love story. Further temptation.

Then, finally, at the end of January this year, I received an advance copy of the book direct from the author himself.

Now, full disclosure here, Doughnuts for Amy was once self-published. I could have gotten my hands on the title beforehand, however I wanted to afford the author some respect and wait until he felt the book was truly finished. I was just fortunate enough he sent me a copy before it was released, otherwise I would have had no problem purchasing a copy. But for the sake of review...

In short: the long wait was worth it.

Summary: With the death of his wife taking an enormous emotional toll, Nick St. Germaine is forced to sell his successful restaurant to deal with his loss, his son, and the remains of their family. A year later Nick is called on to take over the executive chef position at Woodmont Retirement Community, where he buries himself in his work and attempts to move forward one day at a time. When a change in management brings new Community Director Amy Sommers into his life, Nick abruptly shows his disdain for her. Convinced to give him a chance, Amy soon finds Nick to be an effective manager, a brilliant cook, and a man worth knowing on a deeper level. Surrounded by quirky cooks, World War II vets, and cranky widows, they set about mending Nick’s broken heart together through understanding, compassion, and a few delectable fried pastries.

Review: What Chef John Malik has created with Doughnuts for Amy is a metaphorical piece of cake, in that it's an easy read that's wonderful on the senses, and, in the end, wholly satisfying.

In particular what struck me most about the novel was how much I was able to devour in a single sitting without realizing it - the characters are incredibly enjoyable, witty, their situations and circumstances surrounding new struggles (Chef St. Germaine with thinking he's going to be let go under the new management, and director Amy Sommers with trying to fit in effectively at Woodmont - both doing a dance around love) are easy to identify with. They're two people you're rooting for the whole way. And yes, there are plenty of descriptions regarding meals that'll keep your tummy interested along with your heart.

Being a writer myself (and currently in the homestretch of a long work period), I admire Malik's ability to create such a memorable cast of characters that, when I wasn't able to read for long stretches while working, I was easily able to catch-up with and continue on as if I never left. That is a testament to Malik's taste of writing.

In prep for this review I reached out to John Malik to ask a few questions regarding his process and the journey of getting Doughnuts for Amy into the hands of a publisher.

So, Doughnuts For Amy existed before being published by Winter Goose - tell me about why you initially wrote the book, how you went about publishing it, and then why did you go with WGP?

I wrote DFA in 2010 thru 2011 and was chasing agents at that time. But that's when they were literally throwing themselves out of windows. So I got discouraged and did [the] self pub route.

In 2013, after I had some moderate success I started chasing agents/publishers again and was very methodical. I got the offer from WG about four months later.

While Chef at The Cascades my boss Karen asked her executive team to do rounds daily, just like a doctor. We were asked to get out of our department and meet someone new then she asked for a weekly email with one memorable report. A few weeks in my reports bloomed into 500 word essays. There's a lot of drama in a retirement community. Death, dementia, old family wounds, lots of government oversight. There was never a dull moment. Death was tough. We had folks in the twilight of their lives. One night we had someone pass away in the dining room. He was a great guy and the staff loved him. That was tough on all of us, but we had lots of other folks to care for so we had to soldier on.

After a month or so of my boss reading my weekly reports, she started egging me to write a book. So I took that to heart and started working on an outline. I wrote DFA because I had a story to tell.

The process of a writer always interests me. Did you keep a writing schedule? What about writing do you love/loathe? What input did you have with the eye-catching cover for DFA?

Once I made the commitment, I wrote three days a week in the a.m. I kept a journal and constantly fiddled with the outline. As I wrote I also made sketches of Woodmont so as characters moved through the campus, it all jived.

About writing: If you're treating it like drudgery and you're not enjoying the process, the reader won't enjoy the writing either.

I had little input into the final cover, that was all Jessica Kristie.

***In the midst of our conversation, John dropped a question on me:

Did I ever tell you my goal of being a guest on Ellen DeGeneres' show for National Doughnut Day?

Does she typically do something special for that occasion?

She might if it's me.

I hit on her in college.

...

I...uh...may have some bad news for you, John.

Doughnuts for Amy is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and where all books are sold.