The wordcount of The Truffle Book (see column on the right) has just ratcheted up a few hundred words. I'm a little over a third of the way to my target word-count of 40,000 carefully chosen and finely honed words. Words that can then go to a suitable editor for a second opinion.

I have a target in mind. I've been involved in a small way with Savour New Zealand, a gourmet masterclass weekend held every two years in Christchurch. I've been a panellist and hosted some of the celebrity presenters up at Limestone Hills (including Antonio Carluccio). This year, Anthony Bourdain of Kitchen Confidential fame is lined up as the headline guest. If I can get the bloody thing written and published by the second weekend in May, perhaps I can launch it there. Even if I can't do anything official, perhaps I can stuff fliers into people's hands, sign copies, go down on bended knees and plead for sales, all the usual marketing things.

So I have a goal, and that forces me to commit to a schedule. Finish the text by the end of February, design and edit the book during March, and print it during April. The printing part is the only real difficulty - it forces me to use a local printer, which may not be as cost effective as using a Singaporean or other SE Asian press, but that may be no bad thing. I support my local winemakers, so I should be prepared to support my local printer.

The Truffle Book (or whatever it will be called): due in May 2005 from Limestone Hills Ltd. Downloads of the first couple of sections free of charge, the full book for about US$10. Printed copies available on bookstalls in NZ, by mail order around the rest of the world. Bookstall publication rights available in all other territories. Translation rights available.

Form an orderly queue, please.

And if I haven't finished writing it by the time my wife gets home from her current overseas trip, I face unspecified sanctions. So I'm working for a quiet life. I hope.