Celadon Books is thrilled to announce our latest acquisition, FINDING FREEDOM by Erin French. Upon reading the submission, Senior Vice President and Co-Publisher Deb Futter knew that this powerful, uplifting story belonged on the Celadon list. She acquired the rights from agent Janis Donnaud at Janis A. Donnaud & Associates.
Owner and chef of The Lost Kitchen, Erin chronicles her personal story of being a divorced mother, grappling with addiction, recovery, and loss. Ultimately, Erin’s struggles led her to find hope, renewal, and redemption in “the exact place I was ever meant to be”–her tiny hometown of Freedom, Maine. Told with honesty, humor, and insight, FINDING FREEDOM will resonate with those who are searching for their own voice and place in the world.
"Erin French's cooking and sense of style, inspired by her beloved Maine, have made her into a renowned chef and the face of one of America's most cherished restaurants,” says Deb. “But it is her riveting life story that will make her known as a writer and champion of women."
Erin French is the owner and chef of The Lost Kitchen, a 40-seat restaurant housed inside a 19th-century gristmill in Freedom, Maine. The Lost Kitchen was recently named one of "12 Restaurants Worth Traveling Across the World to Experience" by Bloomberg. A born-and-raised native of Maine, Erin learned early the simple pleasures of thoughtful food and the importance of gathering for a meal. Her first book, The Lost Kitchen, has been named one of the best cookbooks of 2017 by The Washington Post, Vogue.com, and Remodelista.
FINDING FREEDOM will publish in winter 2021.