Robin, I completely agree with you. I'm also an author, of books on parenting and breastfeeding rather than cooking, and I've had more than one argument/battle with publishers over photographs. Writers don't get to approve the photos, and even our strongly-voiced opinions are sometimes ignored.

I hope VegNews can weather this storm and find a way to source affordable vegan photos. Meanwhile, I want to support the publication for all the good things it does.

Teresa Pitman
 

I suggest you do one better and insist on only photos of food from your recipes. That way the cover will truly be representative of what's inside.
 

Dear Robin,
The following is what I posted on FB regarding this controversy and I feel the same concerning your books:
"Shen J C Robinson
I am disappointed, too. But having a background in periodical journalism, I'm happy to give them a break (somewhat!). Yes, digital photos are easier to come by now. However, magazine deadlines are ferocious and Veg News has done an incredib...le job promoting a vegan lifestyle for many years. They do say they make these decisions with consideration and I truly believe one reason we choose veganism is our sense of compassion. That compassion needs to be extended here, as well. There are horrific problems right now on our planet by way of man's violence and acts of nature. Perhaps, it is because I am 64 years old and have been a vegan for so long that my heart reaches out in that direction rather than be upset with a periodical that, much more often than not, is on my side.Veg News has done more than any periodical to make veganism, on every level, accessible."
You have always been a hero of mine for being committed to veganism and making vegan cooking accessible, not intimidating and very easy!
With wooden spoon in hand, I urge you to "cook on!".
You have my support and gratitude!
 

Much Love, Robyn. I agree with everything you said.

I stuck up VegNews and I will stick up for you. You're a pioneer. Don't forget that.

xo

Keep being fabulous!
 

"I implore the otherwise well-meaning people out there to please put this issue into perspective and direct your attention and energies to more important matters. Let’s get back to making great vegan food, helping animals, and living healthier, happier lives."

WELL SAID!
 

Perhaps I am just naive, but I always thought photographs on the covers of cookbooks were photographs of the dishes therein. I think that's the assumption that most people make (at least those unfamiliar with publishing practices). It just seems misleading otherwise.

Yes, the photos on your book covers should be vegan, but they really should also be photos of your recipes.
 

I remain loyal! I stopped by your Facebook page with much the same sentiment.

After some thoughtful consideration, I guess I wasn't truly surprised at the details of the VegNews scandal; I have long been suspect of their recipes. However, I was saddened to see your name in the captured images on QG's blog when the scandal broke. Unlike VN's recipes, I have always had confidence in VN's "legitimate" contributors' recipes (and I own many cookbooks by the same contributors).

All the in-fighting and negative backlash within our usually wonderful community, as a result of the VN scandal, is disheartening to say the least. So, I appreciate the level-headed responses of the more even-tempered and "seasoned" vegans out there. :)

So, long comment short: thank you for the wonderful cookbooks and the lovely blog. You made my vegetarian-to-vegan conversion several years back so much easier! ♥
 

I LOVE your cookbooks!

I have no reason to be disappointed in you or your cookbooks. I don't really pick a cookbook by the cover, I pick it from am author who I like or on reviews I read if I am not familiar with the author.

You, your recipes, your cookbooks, your attitude, heck you rock! You have never let me down.

Keep up the excellent work! I for one, will continue to support you.

Karyn
 

Thanks for the info. Now I know why my dishes look different. But faked photos are not a reason to give up a healthier way of life. I don't buy your books for the pictures. I buy them for the great recipes!

Keep up the crusade. We are still making progress!

Katie
Virginia Beach
 

Thank you all for your support and kind words. And I totally agree: the goal from now on will be actual photos of my recipes! (What a concept!)
 

I'm glad to hear it. I'm hoping that all of this will give you a bit more clout with your publisher when similar issues come up in the future.

I like the Quick-Fix Vegan cover, by the way -- an attractive alternative to a photo of a finished dish.
 

Robin,
As an owner of many of your books, I appreciate your honesty in regards to your covers, like one of the previous posts, I buy them because the content is fantastic and I always make a winner when I cook from your books...... Not because I thought the photo on the cover was or wasn't Vegan.
I hope this whole controversy, brings about open discussion and not too much more vitriol. I too believe that VegNews is doing more good than harm and think perspective is needed here,( although I do think their apology sucked)
A loyal fan from Down Under
Chilliwitch
 

Thanks for your honesty in this matter, and the information about publishers. I agree, there are definitely more important things to worry about. Although I buy cookbooks for the recipes (including most of yours!), I do remember one time buying a book solely because of the chocolate cake picture on the front cover. That recipe was no where inside that book! It seems silly to me that totally unrelated food would be pictured on the cover, instead of actual food from the book.
 

Guess I am surprised that VegNews did not use photos of dishes from the test kitchen, but I also don't know what the budget for photos is. HOWEVER. It is becoming increasingly more easy to provide your own photos, assuming you are actually doing the testing.

The internet is just awash in tips for doing your own food photography, and I can attest that it doesn't have to be godawful expensive. Any sort of photography needs practice, for sure, but acceptable results are not that hard to achieve- just look at some of the fine photography coming out of food blogs that didn't exist a few years ago.
 

Robyn

No worries- while it is dissapointing it is also fixable. accountability is good!!
there are far worse problems to spend a lot of energy on.
carry on, head high, tofu in hand....

doemora