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Utah author Ryan K. Sager created his kooky debut novel using three ingredients: a precocious daughter, a love of food (especially chocolate) and the healing power of laughter.
"The World's Greatest Chocolate-Covered Pork Chops" (Disney-Hyperion, $16.99) follows a tenacious 12-year-old named Zoey, who opens a restaurant in a San Francisco trolley car and serves delicious, albeit crazy foods, like maple cinnamon crab fajitas and chocolate-covered pork chops. It should appeal to aspiring young cooks who dream of competing on Food Network's "Chopped Junior" and parents who want a not-so-serious book for their tween or middle-grade reader.
Inspiration for the spunky main character came several years ago while Sager, a Brigham Young University graduate, was having a "no cookies at bedtime" argument with his then-3-year-old daughter, Zoey Kate.
When the child refused to take "no" for an answer, the frustrated father thought, "This relentless negotiator would make a great character in a book."
On Saturday, June 24, father and daughter will host an event at the Provo Library to celebrate the book's release. (See box for details.)
Sager said he enjoyed creating the unique foods served inside the Zoeylicious restaurant and giving all the characters food-inspired names. Zoey' s best friend is Dallin Caraway, the loan officer is Miss Lemon and the local food critic is Royston Basil Boarhead.
The silliness helped him cope when — while writing the book — doctors discovered a cancerous tumor on his wife's appendix. "It was a very intense time in my life," he said. "The book and the laughter was my therapy."
Today, Sager's wife is "100 percent better and has been for several years."
Sager uses his middle initial so as not to be confused with the Time magazine reporter of the same name.
During a recent telephone interview from his home in American Fork, he talked openly about the personal importance of the book's setting, his first writing experience and advice for young novelists and cooks. His comments have been edited for space and clarity.
How did you come up with the unique food combinations in the book?
I would think about two things that should not go together, like chocolate and pork chops. I just had fun. I knew if I came up with something fun, I wouldn't have to worry about making it. Although the publisher had a New York chef invent a few recipes that are in the back of the book, including pork chops with mole (which is made with chocolate). The first time I had mole was in college. I had it in Mexico and again when I came back to the states and I loved it. But I kept thinking, "Why do I like this? I'm not supposed to like this, but I want to keep eating it." It was that kind of food experience that I wanted to create in the book.
Why did you pick San Francisco for the setting?
I was born in northern California and grew up in Boise. But as a kid, we would go to San Francisco to see my grandparents. I remember how much fun we had going over the Golden Gate Bridge or taking the Alcatraz tour. A lot of the landmarks I write about in the book are because I have such fond memories. Every time I went, it was magical for me.
The book was published by Disney-Hyperion. Does that mean a film in the works?
They declined the film rights, but my editors thought it would make a great TV show.
When you're not writing books, what do you do?
I got my degree in music and moved to Los Angeles, where I made music for television. That's still my job, but thanks to technology, I can work anywhere. Someone who watches a lot of TV has probably has heard my music on the History Channel or Discovery. I co-wrote the theme songs for "Booze Traveler" and "Cities of the Underworld."
When did you discover a love of writing?
In sixth grade, I was suspended from school for rowdy behavior. Back then, you had in-house suspension, which meant you didn't stay home, you had to come to school and they put you in a room all day. I thought this was great, because I got out my notebook and wrote a story. I thought, "This is fun, can I do that again?" I wrote some in college and then I've kept doing it. When I finished this book, it was the first one — in my mind — that was a proper story.
Any advice for first-time authors?
No. 1, have fun. No. 2, don't try to use big words or hard language. Write simple and clear. Three, work hard. No one is going to write it for you. And four — prayer works.
Any advice for kids who want to be a chef?
I find cooking overwhelming and terrifying. If you put me in a restaurant kitchen with a bunch of orders, I'd be in the corner crying like a baby. So out of respect for people who have more talent, I won't offer any advice. But I would love to a be taster.
A Zoeylicious good time
Meet Ryan K. Sager, author of the new middle reader "The World's Greatest Chocolate-Covered Pork Chops." Guests can get their book signed, eat candy and take photos with Sager's daughter, Zoey, the spunky girl who inspired the book. Sponsored by the King's English Bookshop.
When • Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.
Where • Provo City Library at Academy Square, 550 N. University Ave.
Details • kingsenglish.com/event