I had a great time interviewing Emma Cooper about her e-book, Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs, as part of her virtual book tour.
Update 21st April 2015: I’m pleased to report that Emma’s Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs is now available in print.
The book explores unusual edible plants — their histories, the people who discover and cultivate them, and practical tips for growing and using them yourself.
Topics we discussed include oca, chayote and salep; the pleasures and challenges of growing uncommon edibles; curious anecdotes such as chewing gravel, dog’s balls, mouth-fizzing sensations and even coconut clothing.
The interview is full of useful information, personal stories and plenty of laughter. It runs just over 30 minutes and is a warm, informative listen.
Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs Interview
Press the play arrow below to listen directly from this page.
Or right-click the link below to download the audio file to your computer.
Emma: Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs — Interview (mp3)
The music on the interview is by Nobara Hayakawa and used under a Creative Commons license.
Where to buy Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs
You can buy Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs from Smashwords. A preview is available there and the book comes in multiple formats, including PDF for readers without dedicated e-readers. The introductory price was $2.99 USD, rising to $3.99 after the publication date.
The book is also offered through other retailers, including major e-book stores and platforms.
Reviews, readings and interviews
You can catch up with Emma’s other tour dates, reviews and interviews on a number of blogs and sites that featured her book during the tour.
- All Things Bright & Beautiful
- Japan Farmers Markets — interview (part 1)
- Japan Farmers Markets — interview (part 2)
- Japan Farmers Markets — review
- The Alternative Kitchen Garden Show
- The Backyard Larder
- The Cats Tripe
- The City Planter
- The Garden Deli
- The Road to Serendipity
- Veg Plotting
- Weeding the Web
To learn more, explore Emma’s blog for background on the book, growing tips, recipes and updates from her work with unusual edibles.