Raj Tawney: You Have to Be Relentless and Resilient
Raj Tawney is a writer and journalist whose work largely reflects his New York upbringing and sensibility. Raised in an Indian, Puerto Rican, and Italian-American household, Tawney has explored his own race and identity through stories published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, USA Today, Smithsonian Magazine, and many other outlets throughout the country.
His debut memoir, Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience, will be published by Fordham University Press/Empire State Editions on October 3, 2023. Learn more at: rajtawney.com.
Raj Tawney
In this post, Raj discusses the challenge in writing his debut memoir, what happened after he got a literary agent, and more.
Name: Raj Tawney
Book title: Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience
Publisher: Empire State Editions/Fordham University Press
Release date: October 3, 2023
Genre/category: Memoir
Elevator pitch for the book: A timely self-examination of the “mixed” American experience featuring exclusive recipes and photographs from the author’s multicultural family.
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What prompted you to write this book?
I wanted to show my family that people like us not only belong in the American landscape but that our lives are perhaps more beautiful than just a family of a single culture. From writing and publishing personal food and identity essays for years, readers from all over the country kept writing to me and telling me how deeply they related to my experiences. Writing this book was the next logical step and I hope it makes an impact on folks from all walks of life.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
It took almost three years. I worked with a brilliant freelance editor, Benée Knauer, who was incredibly motivating and believed in my story. She stuck it out with me through the ups and downs, and has become a dear friend. I’d write and write and write, and she’d challenge me and push me to expand and make it better.
Originally, it was called Off White but I didn’t want to make a book of difficult experiences. Though there are so many important books out there on race and identity, I felt my life has been more nuanced than that. It’s both beautiful and painful, and food was the connective tissue through it all towards helping me understand myself. So, I stayed true to my writing the kind of book that I wanted and I’m glad I didn’t give in or give up.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Once I signed with an agent, I completed a proposal (about half the book) that they took and shopped around to publishers. However, we were told the book wasn’t “dark” or “edgy” or “marketable” enough. Pretty soon, everyone around me kind of gave up.
If it wasn’t for my wife and family who continued to give me support and encouragement, I wouldn’t have had the strength to leave my agency and shop the book around myself. I received multiple offers and signed with Fordham because they truly believed in my story and mission. All of the frustration and setbacks truly did help me grow.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I didn’t realize how emotionally draining it would be. Revisiting moments and memories in my life was difficult but it was also therapeutic in a way. I still don’t have it all figured out but I think I’m much more proud of who I am.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope readers will see themselves in my story. They don’t have to have the same backgrounds whatsoever. But the basic humanistic elements are universal.
I wrote honestly and candidly but I’m not a writer who over-explains or dumbs things down. I want people to think about the space between the words and what’s not being said. I want to open up conversations. I feel I’m insulting readers if I spoon-feed them factoids. I want readers to feel what I’m feeling.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
If you believe in yourself and have a goal, don’t ever let up until you accomplish it. You may go mad and get frustrated, but we can achieve impossible things when we are insanely driven. But you have to be relentless and resilient.