Narrative & Brand Strategy
MEMORIES OF CHOCOLATE CAKE - BOOK LAUNCH
Development and launch of a narrative-led cultural project spanning publishing, brand identity, and community-based experiences.
Role
Narrative development and authorship
Creative and brand identity
Publishing & distribution strategy
Experiential concept development
Community and partnership strategy
Memories of Chocolate Cake originated as a long-form narrative project exploring identity, discipline, and recovery through the lens of culinary training and personal experience. Over time, the project expanded beyond a manuscript into a broader cultural platform — encompassing publishing, visual identity, and community engagement.
The opportunity was to translate an intimate narrative into a cohesive public-facing experience that could resonate beyond traditional memoir audiences.
Challenge
Translate a personal narrative into a culturally resonant project
Develop a cohesive identity across editorial, visual, and experiential formats
Build audience and distribution independently
Position the work within conversations around identity, body image, and creative practice
Number One New Release at launch. 40+ First-day sales. 34 verified 4-5 star reviews. International readership across US, UK, AU, FR, ES.
Retail placement and ongoing partnerships.
Outcome
The project established a distinct narrative platform, demonstrating the viability of a self-directed publishing and experiential model. The launch generated early sales traction, strong reader engagement, and placement within independent bookstores, while contributing to broader cultural conversations around identity, body image, and creative practice — positioning personal narrative as a framework for collective reflection and shared experience.
The project received early recognition across cultural and industry audiences, including support from The Gut Co, a feature in VoyageLA, and recognition from a range of cultural figures including chefs, models, and an LA Times contributor. The work has also been featured by book influencers and adopted by independent Los Angeles bookstores, with additional retail and brand partnerships currently in development.
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On Hunger
I’ve written about what it’s like to live with an eating disorder as a shadow as I believe it is not something that vanishes, but something that shifts position depending on the light. I’ve written about the gut–brain connection, not as a trend or a wellness catchphrase, but as a lived negotiation: the constant interpretation of signals I was once taught to override. I’ve even tried, at times, to think about how I might dissuade others from walking this path, though experience has taught me how futile that can be. People always do what they are compelled to do. Desire has never been logical.
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Gut - Brain Connection
On the first day I was admitted to the hospital for my ED, I sat before half a dozen strangers—therapists, nurses, physicians, other patients. What struck me was that of all the people I met, none was the dietician. I only spoke to her twice during the entire treatment, both times while passing through the hall. Meanwhile, I met with a psychiatrist every week. Each time, he offered me pills, but I never accepted. From where I sat, the whole course of my treatment seemed designed to fix my head before anyone had asked how I felt when I ate.
