Book Title:  Finally a Vegan: My Journey to Veganuary and Beyond by Stephanie Jane
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 118 pages
Genre:  Memoir, Food & Cookery, Lifestyle
Publisher:  Self-Published
Release date:   December 2020
Content Rating:  PG 13 + M   Finally A Vegan includes one ‘bl**dy’ (starred out as written) and one slightly-shocking-but-not-graphic reference to a duck farming video.

Stephanie Jane has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. She loves discovering new authors from all around the world and is happiest when engrossed in a compelling novel with tea and cake to hand.

Raised in Sussex, England, Stephanie developed a wanderlust in her late twenties. She spends her time exploring the UK and Western Europe with
her partner, setting out on foot or bicycle from their almost-vintage motorhome, and firmly believes everywhere has something worth seeing if we slow down enough to appreciate its smallest details.

Stephanie has been vegan since 2019 and strives to incorporate zero waste ideals into her life. She enjoys browsing vintage clothing shops and would collect antique kitchenware if she ever again lives in a house with enough space.

Interview

• Did you always want to be a writer?

I was the strange child who enjoyed essay writing at school and I have ever since harboured the idea that I would love to write a book. Previously I’d repeatedly stranded myself mid-story though, ignoring the fact that nonfiction writing actually suits my style far more than fiction. Once I decided on my nonfiction topic, the words flowed and creating Finally A Vegan was unexpectedly joyful.

• What inspired you to write Finally A Vegan?

Having transitioned to veganism myself 18 months earlier, I kept noticing tweets and Facebook posts by people keen to go vegan themselves, but with no real idea where to start. I remembered how overwhelmed I had been initially too. At that time, I had looked for vegan memoirs to read and not found any so I thought sharing my experiences would be helpful for potential and new vegans.

• What do you find most fulfilling about being vegan?

For me, the knowledge that I am genuinely making a positive difference in the world is the most fulfilling part. I used to often feel insignificant and overlooked, but now I start each day from a much higher baseline which is wonderfully empowering. For example, average global statistics suggest that, per person, for each day of vegan living, one animal is saved from an unnaturally short, unpleasant life. So before I even get out of bed, my choice means I can say ‘I did that today’. I might then also sign a successful petition, bake vegan cake for a doubting friend, or connect with a stranger who’s enjoyed my book. I’m motivated to put myself out more, thanks to my veganism.

• What sort of research did you do while writing this book?

Most of my research was wandering down memory lane which was good fun to do. The final book is somewhat different to how I originally envisaged it because I found, as I started writing my perceptions and ideas, many more came tumbling out to join them. I re-read my Veganuary diary several times and was grateful to myself for having blogged so extensively in the few years preceding the challenge because my idea of the timescales involved turned out to be seriously skewed! My transformation, once it started in earnest, was far swifter than I thought.

• What is your favorite vegan recipe?

This is a trickier question than it looks! There’s a great Rory McLeod lyric where he sings ‘My favourite drink is the next one’ and that pretty much sums up how I feel about meals. I do love my food! I guess, if pressed though, I would choose the Lentil Daal recipe from Finally A Vegan. It’s reliable, cheap, easy to cook and wonderfully versatile. Even when I find myself ‘eating daal again’ I don’t feel bored because I can switch up the spice blends or stir in different veggies to ring the changes, or I can serve it in different ways. A jacket potato topped with a generous spoonful of daal is a perfect winter comfort meal.

• There’s a good mix of recipes in Finally A Vegan. Can you share an extra one here?

1. Of course! How about Coronation Chickpea Spread. This sandwich filling recipe was inspired by the Coronation Chicken flavours I used to enjoy when teenage me worked at a delicatessen. For my Chickpea equivalent, I milled half a jar of cooked chickpeas (you could mash them with a fork instead) then mixed in a tsp of Balti Curry Powder, a dollop of Mango Chutney, and a dollop of vegan Mayonnaise. A pinch of salt to taste and it’s done. Ideal with lettuce and tomatoes for a workplace lunch.

Thank you so much for sharing a little bit about yourself and offering us a glimpse into the meals you might prepare.

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