How long did it take for you to write your cookbook manuscript?

From idea (February 2008) to printed book (April 2011) the process of writing my cookbook took a little over 3 years. But the actual time it took to write the typed manuscript was 9 months. That means I spent the better part of 9 months (except for sleeping, eating, family time, and recipe testing) sitting at my computer typing, typing, typing – recipe, stories, and supporting text. This commitment to writing wasn’t always easy. But, I knew if I didn’t sit down to write everyday, the manuscript deadline wouldn’t be met. So, I scheduled time at the computer. I shut down my email, and internet connection, and wrote every day, whether I wanted to or not.

That said, before I wrote the manuscript, I first had to first conceptualize the book I wanted to write. For me this stage was more of a challenge than writing the cookbook manuscript. It took me about 6 months from the time I had the idea of writing a cookbook until I solidified my cookbook concept. A cookbook concept has to be an idea for food, cooking, or the kitchen that people are interested in buying, reading, and more importantly for me, a book that someone will want to cook from. I wanted to write a working cookbook for home cooks using fresh, seasonal ingredients from around Kentucky. It needed to present delicious recipes and compelling reasons for someone to get into their kitchen and actually cook the recipes.

Once I finished developing my concept, I wrote a cookbook proposal. The proposal was submitted to a publisher. After the proposal was accepted by their editorial board, I was offered a contract. This is when I began to write my manuscript. 99% of the time, a cookbook proposal precedes the writing of a cookbook manuscript. If I had written the manuscript first, I would have placed the cart before the horse, so to speak.
Ask any book author, if you are under the gun to write a manuscript, you need to plan (schedule!) time to write – every day. But first, before a cookbook manuscript, it’s necessary to plan (schedule!) time to create a compelling cookbook concept and then write a solid cookbook proposal. The manuscript phase then comes after the cookbook proposal is written.

You can read and learn more from other aspiring cookbook authors on this blog where I interview cookbook authors. I  believe we have much to learn from one another. If you dream of writing your own cookbook, feel free to schedule a complimentary Cookbook Content Clarity Call with me. As a cookbook coach I help aspiring author get their book on the road to publication. 2012 just might be the year for you to write your own cookbook manuscript!