Q & A: How Do I Write a Cookbook Proposal that Attracts Agents and Publishers?
Agents and publishers love well-written cookbook proposals. They want to read proposals that are unforgettable and read about aspiring authors who have excitement and passion for a topic. This is attractive! The nuts and bolts of a cookbook proposal are pretty standard. Think of a cookbook proposal as a business
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Cookbook Expert Interview Series: Cameron Ludwick: Trust Your Publisher
I’ve known Cameron for several years. She worked for my first publisher, the University Press of Kentucky. When I thought of someone to interview for this expert series, Cameron came to mind. She’s everything I imagine a book publicist to be: always looking for creative ways to get “free” promotion
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Mastermind Groups
When I graduated from chef school, one of the first books I read was Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I can remember the night I visited the local bookstore, most probably to look at the cookbook section, but found myself in the Business and Money section of the
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Cookbook and Food Writing Links Vol. 10
INSPIRATION I’ve always loved Nora Ephron. Her book, I Feel Bad About My Neck, is too relate-able. I also love lists so was drawn to this list, written by Nora, who sadly died in 2006, but her list here is a poignant reminder of life, and what’s to be missed (or
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Focus List and Ignore List
In 2009, Peter Bregman wrote an article for the Harvard Business Review called Two Lists You Should Look at Every Morning. Even though he wrote the article 7 years ago, the content rings true. In Bregman’s article, he encourages readers to create two lists: Your Focus List and Your Ignore List.
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Cookbook Expert Interview Series: Dianne Jacob: Have Something New To Say That Will Appeal To A Large Audience
Author and writing coach Dianne Jacob is considered a go-to expert for food writers. Both her book, Will Write for Food, and her blog, are considered go-to resources for those who want to dip their toes in the world of food writing. As a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, I
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5 Reasons Writing A Cookbook Is Easier Than Maintaining A Food Blog
I’ve often said that it has been easier for me to write a cookbook than to maintain a food blog. I say this because I’m writing my 3rd and 4th traditionally published cookbooks and have never had a food blog. Maybe you want to write a cookbook, but you think
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Cookbook and Food Writing Links Vol. 9
Cookbook Writing Cookbook authors have routines they follow to help them focus and write their manuscripts. Let’s take a look at the role of music in the manuscript development of some award-winning cookbook authors. What’s it like to write a fully illustrated and handwritten cookbook in this day and age
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5 Questions Every Cookbook Author Must Answer
Imagine if you knew five questions that every editor, publisher, marketer, reviewer, and reader of your book would love to know your answers to. Imagine that if you took the time to answer these questions before you write your book, how much more on target the finished proposal and book
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Cookbook Author Interview: Lauren Harris-Pincus: Write And Fix It Later
A few years ago, I met Lauren virtually through a conversation about her desire to write a cookbook. This is one of the things I love about taking with aspiring cookbook authors. I get to hear about their dream of writing a cookbook and help them see the possibility. Lauren
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Time Management Tips
In working with my cookbook coaching clients, mastermind groups, and on my own projects, I realize the importance of planning my time to get the most out of my week. I’ve always had a pretty consistent pattern for activities do on a weekly basis, but use care when planning tasks for work,
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Cookbook and Food Writing Links Vol. 8
Writing Routines If you’ve followed me here for a while, then you maybe know by now that I live by my routines. I don’t die by them, meaning I try not to get too hung-up if something doesn’t go as planned, but the routines I have in place free me
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