Writing Your Own Cookbook

Find something else or work within that genre.

There are thousands of cookbooks that come out every year. Think about what makes you buy the ones you buy? Would your book appeal to you? Is this the kind of book you could see in a bookstore? Right now, we're in the middle of a Food Network blitz. If you don't believe me, head over to your local Border's or Barnes and Noble and gaze out at all the happy grins looking back at you.

Like it or not, that's what's out there and that's what people are buying. If they weren't, no one would be selling them. Big-box bookstores exist to make money and they're trying to sell books so most likely, 'One Hundred Recipes from Tammy Terrific' can't compete with 'One Hundred Meals from Rachel Ray'. Since they only have limited space, you need to give them a reason to carry your particular book. How is yours going to compete?

One way is to evaluate cooking trends. Scope Amazon and cookware shops. Is there a new item on the horizon that might need a cookbook to be sold alongside, like a panini-grill, a home smoker, a blow torch, or an ice cream maker? Are there any foods coming down the pipeline that might need recipes or merit further explanation? Soy, gluten-free, whole grains, and home-cooking are all popular right now. But what's next? Hamburgers? Ceviche? Organic? A low-protein diet?

What's the next big thing?

3. Find An Agent

While it's not imperative to have an agent, most editors and publishers give top-priority to proposals submitted by an agent. One editor told me she gets twenty proposals a day and frankly, doesn't have the time to even look at most of them let alone respond. The best way to find an agent is to look at cookbooks that you like, check the acknowledgements, and take note of the agent. Then do some research to contact them with your proposal.

A good agent knows exactly where to send your proposal and is on good terms with the top editors. If an agent accepts to take you on, that means they can sell it or will try to, since no one wants to push something they don't believe in. You may get passed over by an agent for no apparent reason (trust me on that one...) as they may have a similar proposal on their docket or another author working in the same genre. (Same with editors. You may simply get rejected based on the fact they have a book in print or in the pipeline on the same subject.)

Done right, with the help of an agent, your proposal can land on an editors desk the next day. A good agent will also help a writer shape that proposal and they handle on the contractual and legalese. Not that they have a crystal-ball into the future, but they do have their fingers on what's selling and what's not. As mentioned, you can sell a proposal without an agent but a good one will understand your concept and work on your behalf to get you're your book sold. Finding an agent is one crucial part of the puzzle and in my opinion, one that's important.

4. The Proposal

When I tell people I spent around eight months just working on just the proposal for my ice cream book, they're shocked. But editors want to see a full and clear vision of what you're going to write about. It's especially true for a first-time author, but even for someone who's written several books. Each book is a brand new project and requires a fresh start. And often the editors have to answer to higher-ups in marketing, sales, etc...and don't, in general, have the last word.

Included in the proposal should be extensive samples of content, the tables of contents, recipe list and sample recipes if applicable, as well as a winning biography of you. And very importantly, a plan for how the book will sell once its published. Including as much as possible in there is a good idea, perhaps a sample chapter or two. But be careful: One editor told me she got a very good proposal but it was accompanied by some homemade cupcakes which were terrible and she found them, half-eaten, tossed in the trash of the employee break room where she left them for the staff.
Not a good sign.

So most important: this is the time to give this your very best shot. Be concise and self-critical, and only send in your best effort. Editors are simply too busy to take the time to sift through a lot of material so your proposal should be, as they say, a 'killer app'.

5. Give It Time

From the time you start writing down ideas, the proposal is written, the book sold, the book written and edited, and then printed and released, most books take much longer to come to fruition than people imagine. Plan on at least two years from the moment you start your quest until you see something tangible.

Most books have a one year lead time, which means you generally have a year to write the book. Then it can take another year to edit, re-test recipes, design and photograph the book. Finally, another year passes before the book is on the shelves.

6. Paying For It

Although it sounds tempting to live off your writing, for most writers, it ain't their ship coming in. According to Dianne Jacob, in Will Write For Food, in her survey she notes a first-time author can expect to get a $5k-$25k advance.

But even if you get, let's say, $50k, that might sound like a lot of money. So figure your agent gets 15%, the IRS gets 27%, plus figure $5k in expenses like food costs, printer cartridges (why are those things so darn expensive?), and equipment. And if you're anything like me, you'll go through a lot of pajama bottoms too, the preferred 'uniform' of those who work at home. So that's approximately $25,000 for a good 1-2 years of full-time work.

Most people who write books do something else to supplement their income: teach classes, lead tours, consult, have a restaurant or go to real jobs where they have to get dressed and leave the house for each day. Others marry rich.

I'm not kidding.

7. Going Inside and Outside Your Blog

If you have a blog, use your blog to practice and refine what you do. Since anyone can start a blog, use yours to go out on a limb and write something outside your comfort zone.

If you're used to writing recipes, for example, do a review of a product, visit a food producer, conduct an interview—whatever. Keep a theme going, but challenge yourself on occasion. If you want, keep your blog private and just use it for practice. Very few writers just start tapping a keyboard, or pick up a pen, and write something magnificent. I'm the exception. (Just kidding!) Most of good writing is editing. Step away, then come back to your writing. Or ask a friend who has good sensibilities, that you respect, to read what you wrote and get some feedback.

Another option is to use a writing coach. This can be money well spent if they get you motivated to write the book you want to write.

Important: If you're going to ask someone for help, you should thank them properly. A lot of people give advice freely and graciously; I can't even begin to thank those who helped me enough. But do take the time and have the courtesy to acknowledge the assistance of others. It'll come back to you in spades and you'll gain the respect and trust of others for acknowledging their contribution to your success.

8. Sell It

It all comes down to selling. There's lots of great ideas for cookbooks out there, but if you want to do a book, you need to have an idea that's salable since most publishing houses are now owned by larger, global media corporations who are looking at the bottom line. But there are independents still out there that do superb cookbooks. See what's out there, look at what publishing houses are releasing and what people are buying. Differentiate yourself from the pack if necessary, or go with the flow.

Say your book is all about making great salads. Great! Does the world need another book of salads? No. Do you have something extra to offer? Is there something special about your salads that make them different? Are you using a new product or vegetable to make those salads? If you do, that could be your hook.

Italian cooking is another popular topic. You may have a lot of great pasta recipes. But how does that make you different from the multitude of already-published Italian cooking authors, like Faith Willinger or Marcella Hazan? Find what makes you different from the rest of the pack. Is it your take on it? Is it your personality? Are there techniques that are groundbreaking or truly exception that you can share?

9. Do It Yourself

If you want to write a book just for the fun of it, or to sell, there's several places online to do-it-yourself and that can be a lot of fun. Lulu.com offers an inexpensive way to self-publish and there are others (see links below). You don't need to go through a traditional publisher and you have complete control over every aspect of the book. One critical aspect is publicity. You won't have a publishing house behind you pushing your book and making media contacts so you'll need to take that on yourself. Still, no one's as concerned about your book as you, and there are many self-published authors that sell tons of books on their own.

10. Do You Click?

In these cost-conscious times, if you have photographic skills, that can be a huge plus. Cookbook photography and styling is very expensive, costing nearly $1k per photo. So imagine the budget for a book with fifty, full-color professional photos. (And often the price of the book reflects that.)

If you are a good photographer, or are willing to learn, that can work to your advantage nowadays. If you can do a good job and save the publisher some money, that just might be a major plus in your favor during these cash-strapped times. Include samples in your proposal, but make sure they're the best you're capable of doing.

Lastly, don't be discouraged.

Julia Child was rejected by almost everyone because Mastering the Art of French Cooking wasn't considered salable. Later in life, another of her books that was turned down became a huge success. The folks who wrote The Silver Palate Cookbook came up with the idea over drinks at home one night and had no idea what they were doing. But they took a risk, worked hard, and it paid off: They got the book they wanted, it met with great success, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This is just a general overview and there's lots more to consider if you want to write a cookbook. But I hope these questions and suggestions give you a good introduction to the process. Below are places for further reading on the subject...

Before You Write that Cookbook by editor Susan Friedland.

Write Your Own Cookbook: Self-publishing tips from author Heidi Swanson.

Gina Trapani of Lifehacker explain how to Turn Your Blog Into a Book, Part I (Part 2)

Chronicle Books very informative submission guidelines as well as those from Ten Speed Press.

Food writing coach Antonia Allegra.

Tips for Turning your blog into a book.

Marcy Goldman at Betterbaking.com talks about what went into writing one of her books.

Adam Roberts posts How to write about food.

Media Bistro provides information and a forum for authors and writers pitching ideas.

Lara at Still Life With offers lots of food photography advice for non-professionals. Be sure to check tips from Heidi, Matt, Pixar's Sharon Calahan and Elise as well.

Read how one man's book became a #1 bestseller—even though it was turned down by 13 out of 14 publishers.

Questions & Answers with Dianne Jacob, writing coach and editor, about writing a cookbook. (And Dianne offers food writing workshops as well.)

Lulu.com and iUniverse both offer self-publishing and distribution options.

Some tools and resources I use personally and recommend for budding food writers.