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A Dash of This, A Pinch of That
By Cynthia Briggs
Writing a cookbook has its delicious rewards, yet it’s one
of the most competitive genres. We all love good flavorful
food, and many of us like to write about culinary wonders.
I wish I could say cookbooks are issued an easy pass in the
publishing business, but it’s just not true.
The first decision to make with your cookbook is whether to
seek a traditional publisher or self-publish. If this is your
first book, talk with more than a few published authors. Apply
ruthless persistence in your research. Writing a book is the
simple part; getting it published, especially through a traditional
publisher, will prove one of the toughest things you’ll ever do.
The beauty of self-publishing is that you call all the shots.
Like owning your own business, the work is rewarding and the
full responsibility sits solely on your shoulders. The self-
publishing choice requires a tenacious adherence to a daily
marketing plan. Self-publishing isn’t for everyone, but one
way to compete with the “big guys” is to create a finished
product that in your eyes is nothing short of perfection.
With my first cookbook, Pork Chop and Applesauce, I stood on
cloud nine when I captured the attention of a literary agent.
A few weeks later my dream crashed when the agent said she wanted
me to write a book about gift baskets. I was crushed realizing
the agent was blown-away by the creativeness of the Pork Chops
presentation basket I’d sent to her office, not by my culinary
and literary talents. Writing and cooking were my two life-long
loves. I called the agent and passed on the offer.
I’d done my homework, so I took Pork Chops to a print-on-demand
publisher. I developed a hook, what I call a “heart point.” This
is when a word, phrase or a recipe tugs at the reader’s heartstrings.
It worked well partnering nostalgic tales and comfort food recipes
in Pork Chops. Most of us can connect a luscious apple dessert with
a sweet moment from our past, so I used a similar strategy with my
second cookbook, Sweet Apple Temptations. I’d found my niche.
When you attempt your own cookbook, keep it simple, and be a
stickler for consistency and clarity in writing recipes and
instructions. If 101 people read your recipe, there are 101
different ways it will be interpreted.
It’s important to narrow your subject, which will better define
the basis of your cookbook. You need a topic that is memorable,
not lost amidst all the chicken, dessert or holiday cookbooks.
For Sweet Apple Temptations I condensed apple recipes to apple
desserts. Another suggestion is to write a theme cookbook,
i.e.,101 slow cooker meals,101 appetizers, or 101 cupcake ideas.
Subject or theme cookbooks have become more appealing to readers
in recent years.
I followed my heart to achieve my writing dreams, and along the
way I inspired many to tie on an apron when introduced to my comfort
food cookbooks. You can do the same by stirring-up your own decadent
batch of “doing what you love the most.”
Bio:
In her books and food columns, Cynthia Briggs is known for her
nostalgic slice-of-life tales and sumptuous down-home recipes.
She speaks for women’s groups, and coaches them on how to make a
profit on their fund raising cookbooks. She enjoys critiquing
cookbooks, and coaching budding authors. Briggs recently moved
to Houston with her husband, Ed, and their dachshund, Leon .
Website:
www.porkchopsandapplesauce.net
E-mail:
info@porkchopsandapplesauce.net
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