A Publisher Asked Me to Write a Cookbook, Now What?
Photo by Elevae
The hardest part of your cookbook process is out of the way: A publisher reached out to you about writing a book. You’ve met with some members of their team, and they’re flipping out about your idea. Huzzah!
As wild as it may sound, publishers, big and small, are constantly on the prowl for new ideas. It’s their job to develop promising talent, so it’s not the craziest thing to have a publisher reach out to you directly.
But OMG. Now, what do you do?
First things first: Breathe.
There are probably a bunch of questions you have about the entire process, and you’re thinking that you’re completely out of your depth. Spoiler alert: We all are. But here are a few places to begin, so you feel empowered about your short and long-term goals with whatever decision you make. Let’s go.
Take a Beat
It’s tempting to jump at the first (or second) offer thrown at you because you’re afraid of an opportunity slipping away. And while wooing you is part of the process, pressuring you is not. Good publishers want to build a long-term relationship with you. So, they’ll understand you want to think about their offer.
Publishing isn’t the fast-paced game most food writers think it is. Apart from a few pivotal deadlines, the book publishing process is slow. Editors are looking at least two years out. So, use this to your advantage and give yourself space to process what they’ve put on the table.
If you don’t have a cookbook proposal already, you can find the essentials here. And if you’ve been working on one, revisit it. Some publishers will want a completed proposal or others may be okay with a verbal understanding of what your book is. But a book proposal is really your guiding light on a very rocky path. It’s easy for projects to take sharp turns. So, mapping out exactly what your book is and isn’t will save you a lot of head and heartaches later on—even if it’s for your eyes only.
Check the Vibe (and Your Instincts)
Stylist and entrepreneur, Hilary Rushford, ignored her own gut feelings about the publisher for her first book deal. The team was fan-girling over her and offered her the largest advance, but other publishers had more in-depth discussions with her, leaving her feeling like they “got” her. But love bombing and money can easily overtake any hesitation you have.
When people are excited about your work, it’s hard to not fly away with their enthusiasm. This cookbook is your champagne-popping-confetti-everywhere dream come true, so, shouldn’t you go with the people who shout your praises the most?
Not so fast.
Just like a romantic partner who plans oh-so-fancy dinners in the beginning and whispers Hallmark-esque nothings in your ear, you don’t want a publishing team who’s giving you unearned admiration. Sure, people can respect the work you’ve done and what you’ve built, but you also want to work with a team who respects you enough to be straight-up with you.
And you also want to make sure there’s a good working vibe there. You’ll work long hours, days, months, and years with your publishing team, so they should be people who you feel safe to create with. If you’re scared to bring up issues or to ask questions, that’s a red flag.
If something feels off, trust your instincts and know you don’t have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Do Your Research
Even if you’ve never written a cookbook before, you probably have friends or colleagues who would be happy to share their personal experiences. Reach out and ask them if they have 15-20 minutes to chat. This works too for any cold emails or DMs you send to authors who’ve worked with the publisher who’s reached out to you. Hearing a few different stories can help you figure out what your ideal working situation is.
Another standout resource for publishing questions is Jane Friedman. Every year, she updates her Key Book Publishing Paths guide, which walks you through the different types of publishers and includes the top houses for each. It includes how they typically pay people, what the selling process looks like, who they work with, and what the value is for you as an author.
And if you’re sent an offer and are curious about your advance being good or not, Publisher’s Marketplace categorizes deals as:
Nice: $1 - 49,999
Very Nice: $50,000 - $99,000
Good: $100,000 - $250,000
Significant: $251, 000 - $499,000
Major: $500,000 and up
You can also snag a Publisher’s Marketplace Quick Pass for $10/day, so you can research additional deals with publishers and agents to have a better understanding of the market. There are lots of factors that go into book deals, but this can at least give you an idea of what people are actually getting paid. If there’s an agent who you know or respect, they may even be able to look over the contract to tell you whether or not it’s a good deal. The more information you have about how deals and publishers work, the more confident you can be moving forward (or not).
Where to Go Next
There’s only so much you can do on your own and only so much advice you can take from your industry friends. After you’ve taken a beat, checked the vibe (and your instincts) and done your research, you need someone who can help you figure out what the next best step is for you.
Your cookbook idea is noteworthy. So, it’s only fitting to find a partner who will guide you in the right direction for the project that’s been haunting your daydreams. Sign up for my coaching waitlist here, and let’s craft a plan tailored made for you.
