| Putting together all those wonderful recipes that | | | | accounting practices solid? Can you get |
| were handed down to you through generations of | | | | references from other authors if you are offered |
| family can be a satisfying accomplishment. | | | | a contract? Can you communicate easily with |
| There are several reasons for wanting to create | | | | them or are they difficult to reach? |
| a cookbook. | | | | New authors have a lot of questions, is your |
| 1. Passing on a bit of family history to future | | | | publisher/editor offering answers? |
| generations. | | | | 5. Consider POD- Print on Demand? |
| 2. Giving your newly married children a feeling of | | | | 6. Consider a digital format, and ebook, instead of |
| home cooking. | | | | the traditional printed version. |
| 3. Teaching your new college age children how to | | | | 7. Think about marketing strategies - blogs, |
| be self-sufficient and cook the foods they grew | | | | website, advertisements, publicity, speaking |
| up with. | | | | engagements, cooking demonstrations, interviews, |
| 4. As a gift for family and friends. | | | | going on the road for book signings. |
| 5. To share (and show-off) your cooking | | | | 8. Prepare a budget that you can work with and |
| specialties and expertise. | | | | keep track of all expenditures. If you are getting |
| 6. For Profit! | | | | published, this wonderful hobby of yours now |
| The first four reasons carry an emotional and | | | | becomes a business. |
| sentimental cover to them. Wanting to share | | | | There are indeed many things to think about |
| yourself with your loved ones. A labor of love. | | | | before getting published. |
| Reasons 5 and 6 are a little more involved. The | | | | Desire and determination (as well as a thick hide) |
| light-heartedness and sentimentality take the | | | | play a major role in seeing your project to |
| back-burner (so to speak). | | | | completion. Do not let the initial rejection slips, |
| These reasons involve the kind of research and | | | | waning support, and editorial demands of re-writes |
| preparation that the previous four did not in order | | | | dampen your spirit. If you have a dream of |
| to properly establish the steps needed to get | | | | getting your cookbook published --- GO FOR IT! |
| your work published. | | | | But prepare yourself in all aspects of the process |
| With these, you will need to: | | | | before taking each step and certainly before |
| 1. Consider what degree of exposure you would | | | | signing anything (like a contract). |
| like your book to have. | | | | Read, study and learn all you can prior to getting |
| 2. Determine if your work will be self-published | | | | published. The more knowledgeable you make |
| and self-marketed. | | | | yourself, the better-informed decisions you can |
| 3. Look for a publisher(s) to whom you can send | | | | make. |
| book proposals. | | | | If you can think it, you can do it. My best wishes |
| 4. Research publisher's work ethics: Do they do | | | | to you. |
| any promotions on your behalf? Are their | | | | |