Isn’t it funny how when we google something all rules of grammar go out the window?
In the nebulous phase of this project, I googled so many variations of “writing cookbook how” or, “how start writing again” or my favorite, “cookbook writing HELP”.
Reedsy Learning
In one of my runaway googling rambles, I found Reedsy Learning, which offers free email courses on topics such as How to Craft a Killer Short Story or How to Plot a Novel or (exactly what I was looking for) How to Turn Your Cookbook Idea into a Reality!
Laura Gladwin, a non-fiction editor and writer (who previously worked as a commissioning editor at Phaidon Press) teaches the course. She has worked with some of my favorite cookbook authors include Fuchsia Dunlop and Rene Redzepi! I signed up for this 10-day email course immediately. Also, I am all about that $FREE.99.
How to Turn Your Cookbook Idea into a Reality
Each day’s email included thoughtful guiding questions and specific action items to complete. She also provided suggested readings at the end of each email, which helped me start curating a reading list of articles, books, etc. for my background research. The email was short enough I could read it during my morning commute (Not having to drive is all kinds of amazing, despite the hate out there for metro. I am here for public transportation until teleportation becomes a viable form of travel!).
I’d review the email in the PM and add action items to my “to do” list and add the suggested readings to my master reading list. While Gladwin recommended some greats from the cookbook canon, my biggest gripe with her selections are the same gripes I have with the general literary canon, it’s almost entirely white. Let’s do better.
At the end of the 10-day course I could roughly estimate how much time this entire project might take (ideally, 30 months). One of the most helpful parts of the course addressed how to write a cookbook proposal, including key elements and basic do’s/don’ts. Putting together a cookbook proposal feels like the next big step in moving this project forward.
Over the next few months I’ll be working through each part of the course and considering both the big picture and detail-oriented questions like:
What is my books purpose? What cooking problem will my book solve? What new insights am I bringing to people’s lives in the kitchen? What kind of book is it? Who is my audience and what is their cooking skill level? What recipes will I include? Why write a cookbook at all? Why now and why me?
The list above isn’t comprehensive, but what questions do you think I should be asking?
While having more questions than answers feels like I’m getting further away from my goal, I think asking the right questions and finding the answers to them will help me continually refine the project’s purpose and direction.
加油!
Marsha
@princesshungry
This Week’s Specials
Here are my top 5 faveee food, writing, or food-writing pieces for the week. Occasional basketball or yoga appearances.
How to Write Your Own Cookbook by David Lebovitz (14 min)
Ten cookbook writing tips, cookbook/recipe writing handbooks, and a plethora of links to first-time cookbook author experiences.
Samin Nosrat Is the Editor for the 2019 ‘Best American Food Writing’ Book by Bridget Hallinan (2 min)
Featuring several of my favorite food writers including Mayukh Sen, Priya Krishna, and Soleil Ho. Release date, Oct. 1, 2019. Also, if I had to recommend just one cookbook, it would unquestionably be Samin’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Don’t @ me.
'Crazy Rich Asians' Co-Writer Exits Sequel Amid Pay Disparity Dispute (Exclusive) by Rebecca Sun (3 min)
WTF.
30 Times People Encountered Hilariously Terrible Kitchen Designs (2 min)
Simultaneously makes me want to laugh, cry, and scream.
It Will Be Empowering: An Interview with David Mura, Author of A Stranger’s Journey; Race, Identity, and Narrative Craft in Writing by Ruth Joffre (21 min)
A Stranger’s Journey: Race, Identity, and Narrative Craft in Writing was one of two books I purchased at this year’s Smithsonian Asian American Literature Festival because of the impact of David Mura’s lecture. He explores two central themes in his book, 1) Question of identity/exploring one’s identity and place in the world and 2) How one tells the story (fiction, memoir, etc.) and the tools necessary to create the narrative. I’ve just started reading the book and may write up a book review if anyone is interested. Lmk.
Can you guess where I’m eating in this photo? Two words. :P