Pen Your Passion: The Effortless Guide on How to Write a Cookbook
Photo by Elevae Visuals
You’ve finished your cookbook proposal, found your literary agent, sold your book to a publisher, and now, you’re officially working on your book. After all these years, you finally get to claim you’re an author. But now what?
Most food writers believe that things will be easier once they have a book deal. You no longer have to worry about whether or not people like your book idea. Now, you “just have to write it”—on your own.
No one teaches you how to write a cookbook. You’ll receive vague inspirational advice that’s more frustrating than helpful. When you’re sitting in a room all by yourself, just praying the words will come to you, they don’t appear. Your editor won’t have much contact with you outside of deadlines because there’s a bunch of other writers they’re managed also. You’re on your own.
It’s isolating, not super fun, and becomes a topic you want to avoid because you feel like you’re not doing a good job (whatever that even means). But there are a few things to do to not only keep you on track but sane.
Here’s how to write a cookbook with less tears and more ease.
1. Don’t wait for inspiration
The biggest mistake writers make is assuming they can show up, and the work will just appear. Nope. Absolutely not. This is a surefire way to be frustrated and disappointed.
You’ve spent months on a book proposal. Use it. Plan your writing schedule with it. Add deadlines to your calendar and anticipate needed breaks and vacations. I’ve had clients tell me the book proposal we worked on together helped them so much in the book-writing process because it was so solid. They were clear on what their cookbook was and was not, so they could dive back into their book proposal when they felt off-track. Between the chapter summaries and the sample chapter, you should be able to hit the page immediately. If you need help, look at your overview and the reason why you’re writing this book.
Life doesn’t stop when a book deal arrives. You still have work, outside commitments, errands, celebrations etc. No, you can’t do it all, and anything you can outsource or take off your plate, it’s a good idea. But don’t procrastinate and then become a chaotic mess when your deadline is next week.
There’s a fantasy most writers have: If I could have complete solitude and write at a cabin in the mountains, I’d be so much more productive.
That’s a lie we tell ourselves to feel better about not writing anything. I know because I’ve tried to “save up my inspiration for a writing retreat” and left with absolutely nothing. It’s harder to write well when you haven’t exercised that creative muscle consistently.
You’re not an amateur waiting around for validation. Now, you’re getting paid to complete a job, and that job is to write (and sell) your cookbook. So, show up every day, with or without inspiration, like the professional you are.
2. Make your writing process part of your marketing
A lot of cookbook authors say they’ll worry about marketing once their book is done, and it’s a mistake. Listen, I know it’s a major commitment to write a cookbook, but it also takes a lot of time to market it. And you can’t disappear from your audience to only reappear and ask for them to buy your book.
Well, you can, but you can’t guarantee people will buy it.
Marketing is the buzz you create about yourself, and just like writing, it’s a muscle you need to exercise. So, make it easy on yourself and share about your writing process. How’s recipe development going? What are you learning about yourself? Have you found a good rhythm or are you struggling?
People want to know the behind-the-scenes, and they invest more in you if they feel like you want them to be a part of it. Clients tell me that when their book comes out, they’ll be more active on social media, will finally start their email newsletter, and will collaborate with other food creators.
My response: Turn those “I will” statements into actions now.
You don’t have to do everything at once. But you should make it a practice to talk about yourself and what you’re doing. It only gets easier the more you do it, and you need momentum. Because if you’re not actively showing up for your audience, they’ll forget about you.
If you do nothing else, commit to a weekly newsletter and use social media to send people to that newsletter. You want to create a way for people to stay with you for the long haul, and you can’t count on social media being the only way you can talk to people. It’s also a killer way to keep writing, even when you don’t feel like it.
3. Hire additional support
Book editors used to have more time that they could dedicate to their authors. But now, publishing houses are spread thin and getting thinner. You may not hear from your editor for months in between edits. That’s a lot of time to be alone with your words and thoughts. Plus, no one gives you a manual on how to write a cookbook, so you keep questioning if you’re doing it right.
You see other people talking about the work, and for them, it seems romantic. But for you, it feels like you can’t get started, and you’re completely overwhelmed, so you avoid writing.
Don’t.
You’ve been dreaming about this book, whether it’s your first or fourth. And every time it’s like it’s the first because you have new questions and insecurities. You need a partner, and that’s where a book coach comes in.
A book coach is a project manager, developmental editor, and emotional support guide. It’s not just about getting words on the page; it’s getting your best story down. Most of the time, writers focus so much on how to write a cookbook that they forget why they’re writing it. And those words are buried so deep, you need someone to help you chip away at them.
If you are ready to take the pressure off yourself, grab your spot on my coaching waitlist here. You’ll be the first to know when spots open up again, and you’ll receive email support in the meantime. Let’s make the writing process a little easier. Sign up now.