112: Writing A Cookbook For Kids With Priya Krishna Everything Cookbooks podcast

48:22

Kate and Kristin discuss all things hybrid publishing with Vasudha Viswanath, the author of The Vegetarian Reset. Vasudha shares a quick rundown of the typical routes of publishing and why she chose to go down the hybrid path. She talks about the pitching process, what partnership publishers cover (and don't), the recipe development steps and how she assembled her creative and publicity team. She describes the part her book plays in her business strategy and her experience learning as she goes in the cookbook community. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Vasudha Viswanath The Vegetarian Reset Substack: We Ate Well Instagram The Collective Book Studio Episode 40: Snackable Bakes with Jessie Sheehan Episode 47: Self-Publishing Cookbooks with Nick Fauchald Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing IngramSpark 52 Shabbats by Faith Kramer Reedsy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Will Write for Food by Dianne Jacob…

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04: Let’s Make a Cookbook Deal [re-release] 34:00

10 days ago34:00

34:00

Andrea leads today's chat about selling a cookbook and all the nitty gritty elements that go into it. Kristin, Molly and Kate share some of their own insights and lessons learned about advances, royalties, contract negotiation, and how to keep the right amount of tension there. They discuss how to gauge the value of your idea, morality clauses and what to look out for when looking over a contract. Finally, they answer a listener SOS and Kate gets the lowdown on the angst of butter measurement. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions: An Agent Answers: “What Should I Expect for a Cookbook Advance?” Would You Write a Cookbook for Next to Nothing? by Priya Krishna The Trouble with Big Deals , by Brooke Warner “9 Questions For When A Book Publisher Calls” How to Make Sure Your Cookbook Deal Is Worth It , by Sonya Chopra The Hidden Risks of Writing a Cookbook by Sierra Tishgart Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show…

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03: Cookbook Proposal Writing Tips [re-release] 43:54

17 days ago43:54

43:54

Kristin leads today's discussion all about the cookbook proposal, sharing her own first experience with the process. Molly, Kate and Andrea each describe their own firsts as well as how they format their more recent versions. They review all of the elements that go into a proposal, the three vital things to highlight, how long the process can take and how a project can morph as it leads into its first draft. Finally, a listener's salt based SOS leads to many strong opinions and some helpful tips. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Heidi Swanson’s blog post on her cookbook proposal process Kate Leahy’s blog post on the elements of a cookbook proposal Katie Parla’s blog post on how to write (and sell) a cookbook proposal Diane Jacob’s website is also a great resources "Recipe into Type" book Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show…

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31: Catch an Agent’s Attention with Sally Ekus [re-release] 40:17

24 days ago40:17

40:17

In this repeat episode, Kate and Kristin talk with literary agent Sally Ekus. A lot has changed in Sally's professional life since we last had her on -- the Ekus Group is now part of the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, and Sally is a senior agent there. What hasn't changed is the great advice she gives in this episode for emerging cookbook writhers. We talk to Sally about her career path, what she brings to the table for her clients and peek into a day in her life. Sally shares how agents help careers, the key items in a query emails and the homework authors should do before reaching out to agents. Finally, she tells us her thoughts on proposal designs, where voice matters most and the one question she urges potential authors to ask themselves before getting started. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions The Ekus Group Instagram Website Submission Requirements Sally Ekus Instagram Self Paced Course: How to Write a Cookbook Facebook group: How to be a Cookbook Author Association of American Literary Agents Mentorship Program Women's Media Group The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook First Generation Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show…

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02: Do You Need an Agent [re-release] 48:56

4 weeks ago48:56

48:56

Molly starts out today's episode with an interview with Rica Allannic, a literary agent with editorial experience. Then, Kristin and Kate share how they've navigated their own agent relationships while Andrea explains how she works without one. We get into the many roles of an agent, how to find the right one and some things to consider at various stages of a cookbook author's career. Finally, Andrea shares a recipe writing tip and Kate lets us know her recent favorite cookbook. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Rica Allannic Rica Allannic on IG David Black Literary Agency Publisher Marketplace - “Quick Pass” link for $10 day pass IACP membership for networking The Lisa Ekus Group Equity at the Table Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Ruffage by Abra Berens…

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54: Cookbook Ideas: Where it all begins [re-release] 44:09

5 weeks ago44:09

44:09

Molly, Kristin, Kate and Andrea talk about the idea behind the cookbook. After sharing some shelved ideas of their own, they workshop submissions from listeners to highlight considerations on topic, marketability, expertise and "the hook" for each premise. They brainstorm and discuss structural considerations, format, audience appeal and comp titles to give listeners insights into the vital first step of the book creation process. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Episode 1: Should You Write a Cookbook? Episode 2: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent? with Rica Allannic Heidi Swanson I’ve Made Everything from Gnocchi to Mapo Tofu in My Camper Van’s Kitchen By Ali Slagle Episode 50: Telling Your Story in a Chef Cookbook with Vishwesh Bhatt Get Saucy The Pleasures of Cooking for One Savoring Spices and Herbs Article about the Ski Town Aprés Ski Cookbook success Association for Dressing and Sauces Cooking for One by Judith Jones Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Good & Cheap by Leanne Brown Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry The New Sugar & Spice by Samantha Seneviratne Salad for President by Julia Sherman Priya's Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids by Priya Krishna…

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121: The Burnout Episode 39:27

6 weeks ago39:27

39:27

We've noticed that 'burnout' is seeming more and more prevalent these days so Kate, Kristin, Molly and Andrea are using the final episode of Season 6 to speak all about it. They discuss how to identify it, how it manifests for each of them and share some ideas on what to do about it. They speak about how the blending of life and career as freelancers can exacerbate feelings of constantly being 'on', perfectionism and excessive people pleasing along with the pressure to constantly be creating content. They talk about some of the ways they notice burnout looming and the 'rebellious' activities, tips and resources they use to combat it. See you in the Spring for Season 7! Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions I was a bestselling recipe writer - then burnout killed my appetite for food, and life. This is how I found my way back by Meera Sodha On Politics of Attention in 2025 by Alicia Kennedy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman…

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120: The Realities of Photographing Cookbooks with Clay Williams 43:25

7 weeks ago43:25

43:25

Kristin and Molly speak with photographer Clay Williams about the financial realities and logistics around cookbook photography. Clay shares what he wishes authors knew before embarking on the photography portion of their book and what spurred his viral Thread about the finances behind photoshoots. He speaks about assuming the role of project manager, unexpected expenses, his typical workflow and the essential roles on a set. He shares why he continues to be interested in cookbook photography, his artistic approach to projects and what has and hasn't changed about the industry since he started. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Clay Williams Website Instagram The Thread that started it all Crystal Wahpahpeh Black Food Folks Episode 41: Writing a Bestselling Cookbook in Your 80s with Emily Meggett and Kayla Stewart Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show My America by Kwame Onwuachi Roots, Heart, Soul , by Todd Richards Gullah Geechee Home Cooking by Miss Emily Meggett Vegan Soulicious: Plant-Based Island Cooking by Charlise Rockwood…

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119: Jenny Rosenstrach on Cookbooks That Chronicle Family Life 41:34

8 weeks ago41:34

41:34

Molly and Kristen speak with Jenny Rosenstrach about her family focused approach to food writing. She talks about her long running dinner diary, how her first book was a real time project and what went behind the decision to continue working around that theme. She explains why she includes a 'hook' in her recipes and how she landed on her unique recipe structure as well as the idea of a 'text test' for writing instructions. She shares her approach to recipe development, how she's built an audience with her relatable, inviting voice and the reasoning behind her relaxed approach to photography. Finally she tells us the book she will never write and leaves us with a bit of advice for aspiring food writers. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Jenny Rosenstrach Website Instagram Substack Cup of Jo column Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Dinner a Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach Weekday Vegetarians get Simple by Jenny Rosenstrach The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam Sifton That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music…

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118: Nicola Lamb on Writing the Book You Want to Read 52:00

9 weeks ago52:00

52:00

Kate and Kristin speak with Nicola Lamb her debut cookbook, Sift, and writing the book you want to read. Nicola talks about her passion for baking, learning and teaching before diving into the book creation process. She shares the lengthy proposal writing process, working from her Substack and a post-it wall, the importance of trusting your team and the resources she used while writing. She also speaks on the differences in releasing a book in the US versus the UK, some insights into the Americanization of the project and some astute advice for enjoying the everyday process. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Nicola Lamb Website Instagram Kitchen Projects Newsletter Bibliography Episode 74: Crafting a Drinks Book with Danny Childs Episode 102: Lara Hamilton of Book Larder Episode 31: Catch an Agent's Attention with Sally Ekus Episode 94: Insights from Literary Agent Lori Galvin Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Sift by Nicola Lamb Advanced Bread and Pastry by Michel Suas Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee How Baking Works by Paula Figoni…

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117: Joe Yonan on Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking 55:07

10 weeks ago55:07

55:07

Molly and Andrea speak with Joe Yonan, the Food and Dining Editor at the Washington Post, about his new book, Mastering the Art of Plant Based Cooking. As they discuss the idea behind creating an authoritative resource, Joe explains why he wanted to write this particular book and concentrate on this topic as a cuisine instead of a lifestyle choice. He shares why he wanted to shift the narrative around this often polarizing topic and how he used his lifetime of experience and expertise to create it. We get a behind the scenes glimpse into its creation including project management, recipe testing, time management and cover process as well as how he went about creating a consistent voice with multiple contributors. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Joe Yonan Website Instagram Washington Post Column Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking by Joe Yonan Cool Beans by Joe Yonan Eat Your Vegetables by Joe Yonan…

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116: Emily Weinstein on What Makes a Good Recipe 46:13

11 weeks ago46:13

46:13

Kate and Andrea speak with the editor in chief of New York Times Cooking, Emily Weinstein, about all things recipe writing and recipe curation for the new book Easy Weeknight Dinners. They chat about what makes a great recipe, what are missteps, if there is a formula and all the formatting considerations involved in writing recipes. Emily talks about curating this collection, the idea behind the book, avoiding 'dull and dutiful recipes' and why they decided to bring the NYT comment section into print form. Finally, she shares her thoughts on upcoming home cooking trends and a quick tease of future projects. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Emily Weinstein Website Instagram Five Weeknight Dishes Newsletter New York Times Cooking Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Easy Weeknight Dinners by Emily Weinstein The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam Sifton Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz…

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115: Cookbook Trends 35:58

12 weeks ago35:58

35:58

Happy New Year! Molly, Kristin, Kate and Andrea take a look at the past year in cookbooks and share their thoughts on the trends they predict for 2025. They discuss how the pandemic affected the cookbook market, how they see production costs and finances changing and share some insights from editors and agents about what publishers are looking for in 2025 (hint: platform!). They talk about speciality markets, single subject expertise, branded and restaurant books before sharing a few teasers of our upcoming season. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions 110: Sarah Fennel on bringing an online platform to the page Attention Economy Substack The Dinner Plan Podcast Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Champagne by Peter Liem The Bean Book King Arthur Baking Company The Red Boat Fish Sauce Cookbook The Cake Bible Africali Islas Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen: A Cookbook The French Laundry Cookbook Coastal…

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114: Hetal Vasavada on Desi Bakes 49:01

14 weeks ago49:01

49:01

Kate and Molly speak with blogger, writer and MasterChef alum Hetal Vasavada about her atypical career journey. She shares stories and lessons learned from her time on the tv show, how she got around the limits of her contract after it aired and why it was important to foster a community. Hetal talks about the differences between book one and book two, the advice she got during recipe development and how she learned food photography skills to shoot her own books before diving into the design process. She discusses working with the designer, choosing a title, her unique brand of flavor combinations that yields dishes that have minimal effort but maximum payoff and leaves us with a few of her ideas for book number three. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella Hetal Vasavada Website Instagram Would You Write a Cookbook for Next to Nothing? Swasti Creative Milk & Cardamom Linen Collaboration at Kaapus Co. Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Desi Bakes by Hetal Vasavada Milk & Cardamom by Hetal Vasavada…

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113: Food, Romance, and Fiction with Sarah Chamberlain 48:01

15 weeks ago48:01