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Publishing a Book
When I first started this blog I wondered…how does one go about writing a book in the first place? I seriously had NO clue and come to find out there are actually a couple of ways you can do it. First of all, you can write a book and self publish it, which is certainly something I considered. But it can actually be kind of expensive because you have to fund the whole project yourself (or raise/borrow money). And believe it or not the expenses involved in writing a cookbook can add up fast…not to mention the time commitment as well!
The second option is of course going the traditional route and working with a publisher. And as I learned most writers use a literary agent as the “middle (wo)man” because they know how to get in touch with different editors and they are the ones that can hopefully land you a deal. I luckily knew a friend of a friend who had recently worked with an agent on her book so with high hopes I got in touch. And after a very brief discussion the agent politely told me I wasn’t quite ready yet to get the attention of a publisher. That was a year and a half ago…I tried not to let it bring me down too much. Good things sometimes start with a little bit of rejection, right? So anyway more than a year had passed when another industry contact ironically pointed me back to this very same agent. It felt like a sign. And as a bonus she was finally ready to work with me!
The whole thing sounds kind of easy up to this point, doesn’t it? Well that’s because I didn’t mention yet that when your agent reaches out to publishers they do so by sending a copy of your book proposal. And a book proposal is no joke. Mine ended up being 83 pages long and it included three sample chapters! As you can imagine it took me many months to put this thing together and then a few additional weeks of back and forth edits with my newfound literary agent.
The Exciting News
Then finally the day had come…my proposal was going to be sent out to a bunch of publishers. I could hardly sleep and was on the edge of my seat dying to know what kind of response we would get (if any!). Waiting to hear back from editors can sometimes take weeks though so sitting by the phone was unfortunately not an option. And as luck would have it I was of course shopping at Target with both of my children when we started to get a response…a few publishers were actually interested! I was smiling so big I am sure I looked like a complete lunatic. What mom is at Target with a super long shopping list, two impatient kids, AND a permasmile so big it’s literally impossible to wipe it off her face? Anyway, I was too distracted to even know what I bought that day. But after we raced home and a few more days of back and forth passed we finally came to an agreement with Harper Collins and their cookbook imprint, William Morrow. (!!!!)
It was a very exciting few days for a regular mom like me. And as soon as the excitement started to die down (just a tad) I began to realize I actually have to write this book now! :) So these days you will find me trying to do my best as I figure out this whole cookbook-writing thing and attempt to manage the additional workload that comes along with it (in addition to my existing family and blog duties). It’s been quite the experience thus far especially for a former corporate event planner turned stay-at-home-mom who was always much better at math than English in school! I never in a million years thought I would one day be an “author” (still sounds weird), but here I am starting a new career path at 35 years old. It just goes to show that you really can figure out “what you want to be when you grow up” at any age.
Book Details and Photos
So…back to the details. The book will be part guidebook and part cookbook including 100 mostly new (not previously on the blog) recipes. And one of the most important aspects of any cookbook is of course the pictures! If you like a lot of pictures then you are in luck because I plan to have a photo with every recipe. And Carrie with Deliciously Organic is the one taking the food pictures for the book! She recommended another photographer, Kelly with Kelly Kate Photography, for the “lifestyle pictures” (i.e. photos of us) so as a result both Carrie and Kelly (and Carrie’s two daughters!) came here for a week earlier this month. It was intense at times, it was fun at times, and it was exhausting at times…but we did it! And literally 5 minutes after we snapped the very last photo my 7-year-old decided to face plant off the swing. I was of course relieved once I realized she was okay, but after seeing her swollen lip and bloody mouth I just couldn’t believe the timing of it all! So anyway, we managed to survive our weeklong photo shoot together and my daughter’s mouth quickly healed shortly thereafter. Injuries aside though, we are honestly so thankful to finally have the big shoot behind us so we can get back to our normal and predictable (and sometimes boring) routine! Here are a few “behind the scenes” photos from our crazy book shoot together:
Still Lots Left to Do
There is still a LOT of work yet to be done including more recipe development, lots of recipe testing, writing, more pictures, the whole book design/layout, tons of editing, and of course the printing (and probably a lot of other details I have yet to discover). And believe it or not the book isn’t scheduled to hit the shelves until next winter because of how long all these things take! I’m working hard though to make this something I am proud of, and I can only hope all of you will find value in the end product! :) Thanks again for all of your support along the way.
Autumn says
That's so exciting! I can't wait for it to be released!
Lisa says
Me too...thank you! :)
Christi says
Congratulations and well-deserved! I look forward to adding it to my collection and hearing about your adventures in the coming year.
Lisa says
Thanks so much! :)
Stephanie Bury says
Awesome news!!!
You said new recipes, what about a book of all your current ones too? If those aren't included I will be printing each one on my own and putting a binder together for myself. :) Congrats!!!
Lisa says
Some current favorite recipes will be included in addition to the new ones! :)
Casey says
Congratulations! I am so excited! I stumbled onto your blog last March and our food has not been the same since (thank goodness). I love your recipes and look forward to your cookbook!
Lisa says
Thank you Casey! :)
Kim says
That is totally awesome! I can't wait till it's out. The whole "whole food" route has been a wonderful journey. My family is almost converted!! LOL Congrat's and may God be with you as you work all this out over the next year.
Lisa says
Thank you Kim!
jaci says
I cant wait to get your book! Ive been following your bloc since last spring and trying to do real food since then...recently started researching gmo's and have decided to go all organic! Its a big struggle time-wise! I work full time at a school have 2 small boys one with special needs and they take breakfast and lunch to school everyday!! I feel like all I do is cook wash plan and buy food! But its worth it...cant wait for all the help I'm sure your book will give me busy like your blot.
Lisa says
Wow...you sound like super mom. Thanks for all of your support!
Kellie says
Congratulations, Lisa! That is so exciting. Can't wait to buy the book! :)
Lisa says
Thank you for that Kellie! :)
heather says
So happy for you, congrats! I can't wait to add this cookbook/guidebook to my collection!
Lisa says
Yay...thank you!! :)
Taylor says
Congratulations! What awesome news for you and your family. You have already given so much to so many strangers with your time and efforts, I am sure this new venture will reach even more people.
Lisa says
Thank you Taylor!
Lisa Maskill says
Wow Lisa that is awesome news!! Congratulations and good luck on the process! I will definitely be buying one of these when it hits the stores! Thank you so much for helping all who read your blog!
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa says
I'm so glad to hear you are interested in buying the book (when it comes out)...thank you for your support! :)
Jamie says
Congratulations!
Lisa says
Thank you!
sixtyone45 says
CONGRATULATIONS!! long time reader and fan! what an exciting adventure! Looking forward to following along through the process. Best, best of luck!
Lisa says
Thank you! I appreciate it.
marci says
How exciting for you and for us! This means new awesome recipes next year! Im a newbie here but started the fall menu today and am super excited to follow along and will be looking forward to your cookbook!
Lisa says
Thank you! And yes I am having to "save" a lot of my new recipes for the book!
Janet says
Congratulations! How awesome!
Lisa says
Thank you!!
Melissa @ My Whole Food Life says
Congrats! Looking forward to the new cookbook!
Lisa says
:)
Rebecca says
I am also excited about this! I will be ordering one as soon as it it finished. Congratulations!
Lisa says
Thank you so much!
BD says
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! How exciting. I am sure it will be great and I can't wait to get a copy!
Lisa says
- Thank you!
Tiffany says
Congratulations! I can't wait to order my copy!!!
Lisa says
:)!
Gaby says
how exciting! Congratulations!
Lisa says
I appreciate it!
Lydia says
I can't wait to get this in my hands! A cookbook full of recipes that I don't have to convert, that will taste good to me AND my kids and that I can feel good about! Yay! Wish it were coming out tomorrow!
Lisa says
Me too! :)
JoAnna from Idaho says
what wonderful news! I am so very happy for you.... and you'll do great because your blog is fabulous! Congratulations!
Lisa says
I really appreciate that! :)
Kristin says
Hooray! I am so excited about your upcoming cookbook! Your whole wheat biscuit recipe has changed my life! :)
Lisa says
LOL - Thank you!
Rhonda B. says
I cannot wait to purchase your cookbook. I was super excited to hear about it because I was just thinking how much easier it would be to just open up a book of your recipes.
Lisa says
I love cookbooks as well...there is no way they'll be outdone by the electronic ones anytime soon!
Erin says
Congratulations! Good for you for being persistent and making your dream come true! I am a new member to the blog and already loving it. I am sure I will love your cookbook too. I am a mom of 8- and 4yo kids, I work 27 hrs a week, my husband works full time... we eat pretty healthy already, but I do find that getting home-cooked, healthy meals on the table 7 days a week, early enough in the evening for the kids to go to bed when they need to, is a struggle. The no-processed-food diet is really the next frontier for us- I want to go there, but I really need lots of blueprint-style meal plan and recipe ideas bc I just don't have enough time in the day to figure it all out myself. This is why I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Thank you so much for paving the way! And good look finishing up your book! Can't wait to buy it.
Lisa says
Thanks for that feedback...I plan on having some really easy and tasty "weeknight dinners" in the book. I've got the busy parent in mind! :)
Amy says
Congrats! I love pointing out your blog to family and friends as a "how-to" resource when they decide to cut back on processed foods, in part, because every recipe that I've tried of yours is delicious and WORKS. I can't wait to have a cookbook in hand to add to my binder of print-outs from your blog!
Lisa says
Thanks for helping me spread the word (and for the congrats)! :)
Marcy says
Congratulations! Interesting details about the process. I can imagine it as a great book for helping typical families to eat more real food.
Lisa says
Thank you for that!
Gloria says
Yay! I am so happy for you. I am non cooking mom of 2(9mth old and an almost 3yr ok). I just started reading your blog and am just amazed.You are the defintion of a super mom in my eyes. I only make my 9mth olds puréed food, now that he can venture into chunkier pureed foods I am hoping to start cooking. Though I feel like I never have enough time. I plan to begin with one plate at a time from meal plan 4 and hoping it will be easy to purée for the little one. Thanks for encouraging me to venture into this. Sincerely - Gloria
Lisa says
You are too kind...thank you! And just hang in there because cooking this way will eventually become your new normal and get easier over time :)
Julie says
Happy Happy Joy Dance from Austin, Texas! You go, Mama. This rocks, congratulations and enjoy the ride!
Lisa says
:) Thank you!
Michelle says
Thanks for sharing all these details! Congratulations!
Lisa says
Glad you enjoyed the post and thank you!
Tiffany says
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. Good luck writing the book and I can't wait until it comes out next year!
Lisa says
Luck is needed so thank you for that...it's a long road ahead from here! :)
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{leah} says
Oh, I am so excited for you!!! And I am excited to get the cookbook and try the new recipes!! {Thank you for adding pictures to all the recipes, I like knowing what my creation will look like when it's done.}
Lisa says
I am a fan of the photos as well...a picture speaks a thousand words! Thank you :)
Heather says
How exciting for you, congratulations! I can't wait to purchase one as well :)
Lisa says
Thank you Heather!
Rachel says
I WILL be buying this cookbook and telling everyone I know to as well! ... So excited to have your new recipes in a book instead of printing them off the computer! Congratulations! You deserve this!
Lisa says
Yay! Love to hear from readers who will be interested in buying the book! Thank you :)
Beth G says
Yay!!! That's so awesome! I can't wait for it to come out!!
Lisa says
Thanks!!
Erin says
Congratulations Lisa! That is a big accomplishment. You are an inspiration!
Lisa says
You are too kind...thank you!!
Robin says
Congratulations!! You must feel like a million bucks!
Lisa says
There have definitely been some "pinch me!" days going on around here! :)
Andi (Estella's Revenge) says
SO SO SO excited for you!!! Will definitely be getting a copy when it's ready to roll out!
Lisa says
Thank you for your support!
Sarah W. says
Congratulations! A few months ago I became addicted to your blog and I visit daily! You have helped me to view "eating healthy" in a whole new way. So excited for you!!
Lisa says
I am so glad the blog has been helpful...and thank you!
Jodi Baughn says
Congrats Lisa! I always tell people that your blog taught me to cook! Your family friendly recipes are so approachable for new "real food" converts, and that's what I loved about them! My husband and kids are grateful as well! Enjoy the process of creating your book!
Lisa says
What a compliment...thank you! :)
Cori says
That is awesome!!! CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on it!!
Lisa says
I feel the same...cannot wait! :)