Thoughts On Cook Book Publishing
Cook books are among the most popular kinds of book being published and sold today. After all, almost everyone likes to eat and many people love cooking. Cook book publishing is consequently, done by most of the bigger book publishers. Of course, many smaller publishers and some individuals do it too. There is just so big a demand and there just so many who are willing to supply the needed material for a cookbook.
What kind of work is involved in cook book publishing? Just right from the get-go, we can safely say that a lot of work is involved for both the author and the publisher. The workload of a self-publishing author then, is not something to be quickly envied.
For a soon-to-be cook book author, the first thing to realize is that cook book publishing is saturated with cook books. A cook book that does not attempt to stand out will not get much attention. Also consider the fact that conservative, all-purpose cook books do not usually catch the attention of many a buyer or cook book publishing firm. Unless of course, you already happen to be famous or have some control over the publishing house. Knowing this, one has to present a different kind of cook book on the market; something that would be different from other titles in cook book publishing. How this is done would be entirely up to the author. Perhaps a different or unusual theme could be used (people love unusual ideas in cook books). Perhaps the writing could be done in a funny or different way. However an author chooses to do it, standing out is very important, especially for first timers.
Then there is of course, a lot of research involved. There should be definitely enough recipes to fill just the right number of pages to make the book a worthwhile purchase for your buyers. And all the recipes should be tested before inclusion in a cook book. This requires the author or authors to have access to a well equipped and well stocked kitchen. Cook book authors do not need to be virtuoso chefs or indeed, all that great when it comes to cooking. Most of what they need to know how to do is to know how to cook by the numbers and know how to write about cooking and food. Research can mean a lot of things- perhaps the author might have to travel, or perhaps sift through old index cards kept by a grandparent. However this is done, it is best to do as much research to ensure your authority, because anyone can get recipes online, and a recipe list does not make a cook book. Next an author has to compile a manuscript based on the research and try to sell it to a company that does cook book publishing. After all aspects of the book are discussed with the publisher and all your hefty royalties (we can all dream) and fees are negotiated, some editing and perhaps re-testing of recipes will ideally take place. Perhaps the firm will get professionals to take photographs of finished recipes. Whatever the case, layout people will attach photographs and what have you on the reworked manuscript. After this is printing and distribution. Authors can do their own cook book publishing as well, to ensure none of those greedy bloodsucking publishers get a piece of their action. This usually involves taking the services of a firm that will allow you to self-publish for a specified run, with the extent of involvement of the author and the contractor in the actual publishing process varying depending on the contract. Of course, cook book publishing can be done online either as an e-book or by only through distribution; in other words the book is put up for sale online. Whatever the methods chosen rest assured, cook book authors will keep on injecting a little bit of spice in our lives.
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