Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Getting Your Own Book Published (But Couldn’t Get Anyone To Tell You)
When I was just starting my writing career, I gobbled up any and all advice from published authors that I could find. I barely managed to cobble enough information together to figure out how to write a cold query letter and land my first agent. The rest I learned on the job.
I owe an enormous debt to the people who helped me along the way–agents, editors, publishers, PR people, other authors, chefs, photographers–and I firmly believe in paying it forward. So to share my knowledge with all of you, here is my collection of everything you ever wanted to know about cookbook publishing (but were afraid to ask… or more likely, didn’t know who to ask, or asked and they wouldn’t answer).
Hopefully it will help you make your own publishing dreams come true!
Here’s how the whole process works:
Step 1: YOU WRITE SOMETHING
This seems fairly obvious, but what you need to write differs depending upon the type of book you want to publish.
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For a work of fiction, you need to have your entire manuscript completed, edited, and ready to go before you even think about contacting an agent.
For a work of non-fiction, like a Cookbook or a Biography, you don’t have to write the entire book first. In fact, you really shouldn’t. Instead, you need to write a book proposal. Have it completed, edited, and ready to go before you even think about contacting an agent.
Step 2: YOU GET AN AGENT
Yes, people are self publishing. You don’t need an agent to do that, but I’d still recommend getting one if you can. Yes, you can submit your work directly to publishers sometimes, but I highly recommend against that for a couple big reasons, mainly because you aren’t protected. (Read “Why You (Really, Really) Need An Agent” to see why.) Once you have an agent, they’ll not only sell your work to publishers (and then pop the champagne!), they’ll also bring work to you. It’s a win-win.
So that’s it! Just two steps! You have to do them correctly though. Publishing isn’t as much a competitive world as it is a crowded one. Everyone on the planet thinks they can write well. The truth is, not everyone can, but lots and lots of people try.
Now for the secrets to making sure your submission is spectacular and stands out from the crowd:
Good luck! I have the utmost faith in you!
Love,
H
June 9, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Heather, thank you so much for this information. I’ve been told by several people in my life that I should write a book. Although, mine will not be a cook book it will be my story of survival. Still, the information and advice you’ve given here is priceless, and much needed. The last person to tell me to write a book was my therapist. She was amazed with my story and stated, ” Every once in a while someone like you comes along, and you are a mystery to the people in my line of work. We’re not sure how you’re able to turn out normal after what you’ve survived.” She then asked me if I ever considered writing a book. Her comments stuck with me that day and when I got home I called my husband and told him, for the first time in my life I’m actually considering it. I asked him if he thought I was crazy. I’ve never written anything in my life that would be considered serious. I’m a Mother and wife who helps my husband run his small business. So that day I googled, ” How to write a book and get it published” I was immediately discouraged and confused. My next thought was there has to be someone out there that has a blog or something with advise. Maybe I will call my Auntie who is a writer. It ended there 4 months ago. Today I came across your interview on Allabouttrh.com and saw the link to this article. I’m excited again and want to thank you. I can see why Teresa insisted you be involved with her book. Your a very smart woman and you’ve just gained a loyal fan in me. I’ve purchased all of Teresa’s books and they are all lovely, funny, full of her personality and well written. Thank you again Heather and when my book is published you will be the first to get a copy.
June 10, 2013 at 1:57 am
Good luck! I can tell from your passion that you will write a great book! 🙂
June 13, 2013 at 9:40 am
Hi Heather,
Thank you very much for this advice. I have written a children’s story that I would love to get published. I am stuck right now on getting it illustrated so that I could self publish the story. I don’t have a lot of money to invest in it.
I am looking forward to your how to get an agent link! I have read that with children’s books, you should never submit them illustrated. Do you agree with that?
Thank you,
Nicole
June 13, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Hi Nicole! Yes, it’s true that publishers don’t like packages of authors and illustrators; they like to pair you up themselves. They have stables of illustrators they work with. That said, you’re right, if you’re going to self-publish, you need illustrations! Thankfully there are tons of ways to find illustrators online now. I found some in the past on Etsy. Or you could try http://www.hireanillustrator.com. As far as being able to afford one, for self-publishing you might want to think about a profit-sharing deal with the illustrator so you don’t have any upfront costs. Working on the Agent section today! 🙂
October 7, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Please tell Teresa G her fans are waiting for her to get out so we can start a petition to get her a cooking reality show that follows her every Sunday planning for a big family dinner.. Kids laughing, adults joking, people dancing eating and making wine and sausage .. Duck dynasty style. With her big fat Italian family (great title don’t you think?)… All of this after her amazing life biography tell all on her life in Italy etc.. After she gets out.. Co written by the wonder heather Maclean! please let her see this post!
Love,
T fan club
May 19, 2015 at 3:15 pm
hi hearther i’m kadia thank you so much for this information i was looking for somone to help me i want to write a cookbook i love cooking i’m a mom of tow and i just staying home all day my dream is to write a cookbook but sometimes i think that ‘s will be hard an now i found this website thank you so much heater .
August 24, 2015 at 11:39 pm
Hi Heather, i want to thank you for your insight information on getting started on fulfilling for me a life long dream and that is to write . The information you shared was most helpful and greatly appreciated because i’ve come to learn so much in everything you said in your blog to help me further my dream as well as passion for writing and although i have a very long way to go to see this life long dream and passion become my reality reading what you’ve said has given me that spark again because my story is very deep , true and everything in between. Again thank you so very much , you are truly a God sent to me .