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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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