So you think you want to write a cookbook? You need a cookbook proposal and Dianne Jacob can help.

As cookbook lovers and creatives, we all at some point may have felt that we have a cookbook waiting to be written inside of us. In the past, I am on record of stating that I wasn’t worthy of writing a cookbook, but when the publisher Gibbs Smith approached me about writing 101 Things to Do with a Bundt® Pan, I took the opportunity. I had posted some gorgeous Bundt® cakes on my Instagram which started that conversation.

Writing those 101 recipes nearly killed me – not so much the writing and creating dessert recipes but trying to figure out 101 things to cook/bake in a Bundt® pan that included savory recipes and more. At one point, I became slap-happy and started threatening to make a Bundt® bed pan or Easter bonnet Bundt® but I was quickly silenced.

I would love to work on a book of miniature desserts from all over the world – that is my passion not meatloaf in a Bundt® even though those recipes are good. For such a book, I could utilize my collection of miniature pans to their full potential and be justified in keeping them. (Don’t worry they will stay, I hope to be buried with them.)

If I were to pitch a cookbook, I would turn to the expert. Cookbook writer Dianne Jacob and author of Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Blogs, Cookbooks, Restaurant Reviews, Articles, Memoir, Fiction, and More says:

“If you want to write a cookbook or food-based book, you probably already know that the acceptance rate from agents and editors is 1-2 percent. You need a book proposal that will get into this tiny percentage, and I can tell you how.“

Diane is offering a workshop on writing a cookbook proposal. Write parts of the proposal and get personal feedback and insider information in this 3-week class that starts April 3. Dianne’s blog can be found here.

Other articles of interest:

• Cookbook writing is not the path to riches
• The hidden risks of writing a cookbook
• The financial challenges of cookbook writing
• Cookbook writing advice from the experts