Everything Cookbooks

Kate and Kristin speak with cookbook author Maria Zizka about writing her solo projects as well as the more than forty collaborations she's worked on so far in her career. They chat about the challenges inherent in collaborations, how Maria got her start in the food world and the role letter writing played in getting her incredible internship—recipe testing alongside Suzanne Goin. Maria shares how she balances collaborations and solo projects, the lessons, systems and habits she's established because of her range of experiences, and the projects she will and won't take on. She talks about the process of switching agents, why she celebrates even the little milestones and the advice she has for aspiring authors.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsMaria ZizkaWebsiteInstagram University of Gastronomic SciencesEpisode 32: Co-Authoring Cookbooks with JJ Goode Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Newlywed Table by Maria ZizkaBoards, Platters, Plates by Maria ZizkaOne-Bowl Meals by Maria ZizkaCook Color by Maria ZizkaThe Hostess Handbook by Maria ZizkaSunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne GoinI Love You: Recipes from the Heart by Pamela Anderson

This episode Molly, Kate, Kristin and Andrea chat all things comp titles, but first they talk about a recent plagiarism controversy that is rocking the cookbook world. They share their thoughts on copyrighting recipes, including attribution and having respect for 'the canon' of cookbooks. Then they move on to the subject of comp titles: what they are, what they are used for, how to identify them, some dos and don'ts and why publishers may come up with a list of their own. The hosts share some examples from their own projects, list a few potential resources to help authors find them and share how the role of comp titles is more important than ever in publishing.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNagi's statement: When you see your recipes in a $4 million bookEdelweissCircana Book Scan Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kate and Molly welcome our first repeat guest, blogger and new novelist Adam Roberts, to discuss his foray into fiction. Adam shares what made him turn to fiction, why his first attempt didn't work and his own experience working as a ghostwriter as he shares the process of getting this book out into the world. He explains where the original idea came from, what parts of himself he infused into his characters and why creating the cookbook within the book was vital to the plot. Finally he shares some advice for aspiring novelists and a few sneak peaks into what he is working on next. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAdam RobertsWebsiteInstagramSubstack Newsletter: The Amateur Gourmet Episode 26: Blogs, Books and Broadway with Adam Roberts, the Amateur GourmetCasey ElsassArchestratus Books Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showFood Person, by Adam RobertsGive My Swiss Chards to Broadway, by Adam RobertsA Swim in the Pond in the Rain, by George SaundersAlone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant, by Jenni Ferrari-AdlerAfter Taste, by Daria LavelleWhat Can I Bring, by Casey Elsass

Molly and Kate speak with the self described 'OG Food Creative' Victoria Granof about her vast and varied career in food media. With decades of experience cooking, catering, food styling, writing and directing she is filled with insights, stories and, like her newsletter, delicious tangents as she talks about what she loves about her work, lessons she's learned and a few wild celebrity encounters. She shares what her work looks like today, the origin stories behind both her Sicily books and the writing, research and art direction behind the new book's creation.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsVictoria GranofWebsiteInstagramSubstack Newsletter: Delicious TangentsCreative Coaching Smashbox Studios, LASweet Sicily, by Victoria Granof Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSicily, My Sweet, by Victoria GranofThe Ultimate College Cookbook, by Victoria Granof

Kate and Molly speak with Camilla Wynne, a Toronto-based pastry chef, writer and teacher, about her new cookbook Nature's Candy. Camilla shares her unique career trajectory, the book's origin story and why she wanted to write about the niche technique of candying fruit. She explains the challenges and approach to its writing, design, photoshoot, research and recipe testing, along with how she pitched such a specific title to publishers. She talks about why creating an elegant yet approachable, stylish yet whimsical book was important to her and her hopes for this rigorous work to stay evergreen for candy enthusiasts. She leaves us with some wise advice and a sneak peek into her next project.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsCamilla WynneWebsiteInstagramSubstack NewsletterBand: Sunset Rubdown Nicola Lamb's Kitchen ProjectsVerlet Chocolate Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showJam Bake by Camilla WynneNature's Candy by Camilla WynnePreservation Society Home Preserves

Kristin and Andrea speak with Rick Martinez about his new book, Salsa Daddy, and his thoughts on the state of Mexican cooking and cookbooks in America today. Rick shares why he wanted to write this specific book, how it changed him as a cook and what he hopes to convey with his work. He reveals a few key editorial differences between working on this and his first book, why he is inspired by other cuisines and what the process was like working with his passionate and skilled collaborators and leaves us with a tease for book 3.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsRick MartinezWebsiteInstagramTaste podcast episode Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showMi Cocina by Rick MartinezSalsa Daddy by Rick MartinezSix Seasons by Josh McFadden

Kate and Molly speak with podcast host Sutanya Dacres about her debut memoir, Dinner for One, which was inspired by her podcast of the same name. Sutanya shares how her 'anti-fairytale' led to a show and a book, how she developed her writer's voice and her thoughts on what makes a memoir and why her book is unique to the 'American in Paris' lexicon. She describes how finding the arc of the story lies in choosing the right focal points before sharing the challenges inherent in writing about real events and people and how living in Paris has shifted her approach to life. Finally, she shares some advice for aspiring memoirists and discusses her supper club, restaurant pop-ups and tells us what she has planned for the future.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Sign up for our LIVE! Pitch Slam Session with Sally Ekus on May 21st! MentionsSutanya DacresPodcastInstagramIn Writing with Hattie Crisell podcast Leigh Eisenman  Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDinner for One by Sutanya DacresEat Pray Love with Elizabeth Gilbert

Molly and Andrea speak with food journalist, poet and new cookbook author, Betsy Andrews, about her recent career pivot. She shares the story behind the book Coastal as it went from idea to article to cookbook and why a bidding war ensued after the proposal. She talks about how her hustle mentality and editorial background helped to craft the aspirational travelogue, the process to 'ventriloquize' another voice and why it was important to include metric measurements, time estimates and ingredient substitutions in the project. Finally she shares a few words of advice for others embarking on collaborative work.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBetsy AndrewsInstagramWritingCheyenne Ellis photographyDad's Luncheonette Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCoastal, by Scott Clarke and Betsy AndrewsNew Jersey, by Betsy AndrewsCrowded, by Betsy Andrews

Molly and Kate speak with Rachel Belle, a journalist and Seattle media personality who was hired to write Open Sesame, a cookbook all about tahini. She talks about her background in food media, the unique way she joined the project (leave the house!), and how she learned the aspects of cookbook creation on the job. She takes us through the recipe creation and testing process, shares why it was important to inject her signature humor throughout the book and discusses what the most challenging aspect was. Finally she shares the questions she'd advise others in her position to ask and the new project she's got on her mind.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsRachel BelleWebsiteInstagramYour Last Meal Podcast Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showOpen Sesame by Rachel BelleTahini Baby by Eden GrinshpanSesame by Rachel Simons 

Kate and Kristin speak with Barkha Cardoz about the motivations and intentions behind expanding on her late husband Floyd Cardoz's legacy. She speaks about working with masala spice blends and why a collection of recipes was the next best step to demystify and empower home cooks, even though she has seen first hand the demanding nature of the cookbook creation process. She shares what the collaborative relationship was like with Burlap and Barrel, the experience of crowd sourcing recipe testing and why self producing the book allowed for the freedom and malleability of making exactly what they wanted. Finally she talks about Flavorwalla's second life, how Floyd's legacy still shows up in their community and what her plans are for the future.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Barkha CardozWebsiteInstagram With Love and MasalasBurlap and Barrel Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showFlavorwalla, by Floyd Cardoz 

Kate, Kristin, and Molly speak with Maggie Hoffman, host of The Dinner Plan Podcast, about her varied career in food media and what led to her starting her show. Maggie reminiscences about blogging, editing and working at Serious Eats and Epicurious as well as the ever changing landscape of food media. She shares why she began her podcast, the concept behind it and the intimacy allowed by the audio medium. She discusses her hopes and goals for the show, how it relates to her newsletter and the upcoming books and guests she is excited to see featured.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsMaggie HoffmanPodcast: The Dinner Plan PodcastNewsletter : The Dinner PlanNewsletter: What to DrinkInstagram: Maggiejhoffman Maggie's newsletter about starting a podcastHow to Battle Kitchen Burnout (And Still Get Dinner on the Table)5 Spices, 50 Dishes, by Ruta KahateStaples + 5, by Tanorria Askew Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe One-Bottle Cocktail, by Maggie HoffmanBatch Cocktails, by Maggie HoffmanDinner, by Meera SodhaThe Secret of Cooking, by Bee WilsonPerfectly Good Food, by Margaret Li and Irene LiStaples + 5, by Tanorria AskewSalt Sugar MSG, by Calvin EngWhat Goes with What, by Julia TurshenAmbitious Kitchen, by Monique Volz

Molly and Kristin speak with Corrie Locke-Hardy about their debut cookbook, which pairs their passion for social justice activism and food. Corrie talks about their atypical path towards publication, the unique approaches of their publisher and how the 'figure it out as you go' method worked during the book's creation. Corrie shares how they balanced the various tones of the book, why they focused on the recipes they did, how they worked with the team on its production, distribution, and promotion, and the project they hope to work on in the future. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Corrie LockeWebsite: The Tiny ActivistInstagram: The Tiny Activist The Washington Women's CookbookSally EkusRaspberry Bow PressHigh-Five BooksThe Revolution Will Be Well Fed, by Corrie Locke-HardyEpisode 85: A Juneteenth Cookbook for Kids with Alliah Agostini and Taffy Elrod Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

In this first episode of Season 7 Kristin, Molly, Kate and Andrea sit down to ask the question: What happens when we start with Who instead of Why? They share the readers they had in mind when they wrote their first books and why its important to identify an audience instead of writing to the market. They share a few tips to research such as demographic data, awareness level and niching down as well as the tools and actions that could be helpful when either identifying or building an audience for a project. Finally they introduce a new Everything Cookbooks offering and tease our upcoming slate of new episodes.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsSubscribe to our brand new Substack here!EVCB Community Discount on SubstackSimon Sinek TedX Talk "Start with Why"Episode 61: Writing a Second Edition with Lukas Volger Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWhy I Cook, by Tom CollichioCooking for Jeffrey by Ina GartenCoastal, by Scott Clarke with Betsy AndrewsStart with Why, by Simon Sinek   

Kate and Kristin discuss all things hybrid publishing with Vasudha Viswanath, the author of The Vegetarian Reset. Vasudha shares a quick rundown of the typical routes of publishing and why she chose to go down the hybrid path. She talks about the pitching process, what partnership publishers cover (and don't), the recipe development steps and how she assembled her creative and publicity team. She describes the part her book plays in her business strategy and her experience learning as she goes in the cookbook community.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsVasudha ViswanathThe Vegetarian ResetSubstack: We Ate WellInstagram The Collective Book StudioEpisode 40: Snackable Bakes with Jessie SheehanEpisode 47: Self-Publishing Cookbooks with Nick FauchaldAmazon Kindle Direct PublishingIngramSpark52 Shabbats by Faith KramerReedsy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWill Write for Food by Dianne Jacob 

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 DonnellyEditor: 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 KrishnaThe 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 ChopraThe 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 DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella  MentionsHeidi Swanson's blog post on her cookbook proposal process Kate Leahy's blog post on the elements of a cookbook proposalKatie Parla's blog post on how to write (and sell) a cookbook proposalDiane 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 DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsThe Ekus GroupInstagramWebsiteSubmission RequirementsSally EkusInstagramSelf Paced Course: How to Write a CookbookFacebook group: How to be a Cookbook AuthorAssociation of American Literary Agents Mentorship ProgramWomen's Media GroupThe Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse CookbookFirst 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 DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsRica AllannicRica Allannic on IGDavid Black Literary AgencyPublisher Marketplace - “Quick Pass” link for $10 day pass IACP membership for networkingThe Lisa Ekus GroupEquity at the Table Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showRuffage 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 NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Episode 1: Should You Write a Cookbook?Episode 2: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent? with Rica AllannicHeidi SwansonI've Made Everything from Gnocchi to Mapo Tofu in My Camper Van's KitchenBy Ali SlagleEpisode 50: Telling Your Story in a Chef Cookbook with Vishwesh BhattGet SaucyThe Pleasures of Cooking for OneSavoring Spices and HerbsArticle about the Ski Town Aprés Ski Cookbook successAssociation for Dressing and SaucesCooking for One by Judith Jones Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showGood & Cheap by Leanne BrownBack Pocket Pasta by Colu HenryThe New Sugar & Spice by Samantha SeneviratneSalad for President by Julia ShermanPriya'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 NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsI was a bestselling recipe writer - then burnout killed my appetite for food, and life. This is how I found my way back by Meera SodhaOn Politics of Attention in 2025 by Alicia Kennedy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showFour 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 NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsClay WilliamsWebsiteInstagramThe Thread that started it all Crystal WahpahpehBlack Food FolksEpisode 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 showMy America by Kwame OnwuachiRoots, Heart, Soul, by Todd RichardsGullah Geechee Home Cooking by Miss Emily MeggettVegan 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 NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsJenny RosenstrachWebsiteInstagramSubstackCup of Jo column Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDinner a Love Story by Jenny RosenstrachWeekday Vegetarians by Jenny RosenstrachWeekday Vegetarians get Simple by Jenny RosenstrachThe New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam SiftonThat Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music

Kate and Kristin speak with Nicola Lamb her debut cookbook, Sift, and writing the book you want to read. Nicola talks about her passion for baking, learning and teaching before diving into the book creation process. She shares the lengthy proposal writing process, working from her Substack and a post-it wall, the importance of trusting your team and the resources she used while writing. She also speaks on the differences in releasing a book in the US versus the UK, some insights into the Americanization of the project and some astute advice for enjoying the everyday process.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNicola LambWebsiteInstagramKitchen Projects NewsletterBibliography Episode 74: Crafting a Drinks Book with Danny ChildsEpisode 102: Lara Hamilton of Book LarderEpisode 31: Catch an Agent's Attention with Sally EkusEpisode 94: Insights from Literary Agent Lori Galvin Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSift by Nicola LambAdvanced Bread and Pastry by Michel SuasSalt Fat Acid Heat by Samin NosratOn Food and Cooking by Harold McGeeHow Baking Works by Paula Figoni

Molly and Andrea speak with Joe Yonan, the Food and Dining Editor at the Washington Post, about his new book, Mastering the Art of Plant Based Cooking. As they discuss the idea behind creating an authoritative resource, Joe explains why he wanted to write this particular book and concentrate on this topic as a cuisine instead of a lifestyle choice. He shares why he wanted to shift the narrative around this often polarizing topic and how he used his lifetime of experience and expertise to create it. We get a behind the scenes glimpse into its creation including project management, recipe testing, time management and cover process as well as how he went about creating a consistent voice with multiple contributors. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsJoe YonanWebsiteInstagramWashington Post Column Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showMastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking by Joe YonanCool Beans by Joe YonanEat Your Vegetables by Joe Yonan 

Kate and Andrea speak with the editor in chief of New York Times Cooking, Emily Weinstein, about all things recipe writing and recipe curation for the new book Easy Weeknight Dinners. They chat about what makes a great recipe, what are missteps, if there is a formula and all the formatting considerations involved in writing recipes. Emily talks about curating this collection, the idea behind the book, avoiding 'dull and dutiful recipes' and why they decided to bring the NYT comment section into print form. Finally, she shares her thoughts on upcoming home cooking trends and a quick tease of future projects. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Emily WeinsteinWebsiteInstagramFive Weeknight Dishes Newsletter New York Times Cooking Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showEasy Weeknight Dinners by Emily WeinsteinThe New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes by Sam SiftonDessert Person by Claire Saffitz 

Happy New Year! Molly, Kristin, Kate and Andrea take a look at the past year in cookbooks and share their thoughts on the trends they predict for 2025. They discuss how the pandemic affected the cookbook market, how they see production costs and finances changing and share some insights from editors and agents about what publishers are looking for in 2025 (hint: platform!). They talk about speciality markets, single subject expertise, branded and restaurant books before sharing a few teasers of our upcoming season.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions 110: Sarah Fennel on bringing an online platform to the pageAttention Economy SubstackThe Dinner Plan Podcast Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showChampagne by Peter LiemThe Bean BookKing Arthur Baking CompanyThe Red Boat Fish Sauce CookbookThe Cake BibleAfricaliIslasKalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen: A CookbookThe French Laundry CookbookCoastal

Kate and Molly speak with blogger, writer and MasterChef alum Hetal Vasavada about her atypical career journey. She shares stories and lessons learned from her time on the tv show, how she got around the limits of her contract after it aired and why it was important to foster a community. Hetal talks about the differences between book one and book two, the advice she got during recipe development and how she learned food photography skills to shoot her own books before diving into the design process. She discusses working with the designer, choosing a title, her unique brand of flavor combinations that yields dishes that have minimal effort but maximum payoff and leaves us with a few of her ideas for book number three.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Hetal VasavadaWebsiteInstagram Would You Write a Cookbook for Next to Nothing?Swasti CreativeMilk & Cardamom Linen Collaboration at Kaapus Co. Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDesi Bakes by Hetal VasavadaMilk & Cardamom by Hetal Vasavada

Today things get a little bit spicy and steamy as Kate and Molly speak with debut romance writer Sarah Chamberlain. Sarah shares her experience working to "American-ize" foreign cookbooks and how she brought that food world expertise to her fiction writing. She discusses stepping into the romance world (reading and writing), the inspirations for her novel and how she landed on the cookbook details that were central to the plot and character development. Finally, she talks about the role food can play in fiction and where she sees this done well before giving us a sneak peak at her next book and some advice she has for aspiring writers in the food world.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsEpisode 63: On Rejection and Recovery Sarah ChamberlainWebsiteInstagram Susan Elizabeth PhillipsMarian KeyesSarah MacLeanMhairi McFarlane Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Slowest Burn by Sarah ChamberlainA Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty SmithLike Water for Chocolate by Laura EsquivelMy Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead GeorgeAll-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney TaylorDial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. SutantoCrazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Kristin, Andrea and special co-host Elsa chat with Priya Krishna about her fresh and unique kid's cookbook 'Priya's Kitchen Adventures'. Priya talks about approaching this project without kids of her own and why she wanted to create a physical book instead of going the video/social media route. She shares how writing for kids made her a better recipe developer, how she decided on the format, recipe titles, difficulty levels and cuisines to highlight while Elsa talks about the specifics she appreciated and enjoyed in the book. We learn about the recipe testing process and photoshoot that both involved kids and Priya talks about how she fit writing this book in with her New York Times work. Finally, she talks about the different approach to promotion that this called for and why she feels this may be her last cookbook, though hopefully not her last book.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsPriya KrishnaWebsiteInstagramNew York Times Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showPriya's Kitchen Adventures by Priya KrishnaIndianish by Priya KrishnaCooking at Home by Priya Krishna 

Kristin, Molly and Kate chat all about that often dreaded activity, networking. They talk about the stressors involved, their individual approaches and what they focus on to build relationships and why re-framing these as learning opportunities can help with imposter syndrome. They discuss some specific resources and advice along with some personal experiences that they've learned from to build a community of mutual support before ending with their Thanksgiving plans and traditions.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions"How to Network When You're an Introvert" by Kristin DonnellyEpisode 107: Caroline Choe on BanchanEpisode 32: Co-Authoring Cookbooks with JJ GoodeEpisode 106: Caroline Chambers on Building a Substack PlatformIACPCherry Bombe MembershipHow to be a Cookbook Author Facebook GroupThe American Institute of Wine & Food Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kate and Kristin speak all things platform building and content creation with Sarah Fennel as we learn what should come first, the audience or the book? Sarah shares her definition of 'content', her path from hobbyist blogger to business owner and what areas she focused on on to build her platform. She speaks about tipping points in her career, how she balances creating persona forward vs food forward content and why she decided now was the best time to write a cookbook. Finally, she talks about shooting the photos for the book, working with her team and leaves us with some wise and inspiring advice and a hint into what she is working on next.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsSarah FennelWebsiteInstagramTikTok Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSweet Tooth by Sarah FennelHungry Authors by Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry 

Kristin and Molly speak about the newest release from America's Test Kitchen "When Southern Women Cook" with its editor, Morgan Bolling, and its forward writer, Toni Tipton-Martin. This is a newer format for ATK so Morgan and Toni share its journey from idea to publication, where the concept and title came from and how late night conversations inspired its creation. They talk about working with a historical consultant, the process of balancing over 300 recipes with all of the contributing essays and how it was almost split into two volumes. They share the lessons learned for the future, how investigative curiosity is involved in both recipe development and story writing and the pride they felt in bringing the expertise of so many individuals to this project. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsSouthern Foodways AllianceCook's Country Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWhen Southern Women Cook by ATK, foreword by Toni Tipton-Martin, edited by Morgan BollingJubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-MartinJuke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice by Toni Tipton-Martin  

We're pleased to share our very first live show with all of our listeners! Kate, Andrea and Kristin spoke with Toriano Gordon and Anna Voloshnya at the Napa Valley Cookbook Fest earlier this year where they spoke about their individual cookbook journeys and career paths, the challenges that came with their projects and the ways the process felt fulfilling. They share their goals of representing and sharing the people, places and culture they came from, the importance of community and all about recipe creation, writing and naming. Finally they share a few instances of editorial pushback, their cover stories and the one question they encourage aspiring authors to ask themselves before starting their own cookbook journey. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNapa Valley CookbookFestEpisode 25: Inside a Ukrainian Kitchen with Anna VoloshynaToriano GordonAnna Voloshnya Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showVegan Mob by Toriano GordonBudmo! by Anna Voloshyna 

Kristin and Kate speak with chef, artist, teacher and writer Caroline Choe about her debut cookbook, Banchan. Caroline shares her career journey and how her teaching experience and art background informs her work today. After a confluence of events caused her to declare that she was quitting the industry, ultimately she was hired to write this cookbook and brought her personal story, family recipes and illustration skills into the project. She talks about the importance of including family photos, not compromising on the title and jumping into the brand new experience of a cookbook photoshoot as well as her dedication to prioritizing working with women and the AAPI community.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsCaroline ChoeInstagram Episode 63: On Rejection and Recovery Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showBanchan: 60 Korean American Recipes for Delicious, Shareable Sides by Caroline Choe 

Molly and Andrea speak with Substack's number one food and drink writer, Caroline Chambers, about her experience building a successful following that led to the release of her new cookbook, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking. Caroline shares how the pandemic spurred her shift from freelance recipe developer to newsletter writer in spite of past rejections of her cookbook proposal. She talks about her ethos, writing voice, building an audience, why she prioritizes instruction and how she balances realism and professionalism within the newsletter along with the most important piece of advice she has for aspiring platform builders. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsCaro ChambersSubstackInstagramPodcastWebsite Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWhat to Cook When you Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers 

Kate and Molly speak about cookbook clubs and career shifts with debut author Bebe Carminito. Bebe shares what inspired her love of food and her various career changes, from makeup artist to pastry assistant to food stylist to cookbook author. She followed her curiosity, gathering contacts, classes and experience over the years which eventually led to a beautiful full circle moment with this book, The Curated Board. She talks about starting a cookbook club and how that led to joining, or starting, four others as well as the ins and outs of running them and what grabs her attention when selecting a title. She discusses the experience of styling her own book, working with her photographer and with contributors for the book's recipes before leaving us with some truly inspirational advice. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBebe CarminitoWebsiteInstagram Mechanics Cookbook Clubqb CucinaThe Proof CollectiveMimi ThorissonThe Whisk and SpoonLeslie JonathLauren RubenSusan SpungenShelley LindgrenChristine GallaryThe Jam LabMarie ReginatoKim LaidlawAnna VoloshynaEmily CooperMolly DeCoudreauxAnne's ToumBalcony People by Joyce Landorf Heatherley Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Curated Board by Bebe Black Carminito 

Molly and Kate dive back into the topic of cookbook reviews as they chat with Leslie Brenner, an experienced critic, journalist, editor and consultant in the food media space. Leslie shares how she got into food writing, the inspiration and motivation behind her website and why she focuses on the home cook. She speaks on the mental and physical toll of restaurant reviewing and why she sees cookbook reviews as important before explaining her process and the mechanics involved as well as the rule she abides by while bringing a critical eye to the work. She talks about the role voice plays, the red flags she looks for and what she wishes authors would do before sharing the upcoming cookbook trends and titles she is excited to see in the marketplace.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Leslie BrennerWebsiteInstagramCooks Without BordersCooks Without Borders NewsletterCooks Without Borders Instagram Episode 84: Do We Need Cookbook Reviews? Crave by Ludo Lefebvre Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Memory of Taste by Tu David Phu and Soleil HoTu Casa Mi Casa: Mexican Recipes for the Home Cook by Enrique OlveraFirst Generation: Recipes from my Taiwanese-American Home by Frankie GawNiçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France's Sunniest City by Rosa JacksonThe Bean Book from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen by Steven Santo with Julia NewberryMastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking by Joe YonanOur South: Black Food Through My Lens by Ashleigh ShantiLes Halles by Anthony BourdainOttolenghi Comfort by Yotam OttolenghiCrazy Water Pickled Lemons by Diana Henry 

Molly and Kate speak with Betty Liu about the process of creating her second cookbook which she photographed while juggling a demanding day job. She shares how she ventured into the cookbook sphere from her career in wedding photography, blogging and surgical residency as well as where the idea for her first book came from. She talks about why she wanted to showcase Shanghainese food, why she focuses on cooking authentic, not traditional, food and how she incorporates medical school's "see one do one teach one" approach into her books. With her skilled eye for design she was deeply involved in the visual aspects of the book, photographing it all herself, and she talks about the importance of the linguistic and illustration elements to make this the exact book she wanted to write.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBetty LiuWebsiteInstagram Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Chinese Way by Betty LiuMy Shanghai by Betty Liu

Molly and Kate speak with Lara Hamilton, the owner of Book Larder Seattle's community cookbook store. Lara shares the motivations behind opening the store, why Seattle was the perfect base and how she sees the connection between food and books. We learn the origins behind the name, location and design of the store as well as some behind the scenes insights into ordering, event planning and curating its unique selection. Lara talks about her thoughts on trends, author platforms and building a space that is a must stop on author tour before revealing her most anticipated Fall titles.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly StevensEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBook LarderWebsiteInstagramPodcastYouTube ChannelBook Larder Podcast: Molly StevensBook Larder Podcast: Kate Leahy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showBodega Bakes by Paola VelezEasy Wins by Anna JonesWhat Goes with What by Julia TurshenA Splash of Soy by Lara LeeChinese Enough by Kristina ChoSift by Nicola LambBake with Benoit Blin by Benoit BlinMy Life in France by Julia ChildButter by Asako Yuzuki and translated by Polly Barton

We're back and starting off Season 6 with grab bag of topics with all our hosts. Kristin, Molly, Kate and Andrea discuss the pros and cons of the (potentially overfull) Fall cookbook season and how to emotionally prepare but keep expectations realistic on pub day while prioritizing celebration. We share our insights and experiences on contracts, printed errors, correction pages and wade into some existential territory as we discuss optional ingredients in recipe writing before diving back into one of our favorite topics, platform. Finally, we talk about the the current cookbook trends we're loving, upcoming releases we're looking forward to and court some potential controversy with our thoughts on pumpkin spice.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsMonique of Hardcover CooksThe Bojon Gourmet Pumpkin Spice MixCookbook Chronicles: The Science and Art and of Recipe Development, by Martin SorgeIf Desired, by Joy ManningThe Truth About Platform, by Kathleen SchmidtKristin Donnelly's Newsletter 52: Matt Sartwell of Kitchen Arts and Letters100: Advice from Our Listeners and Season 5 Wrap-Up42: How to Write Recipe Titles93: The Secret of Cooking with Bee Wilson69: Writing a Menu Cookbook with Amy Thielen Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showHungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book by Liz Morrow and Ariel CurryBanjan: 60 Korean American Recipes for Delicious, Shareable Sides by Caroline ChoeThe Chinese Way by Betty Liu

To close out Season Five and celebrate 100(!) episodes, we're sharing some advice, tips and ideas from our listeners for our listeners. Molly, Andrea, Kate and Kristin discuss some of the terrific insights that our listeners have submitted to help aspiring cookbook authors and share their own thoughts on topics like: writing classes, caring the most for your project, the inevitable "dip" in the process, headnote workflow, photography ROI, self-editing and two book deals.Thanks so much for joining us for 100 episodes! We'll be back with Season 6 soon!Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsEpisode 29: Finding Your Voice with Tori RitchieEpisode 15: Will Write for Food with Dianne JacobEpisode 02: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent?Episode 82: Craft Books for Cookbook WritersEpisode 01: Should You Write a Cookbook?Episode 18: Pro Tips from Cookbook Critic Paula ForbesEpisode 88: On Being a First-Time Cookbook Author with Michelle BraxtonEpisode 69: Writing a Menu Cookbook with Amy ThielenEpisode 94: Insights from Literary Agent Lori GalvinEpisode 27: When Less is More: Ali Slagle on the Art of Short RecipesEpisode 63: On Rejection and RecoveryEpisode 93: The Secret of Cooking with Bee Wilson Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show 

Molly and Kate speak with two members of the cookbook indexing website Eat Your Books team; Jane Kelly, co-founder and CEO and Jenny Hartin, Director of Publicity. Jane shares where she got the idea to create the website, the way it works and how its grown since its inception with now over 2.5 million recipes indexed. We learn how vital the community experience of the site is and ways authors can use the site in their own work. Jenny talks about the various indexing issues that can arise, the benefits to the manual process, how she chooses which of the myriad of releases to highlight and a peek into the EYB/publisher relationship. They both share how this is still a passion of theirs, what books they've been cooking from lately and the titles they are excited about this fall. Stick around for an exclusive promo code for EVCB listeners to try out Eat Your Books for themselves!Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsEat Your Books website2024 Cookbook Releases  Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show 

Kate and Andrea chat with Singapore based cookbook author Chris Tan about his new book, Nerd Baker 2 and his publishing process. He shares why he wanted to revisit the world of Nerd Baker, how he keeps international readers in mind while writing and how his experience as a cooking instructor informs his work. He talks about the climate obstacles he had while writing and photographing, where his research led him and why he seeks to demystify instructions for his readers and how he goes about doing it. Finally, he shares insights into his social media approach and how his books get internationally distributed along with a few wise words of advice.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNerd Baker 2: Tales from the Yeast Indies by Chris TanNerd Baker by Chris TanThe Way of Kueh by Chris TanChinese Cooking Demystified: Sourdough Youtube videoKinokuniya Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kate and Kristin tackle the topic of cookbook collaboration as they chat with Olga Massov and Sanaë Lemoine about their new book, Hot Sheet. Olga and Sanaë share a bit about their career paths, where the inspiration for this book came from and why partnering on it was the best way to go. They speak about the strengths and expertise each brought to the project, why they focused on sheet pans and go into the nitty gritty of how they worked together. Hint: spreadsheets! They talk about the recipe creating and testing process, the pre-work steps they took before embarking on the projects and advice they'd give to others interested in starting their own creative partnerships.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsOlga MassovSanaë Lemoine Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showHot Sheet by Olga Massov and Sanaë LemoineThe Margo Affair by Sanaë Lemoine

Molly and Kate speak with the owners of Los Angeles based cookbook store Now Serving, Ken Concepcion and Michelle Mungcal, about the crucial role that niche independent bookstores play in the marketplace. Ken shares how his chef background informed his love of cookbooks and led to opening the store and Michelle talks about curating their space to create a specific atmosphere for their community. They speak about what titles they choose to carry, their thoughts on event formats and release schedules along with the obstacles that arise in the retail space and the ones that come with running a small business. Finally, they discuss their thoughts on self published projects and promote their new cookbook club.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNow Serving BookstoreNow Serving BookclubPlantasia: A Vegetarian Cookbook Through Asia by Pamelia ChiaTacos CDMX by Guia Domingo Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showBäco: Vivid Recipes from the Heart of Los Angeles by Betty Hallock and Josef CentenoSauces: Classical and Contemporary Sauce Making by James PetersonFlavorama by Arielle Johnson

Kate, Kristin and Molly venture back into the user experience arena as they discuss recipe presentation in cookbooks. They highlight the need for this section to delight not distract and prioritize form over function as well as the need to write with a specific audience in mind. They discuss their thoughts as a consumer and developer on elements like: ingredients, equipment, serving size, prep time, method, sub-recipes, headnotes and bursts. Finally, they share their advice for recipe developers on things to think through and ways to research to bring clarity and individuality to their own work.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Episode 91: The UX of Cookbook DesignEpisode 28: All About HeadnotesEpisode 42: How to Write Recipe TitlesEpisode 24: Genius Recipes with Kristin MigloreEpisode 59: Lerato Umah-Shaylor on AfricanaEpisode 33: Becoming the Writer You Want to Be with Andy BaraghaniEpisode 93: The Secret of Cooking with Bee WilsonEpisode 88: On Being a First-Time Cookbook Author with Michelle Braxton Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showGenius Recipes by Kristin MigloreBrooks Headley's Fancy Desserts by Brooks Headley

Kate, Kristin and Molly speak with agent Lori Galvin about her long career in the food media space. She shares what spurred her decision to move on from editorial work and how agenting required on the job learning and an entrepreneurial approach. She talks about learning to trust in her own taste, why she enjoys working with both fiction and non-fiction titles and the changes she is seeing in the cookbook sphere. After touching on proposals, comp titles and platform building, Lori gives some advice to authors looking for their own agents and what she in particular looks for in an book. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Lori Galvin at Aevitas AgencyQuery ManagerEpisode 76: Totally Achievable Zero Waste Cooking with Irene and Mei LiSh*t no one tells you about writing article on Query Manager (scroll down)Kristin Donnelly's mini-course about finding an agent Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showNotes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir by Kwame OnwuachiPie Squared: Irresistibly Easy Sweet & Savory Slab Pies by Cathy BarrowPerfectly Good Food: A Totally Achievable Zero Waste Approach to Home Cooking by Margaret Li and Irene Li

Molly and Kate talk with prolific writer Bee Wilson about her new cookbook, The Secret of Cooking. Bee explains how she uses her past experience as an academic in her food writing to showcase its breadth beyond restaurants and recipes and what inspired her to write this cookbook. She shares why she settled on a thematic structure for the book, the recipe writing and testing process along with her varied influences and resources. She talks about bringing the joy back into cooking and why she believes that the golden age of home cooking is still to come. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBee WilsonWebsiteInstagram Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Secret of Cooking by Bee WilsonConsider the Fork by Bee WilsonFirst Bite: How We Learn to Eat by Bee WilsonThe Way We Eat Now by Bee Wilson50 Ways to Cook a Carrot by Bee Wilson

Kate and Molly speak with Ruth Reichl, an icon and authority in the food media world, about her breadth of writing experience - restaurant reviews, cookbooks, memoirs, articles and even tweets- and her new book, The Paris Novel. Ruth shares why food is a universal framework, her inspirations for this novel and the process of working with a new editor. She talks about being a "writer who hates writing" and how this process differed from others as well as how she accesses memories to include specificities in her scenes. Finally, she shares her advice to push into the unknown and what she is working on next. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsRuth ReichlSubstackInstagram Food and Country Film"Why I Disapprove of What I Do" by Ruth ReichlTumbleweed at Shakespeare and Company Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Paris Novel by Ruth ReichlSave Me the Plums by Ruth ReichlGarlic and Sapphires by Ruth ReichlMy Kitchen Year by Ruth ReichlDelicious! by Ruth ReichlTender at the Bone by Ruth ReichlComfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl

Kristin, Molly and Kate tackle cookbook design from a usability perspective. They point out design decisions that authors should consider: packaging and cover design, typeface and font legibility, photographs on matte vs gloss paper and much more. They share their own opinions, experiences and preferences on the elements that enhance or detract from a user's experience of the book and, because there's much more to say on the topic, tease a part two.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsDebbie Berne Instagram83: A Niche Cookbook That Sold 350K+ Copies with Shelly Worcel47: Self-Publishing Cookbooks with Nick Fauchald66: Becoming Your Own Publisher with Katie Parla  Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Design of Books by Debbie Berne

Kristin and Molly speak with cookbook author Phoebe Lapine about finding pleasure in restrictive diets and her new cookbook, Carbivore. Phoebe shares what led her down a food focused career path, how she learned while blogging and how a health diagnosis pulled her down a different path than originally planned. She talks about writing recipes that keep comfort and pleasure in mind, synthesizing data to communicate science to her reader and why her driving force is "healthy hedonism". She also discusses the concept of a "search term book", the importance of sub-titles and how she balanced blogging, social media and marketing while writing the book.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Phoebe LapineWebsitePodcastInstagram Carbivore pre-order freebies Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCarbivore by Phoebe LapineSibo Made Simple by Phoebe LapineThe Wellness Project by Phoebe LapineIn the Small Kitchen by Phoebe Lapine