Cookbook Love Podcast

What does it really cost to go from dreaming about writing a cookbook to signing a book deal? Many aspiring cookbook authors assume they need a large budget, professional photography equipment, or significant upfront investments before they can pursue publication. In this episode, I break down the actual costs of writing and publishing a cookbook with a traditional publisher and explain why the most important investments are often not financial at all. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why many of the key steps in the traditional publishing process, from writing and pitching a proposal to signing a book deal, can cost little to nothing out of pocket. • Which expenses are optional, and how publishers often cover many of these costs. • The real investment behind every successful cookbook project. If you've been wondering whether writing a cookbook is financially out of reach, this episode offers a different perspective. While every publishing journey requires effort and dedication, the path from cookbook dream to book deal may be more accessible than you think. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download my free Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept. https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/conceptmap

In Episode 393, I discussed how an author platform is not just about visibility or follower count but something far more foundational. Since then, I keep thinking about this idea that a platform is not only something you build for publishing, but it is something that is actively forming you as an author while you build it. Today, I want to explore something that is still deeply misunderstood by many aspiring cookbook authors: what a platform actually does beyond getting you noticed. Because while publishers do care about platform, the real question is not whether your platform is big enough, it's what your platform is shaping you into over time. In this episode, you'll discover: Why a platform is less about visibility and more about forming real relationships with readers that shape your cookbook concept and voice How consistent engagement with readers sharpens your message through real-world feedback, not guesswork The unexpected way a platform builds confidence by replacing self-doubt with real evidence that your work matters Why your platform begins creating opportunities for you - speaking, teaching, collaborations - before you ever "pitch" anything If this episode helped you rethink your platform, I created a simple, practical tool to help you see what you already have, what's working, and what's missing. Download the Cookbook Author Platform Checklist

Welcome to another episode of Cookbook Love Podcast, Register for the How to Master Cookbook Design and Photography Workshop If you want to understand what publishers are really looking for before they say yes to a cookbook this is the show for you. In this episode, I share why recipes and beautiful photography are not always the deciding factor in getting a book deal and introduce a special live workshop on cookbook design and photography taught by a senior art director from a major cookbook publisher. If you've ever wondered who handles the visuals, what publishers expect from authors, and how to communicate your creative vision professionally, this episode is for you. During the show, I breaks down the real reasons some cookbook authors land publishing deals while others struggle to get traction. She shares the five things publishers care most about when evaluating cookbook proposals and explains the difference between what publishers want and what readers want in a cookbook. In this episode: The five things publishers look for before investing in a cookbook Why recipes alone rarely sell a cookbook proposal The truth about photography, design, and publisher expectations How to position yourself as a cookbook author that publishers want to work with Register for the How to Master Cookbook Design and Photography Workshop Baking for Two Episode 345 with Steph Pixley

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Before we get started, the doors are now open for Cookbook Writing Foundations for a very limited time, my new program for aspiring cookbook authors who want to move from cookbook idea to clear direction. Inside the program, I'll help you stop sitting on your cookbook idea and finally begin building it with confidence. Whether you want to preserve family recipes, share your expertise, grow your business, or create something meaningful to pass on, this program will help you make the decisions and take the steps that move cookbook projects forward. Visit Cookbook Writers Academy to learn more and enroll before the doors close. Today on the show, I have an interview with Domenica Marchetti, author of nine cookbooks, including her newest release, Italian Cookies. In this conversation, Domenica shares the story behind researching and writing a cookbook dedicated to the cookie traditions of all 20 regions of Italy. We talk about the bakery visits, travel experiences, regional specialties, and cultural traditions that shaped the book, as well as the creative process of developing and testing recipes inspired by generations of Italian bakers. In this episode, we discuss: How Domenica researched cookie traditions across all regions of Italy What bakery visits and travel taught her about recipe development and storytelling Her journey from newspaper journalism to becoming a nine-time cookbook author Why consistency, observation, and decision-making matter in cookbook writing The connection between food traditions, culture, and community Things We Mention in This Episode: Domenica Cooks Italian Cookies Learn more about Cookbook Writing Foundations Program

Today I'm excited to have an interview with Abby Cheshire. Abby is a private chef, culinary educator, and content creator best known for her social media presence as @abbyinthegalley. With experience cooking on luxury yachts and for private clients, Abby shares what it's really like to work as a chef from high-pressure yacht kitchens to immersive dinner events while teaching accessible global recipes and telling stories through food. Before we get started, I want to share a quick invitation. If you are a food, nutrition, or culinary expert — a chef, dietitian, food blogger, culinary educator, caterer, or passionate home cook with a message to share — and you want to understand what traditional publishers are looking for in 2026, I'd love to invite you to my upcoming masterclass: Get Paid to Write a Cookbook. In this class, you'll learn how to craft a viable cookbook concept that attracts agents and publishers, understand what publishers are looking for right now, and build three deal-ready essentials so you feel confident and prepared to pitch. If you're ready to stop guessing and gain a clear path to traditional publishing, you can register at https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/getpaidmasterclass. The link is also below in the show notes, and I would love to see you there. In my conversation with Abby, we talked about her experience cooking on luxury yachts, what it's like working as a private chef in high-pressure environments, and how she built a loyal audience by sharing the real behind-the-scenes life of a chef. We also discuss her new book, Passport to Flavor: 100 Global Dishes You Can Make Anywhere, and how she helps beginning cooks and adventurous eaters gain confidence cooking cuisines from around the world — right in their own kitchens. So without further delay, let's dive into this conversation with Abby Cheshire. Things We Mention In This Episode: Free Masterclass: Become a Paid Cookbook Author — and Turn Your Recipes Into Income + Impact Abby in the Galley

In today's episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast, Maggie sits down with former student and now published cookbook author Nina Greipel, creator of Gasthaus: Cookbook & Memories. Before we dive in, I want to invite you to register for my upcoming masterclass — Get Paid to Write a Cookbook. If you're a food, nutrition, or culinary expert who dreams of writing a cookbook and attracting a traditional publishing deal, this masterclass will walk you through what publishers are looking for in 2026, how to craft a cookbook concept that stands out, and how advances really work. You can register for the class using the link in the show notes. For over 30 years, Nina's family ran The Gasthaus restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky — a beloved hidden gem known for authentic German flavors and warm hospitality. In this episode, Nina shares how she preserved her family's restaurant legacy in a beautifully photographed, full-color cookbook. You'll hear about: The story behind The Gasthaus restaurant and its impact on the community How Nina decided to turn her family's recipes into a cookbook The process of testing, developing, and photographing over 80 recipes What it was like working through the cookbook publishing journey step-by-step How being part of a supportive group helped her finish and publish her book Tips and lessons Nina learned along the way If you love cookbooks with heart, history, and meaningful stories — or if you dream of publishing your own — this episode will inspire you. Things We Mention In This Episode: Enroll in the upcoming Get Paid to Write a Cookbook Masterclass Gasthaus Cookbook

Today on the Cookbook Love Podcast, I am honored to welcome Pyet Despain, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribe, award-winning global private chef, and the first winner of Gordon Ramsay's groundbreaking competition series Next Level Chef. Pyets's life and work are rooted in Indigenous fusion cuisine, where she weaves together the food traditions of her Native American and Mexican heritage. Through her cooking, storytelling, and travel, Pyet is dedicated to uplifting Indigenous culture and honoring the traditions passed down through generations. Originally from the Osage Indian Reservation in Kansas City, Kansas, Pyet now resides in Los Angeles, California, where she continues to share her culinary voice with the world. Her beautiful new book, Rooted in Fire, reflects her journey, her heritage, and her deep respect for food as a cultural and spiritual expression. In today's conversation Pyet shares: The story behind Rooted in Fire, who the book is for, and what inspired her to bring this project to life. Her journey from idea to finished book, the message she hopes cooks and bakers will take away, and how her work connects food, identity, and tradition. The book's structure, including its table of contents, key themes in the chapters, and several recipes you can try at home, allows you to experience the flavors and stories of Indigenous cuisine in your own kitchen. Things We Mention In This Episode: Rooted in Fire and Pyet's Plate.com Columbiana by Mariana Velasquez

Welcome to another episode of the podcast. Today, I have a fun episode called the Ins and Outs for 2026. This episode was inspired by the Ins and Outs list I did last year and focuses on things I did in 2025 that I want to do again, and new stuff I want to try. The outs are things I don't want to bring forward into the new year that no longer serve me, or don't help me live the life I want to live, or that use my precious time and life thinking, feeling, or doing. Things We Mention In This Episode: Sign up here for my email list all about writing, publishing, habits, and writing routines.