In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a by-the-book type of person. It comes as no surprise, to me or my blog-mates, that I’m considering alternative methods of publishing. I have a couple of blogs planned that will explore this option. Today’s blog is about a particular project of mine. I am considering self-publishing and need to consider what I will have to do to see that accomplished. Maybe my thoughts will encourage you in some of your non-traditional publishing ideas. 
I actually have two projects that I think lend themselves well to self-publishing and selling online. The one most near completion is a cookbook for novice cooks. When I say it is near completion, all I mean is that the recipes I’d originally planned to include are written. I still have a lot of revising and reformatting and editing work to do.
Before I get to work doing that, however, I want to decide what exactly it is that I am creating. Am I just compiling a list of recipes with instructions? Something that looks like every other cookbook. You all probably know me well enough to know my answer to that is a resounding, “NO!” I want something different. Not just to be different, but because there are plenty of regular cookbooks on the market and more being created every day.
I want my cookbook to encourage and inspire a non-cook, someone afraid of cooking or unsure how to begin. I want to make what can seem like a mysterious, unknowable high-and-mighty activity into one that is simple, easily-understood and just as easily accomplished.
My next step, as I see it, is to decide on a format that will be newbie-friendly. I think I have come up with something. I’m going to arrange each section around a meal, with entree and side dishes and even a dessert. It will be presented on a two-page spread. One page will be chatty, with suggestions and anecdotes and lots of details. The other page will be a succinct, bulleted list of steps in the order they need to be accomplished. The next few weeks will be spent doing just that with the recipes I’ve accumulated.
Once I’ve done that, I’ll need to test it. That’s where my blog-mates and friends will help me. I plan to send out some of the recipes to my non-cooking friends to see if they are as clearly written as I think. I’ll also send them to my cooking friends to get their input. I will probably even post a few to my website and solicit comments and suggestions.
After I’m sure my recipes are useful, easy-to-read and easy to follow, and after they are formatted and arranged in book form, it will be time to decide how to market it. I’ll have several options and over the next few weeks, I plan to explore them on this blog.
For now, the steps I need to take for this project is:
- Determine the target audience. Done
- Determine the format. Done . . . unless in editing I find a better format.
- Create a sample.
- Test the target audience and any ancillary audiences.
After these steps, I’ll start exploring ways to actually publish it.
Do you have a project you think might be better served by self-publishing? What do you need to do in order to see it done?
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I think there are more and more options for publishing. You make a good point on the the project and the avenue to pursue. Also to factor in:
- your organization skills
- willingness to do it all (so to speak)
- learn new things/especially technology
- learn to shamelessly self promote
That last one wouldn’t be any different in any publishing arena. Thanks for the post.
But why wouldn’t this book lend itself to more traditional publishing? I feel like this is a book that would do well–contrary to popular belief, publishers want to publish fresh concepts. This post is essentially you’re pitch, and I liked it a lot. Admittedly I’m not a huge fan of self-publishing, but I’m also not sure why you think this book would be better for self vs. traditional publishing.
Susana, you are right, it could be marketed to a traditional publisher. It’s different enough to interest several. I’m a do-it-yourselfer, though, and enjoy learning new ways of doing things. So this is an experiment to put some of the info I’ve been reading and studying into practice.
I also think traditional publishing is way too top-heavy and entrenched in money-sucking tradition for today’s technology. Something has to change. When considering the 5-10% royalty I’d get by traditionally publishing and the as much as 75% I’d get self-publishing, it’s an easy choice. And even if this experiment fails, I’ll have learned something new and be better able to comment on the options. (At present, I feel like the childless person commenting on how to raise a child . . . . lots of opinions, but no experience to back it up.)
Thanks, What If Girl. I’ll definitely factor in your suggestions.
All I know is – I’m going to help Stephanie see if she really can help a non-cook choose to cook something rather than buy something pre-made. I hate to cook! I hate spending time in the kitchen just because I happen to be hungry. But I’ve tasted some of Stephanie’s meals… and they’re good enough that I’m willing to see if she’s right about them being simple. LOL!
Wait, I was probably supposed to comment with my opinions on self-publishing, wasn’t I? Not cooking. Hmm, but now I’m hungry. Peanut butter and jam, here I come. LOL!
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