So you want to write a cookbook? If you answered yes, then you’ve come to the write place! (Did you see what I did there?!) I’ve got tips and great information to get you on your way to a great cookbook deal!
“They say fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives.” – Jonathan Swift, Polite and Ingenious Conversations (1738)
Everyone that knows me, knows how addicted to Twitter I am, not to mention how much I love cookbooks. Twitter is the first thing I check when I open my eyes in the morning, and the last social media platform I say goodnight to before shutting my eyes for sleep.
So, when I heard about Lisa Ekus’ contest for pitching cookbook ideas, I was all over the idea of entering. Rules: Pitch a cookbook idea, using the hashtag #SignMeSal. Here were my tweet pitches, all beginning with the hashtag #SignMeSal.
“Hands”: photography of cook/baker hands making specific recipe by hand.
Cape Cod Classics – from Clam Chowder to Cranberry Pie!
Now, what were the odds that I would be selected as one of the 16 finalists?! Crazy high, because there were hundreds of great entries, but I WAS CHOSEN! The pitch they liked the best was Hands, and I have until tonight at 11:59PM EST to come up with my POD or Point of Differentiation.
In 140 characters, I have to explain “How is this concept different from what already exists in the market?” Well, let me tell you a little more about the concept and we’ll see how I can narrow it down to 140 characters.
I want to write a cookbook, so I can do this!
Hands will be about showcasing the hands of food makers across the United States. From bread bakers using hundred-year-old sourdough starters in California to saltwater taffy pullers on Cape Cod. Hands are such an essential part of the food making process – heck, without them, it’d be pretty hard to knead bread, make ravioli, and harvest bay scallops from the shore.
The book will take you on a visual trip across the nation, sharing with you gorgeous photography of these hard working hands. Wrinkled hands, smooth hands, tense hands, tired hands; but each and every one of them, beautiful hands.
Recipes from these artisan food makers will be tucked in-between the stories of where they came from, what they do, and how they’re making the world a more delicious place with their hands.
How is this book different than any other book in the market? Well, after a few hours of online research, I could not find ONE cookbook that showcases the hands of food makers specifically. I want the book to be photography focused on the hands.
Sure, photos of the food will be there as well, but I want the spotlight to be on the hands at work, making the readers fall in love with them, to appreciate their own hands a little more, and learn how those hands became wrinkled/smooth/burned/tense.
To find out what my POD tweet is (I’ll be tweeting it later today), be sure to follow me (@marnely_murray) on Twitter. Also, follow @SallyEkus and @LisaEkus for updates on the contest, as well as the hashtag #signmesal
Congrats! I am a finalist too, and JUST tweeted my POD! It was tough, I realized most tweets I was composing sounded more like alternate pitches than real PODs. Also I had SO many ideas, but didn’t think I could submit more than one for the initial round–I feel lucky the idea I chose was the one they picked!
Your book sounds fascinating and I hope we both make it on to the next round! If nothing else, you have a new blog follower in me now 😉
Congratulations! That is an excellent book idea. There is nothing like that in the market and it would be genius to recognize the hands and the stories of the labor makers that very carefully create masterpieces with their hands. The story behind their craft, the recipes, their hands…it will all be just an awesome book that I want to read!
What a brilliant idea! I live in a fishing community and can see hands catching and cleaning fish, hands shucking oysters, hands peeling shrimp. I would definitely buy your book.
I seriously love love the freaking idea!!!!! I am so saying a boat load of positive thoughts for you:-) In my eyes, what a unique pitch, you have to be the winner, you just have to be!!!!! BUT I am partial I guess:-) Love and hugs, Terra
How exciting for you! I love the concept. Best of luck to you in the contest, Marnely!
Such a cool concept…you got this. The SECRET. use it. Love ya
I LOVE this idea! Hands that are finely tuned instruments able to create symphonies of flavor for all to enjoy. They deserve this kind of appreciation! Good luck!
This is such a clever take on a cookbook! I love it and think you are a genius! So very interesting! Cookbooks with stories behind the recipes are always my favorites.
I love this idea. Some of my favorite food photos are pictures of people working with the food with their … you know … hands. I think it would be a beautiful book.
This is such a unique idea, with imaginative follow-through on the conception: I can almost see the photos of the wide variety of hands and can imagine the disparity of the accompanying recipes. If you don’t win this contest, you most definitely need to continue to pitch this idea. Kudos!