How Do I Know If I'm Getting A Good Cookbook Deal?
It's possible to believe that every person in the industry of food is writing books. There are plenty of famous chefs as well as Instagram influencers. They make it look easy, but in truth, the world of cookbooks isn't quite as glamorous as it seems, and it's more important than ever for authors to know how to write a book and stay safe before and while writing one.
What should I look out for when signing my first cookbook deal?
Short answer: a reputable advisor, realistic budgets, and the expectation of questionable financial benefits.
Cookbook deals usually come about in two different ways one of which is when an agent or publisher comes knocking on the door of a celebrity chef who has achieved some notoriety or perhaps a chef is thinking of an cookbook, put a proposal together and actively shop for it. The first step in both cases. The "author" or the mixologist, baker, butcher, or chef, will be known as the "author" and will need to come up with a proposal before the project can sell. Go here: https://ipsnews.net/business/2022/01/20/the-essential-keto-cookbook-review-free-with-best-recipes/ for more information.
Authors are required to sign several papers during the process. These include a contract with an agency and a co-writing contract as well as one with photographers and lastly, one with the publisher if the proposal is approved. Note: Authors may also engage a developer or recipe tester, or an outside publicist. While I've reviewed a few of these contracts but I'm not privy to the particulars of the other set. The last two sets are usually in the hands literary agents. Sarah Smith at David Black Agency has been a great help in filling the holes.
It's important to note that it can be very difficult to without an agent obtain a deal for a cookbook. Smith can employ anyone you'd like! However, I have never met a client who didn't have an agent. Authors need to find one as soon as they are determined about their project.
The value of agents
In the case of cookbooks, authors typically contract with agents based on the talent of the author and their general concept that agents are essential in the creation of the book: Agents flesh out loose ideas , and give author guidance at the time of the proposal and help to build the project team, and contribute to the creation and the completion of the project on which the proposal is based.
Agents' costs
Smith recommends that authors research every agent prior to signing with them: "Authors should feel empowered and able to shop around to find out about their ethos and track record. There aren't all agencies equal."
The other members of the team: co-author
Many chefs don't have the time or experience to draft proposals. The proposal is word-heavy and the writer is likely to be the one to carry the bulk of the weight and could request a flat rate for it (which the author often has to pay out of pocket but they are able to pay back the author if the idea sells).
The photographer is part of the team
Photographing their own cookbooks is not common for chefs, and it's recommended to get this work done by someone else. In most cases the author pays for the photographer through their advance, except for those rare 50/50 split collaborations wherein Smith notes that the writer and the author normally share the expense along with other expenses.
She says that in some circumstances, whether it's a particular publishing house or if an author has a lot of leverage when it comes to negotiating the terms of a deal, there could be a need for an additional photography budget separate from an advance.
The separate budget may even be non-recoverable (in that the publisher can't insist on paying back for that after the book has been placed on shelves). Smith says that the majority of photographers aren't paid on a percentage basis so you have to pay them the base rate. This could exceed six figures.