Everything Cookbooks

Andrea Nguyen, Molly Stevens, Kate Leahy, Kristin Donnelly
  • 5.0 (115)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast for curious writers, readers, and cooks. Episodes provide behind-the-scenes information and stories about how cookbooks get made.

  1. 17h ago

    177: Collective Book Studio with Angela Engel and Amy Treadwell

    Molly and Kate go behind the scenes of a partnership publishing house as they speak about the Cookbook Collective with its founder, Angela Engel, and its editorial director, Amy Treadwell. Angela shares a bit of her background and her impetus for creating a more collaborative publishing model before walking us through some industry terms as she banishes stigma and describes the differences in her approach. Amy tells us how she got involved with the collective, what she tackles on the editorial side and how this changes her working relationship with authors. They both speak about the partnership and custom avenues, how they differ from traditional publishing and give us a broad overview of the process of expenses, distribution, submissions, acquisitions, design and drive before leaving us with a thought on the special, unique story that a physical cookbook can communicate. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions The Collective Book Studio   Episode 02: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent? Episode 148: Heartland Masala with Jyoti Mukharji & Auyon Mukharji Episode 56: Hybrid Publishing with Vasudha Viswanath   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Heartland Masala, by Joyti and Auyon Muhkarji Vegetarian Reset, by Vasudha Viswanath 52 Shabbats, by Faith Kramer 20 Amici, 40 Ricette, by John Bersani Modern Hippie, by Lauren Thomas Nosh, by Micah Siva Aebleskiver, by Pim Pauline Overgaard

  2. Jul 8

    176: The Author-Editor Relationship with Alana Kysar and Kelly Snowden

    Kate and Molly speak with author Alana Kysar and her editor Kelly Snowden about their professional relationship after working on two cookbooks together. Alana shares why she initially didn't think she had a second book in her and what she hopes this new vegetable focused book adds to the Hawaiian food conversation. Kelly talks about first connecting with Alana's proposal, the elements she brought to the project and the timeline of the process. Both of them discuss the lessons learned from book one and how they helped in the sequel's creation, how they worked together and some best practices for a strong, continuing working relationship. Alana talks about the recipe selection and testing, the design and structural decisions and the approachability of her photography while Kelly explains her thoughts on option clauses, comp titles and what she sees as her mission while working on a book. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Alana Kysar Website Instagram   Ten Speed Press 4 Color Books   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Aloha Veggies, by Alana Kysar Aloha Kitchen, by Alana Kysar Kimi's Kitchen, by Kimi Werner Whole Food Cooking Every Day, by Amy Chaplin

  3. Jul 1

    175: Inside Ella Quittner’s Obsession with the Best

    Kristin and Molly speak with writer Ella Quittner about her new book, Obsessed with the Best, and the work and intent behind it. They get right into the nitty gritty details of the book; its origins, proposal, the research and testing involved and its unorthodox release date and promotional experience. Ella talks about blending personal stories and journalistic research, the vast testing process and how it was organized and a peek at her cookbook collection and its own organization. She takes listeners through the photography and design choices, the editing and formatting decisions and finally leaves us with how the experience of commodifying herself has led her to a more thoughtful, intentional approach to future projects. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Ella Quittner Website Instagram   Taste podcast interview with Ella Quittner Cherry Bombe Radio interview with Ella Quittner Milk Street Radio interview with Ella Quittner   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Obsessed with the Best, by Ella Quittner More than Cake by Natasha Pickowicz

  4. Jun 24

    174: On Being a Copyeditor with Melissa Haskin

    Molly and Kristin invite our very first copy editor to the show, Melissa Haskin. Melissa talks about getting started in the editing profession, her love of food writing and how her experience working with magazines like Cooking Light informs her work now. The hosts share some of their personal experiences and thoughts about copy editing and Melissa shares her own process and approach— the tiny details she looks for, the red flags she knows to avoid and the programs she uses to work. She discusses what it takes to be a good editor, what she's learned running her own freelance business and the projects she does, and does not, take on. Finally she tells us her favorite parts of the job and what led her to create an entire course on recipe editing. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Melissa Haskin Website Recipe Editing 101, 6-week course   Reedsy PerfectIt Susan McWilliams   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Single Thread, by Kyle and Katina Connaughton   Go to our Substack to find two downloads from Melissa: 1) A recipe editing reading list and 2) A self-editing checklist for cookbook authors. POSTSCRIPT: During our interview, Melissa mispoke and cited a Susan Williams as her mentor at Cooking Light. It was Susan McWilliams. Melissa also misheard Kristin’s question about professional editor groups. She is part of many such groups, but none that specialize in cookbooks. In characteristic copyeditor fashion, Melissa sent us these corrections immediately upon hearing the episode.

  5. Jun 17

    173: Writing a Narrative Cookbook Tanya Bush

    Molly and Kate speak with Tanya Bush, the author of Will This Make You Happy, about her cookbook/memoir mashup and how the pandemic contributed to her decision to marry a personal story and a technical text. Tanya shares some the life experiences behind the book, her impetus to create and the themes she wanted to explore as well as the process of getting an agent, earning an MFA and how the project shifted since its origins. We get into her thoughts on why she wanted to write this particular blend of genres, how the recipes, the book's design and her real life experiences fit in and how important critical distance and play are to her voice. Finally she hits on her hopes for the work, the audio version and potential adaptations and a few thoughts on her print magazine, Cake Zine. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Food Friends Podcast Newsletter Episode 162: The one in which we issue an apology and answer listener questions   Tanya Bush Website Instagram Cake Zine The Little Egg Restaurant   Why We Can't Stop Reading — and Writing — Food Diaries, Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker Clare Mao, agent   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Will This Make You Happy by Tanya Bush

  6. Jun 10

    172: Blurbs: Do They Actually Matter?

    Kristin speaks with hosts Molly, Andrea and Kate about blurbs; the good, the bad and the questionable. The hosts define the term and share their first blurbing experiences before chatting about the purpose and goal behind these endorsements. They talk about a blurb's swaying power, what makes a good one, how to know if it is trustworthy and the etiquette and process of soliciting, editing and including them in the finished product. They each discuss their experiences on both sides of the request, their thoughts on how a blurb affects sales and the role they see the author, editor and PR team playing before getting into some of the practical procedures and personal relationships involved when creating a list of hopeful 'blurbists'. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella     Mentions "Blurb Your Enthusiasm" by Sally Ekus "We Need to Talk About Blurbs" by Kathleen Schmidt "Are Publishers Dropping Blurbs?" by Lisa Tener "Here's How Social Media Is Changing Book Blurbs" (NPR, May 2025) "Author Blurbs: Do They Matter?" by Alessandra Torre Ink   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show A Bird in the Hand by Diana Henry

  7. Jun 3

    171: Crowdfunding Your Cookbook with Nandita Godbole

    Kate and Kristin speak all about crowdfunding with Nandita Godbole, who has fully funded seven books (and counting) through Kickstarter. Nandita shares how it all began, from her wildly successful supper club to funding her first book in just a few days and takes us through the details, ups and downs and pros and cons of going this route. She speaks about finding her audience, why she decided to self-publish, how she learned the technical specs and what the driving mission behind her projects is. This approach takes an immense amount of work for quality control, design choices and even hands-on mailing, and Nandita's persistence and perseverance has gotten her through stolen laptops, co-opted ideas and immense challenges. She leaves us with lovely and sage advice for others curious about crowdfunding and gives us a little peek into what's next. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Nandita Godbole Website Books Instagram Food Friends Podcast Newsletter Kitchen Arts & Letters  (Matt Sartwell)   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

  8. May 27

    170: Becoming a Food Photographer While Writing a Debut Cookbook with Saeng Douangdara

    Molly and Kristin speak with Saeng Douangdara, a personal chef and academic counselor turned online content creator and now, cookbook author and food photographer. Saeng shares what motivated him ten years ago to get into the online food space, why he wanted to show off Lao cuisine and how he's built up an audience and community during that time. His refreshing approach means he doesn't dilute or censor his interests and instead continues to challenge himself to learn and grow. This mindset came into play when he 'manifested' his cookbook, took on the daunting prospect of learning professional food photography on the job and collaborated with the writing and typography elements of the book. Saeng discusses why he wanted to create a book that acts as a Lao food primer and a way to share personal stories along with the recipes and leaves us with some sage advice and a look at how this book accomplishes some of his earliest goals. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen Editor: Abby Cerquitella   Mentions Saeng Douangdara Website Food Tour Newsletter YouTube Instagram TikTok   Fig & Light Lao Foodie Tour 2026 Food Friends Podcast Newsletter   Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors & Stories Told Through Family Recipes, by Saeng Douangdara

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About

A podcast for curious writers, readers, and cooks. Episodes provide behind-the-scenes information and stories about how cookbooks get made.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrea Nguyen, Molly Stevens, Kate Leahy, Kristin Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    197
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Everything Cookbooks
  • Show Website
    Everything Cookbooks

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