The Unexpected Journey to Becoming a Cookbook Author

My story began last year, around late January. Michigan was experiencing one of its harshest winters in recent memory. A few months prior, I had transitioned from my demanding role at the Emergency Center to embracing the full-time blogger and stay-at-home mom frontier. Life had found a new rhythm; I was there to greet my daughters off the bus, cook dinner almost every night, and, most importantly, enjoy weekends and holidays – something the 24/7 ER schedule rarely allowed.

An Email That Changed Everything

One mid-afternoon, as I was going through my emails, a message from a Michael Sterling, an agent in New York City, caught my eye. My initial thought was that it would be another one of those generic emails, like the one I once received suggesting a 300-recipe pie book (yes, really!). However, as I read on, I quickly realized this was different. Michael’s email was incredibly genuine and heartfelt. He expressed his admiration for my blog, mentioned reading it during his lunch breaks in the bustling heart of New York City, and complimented my unique “writing voice” – a voice I honestly didn’t even realize I possessed!

He wanted to chat about the possibility of me writing a cookbook. No. Freaking. Way. A wave of goosebumps swept over me from head to toe. My gut instinct told me this was legitimate, a truly pivotal moment.

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Finding My Voice

After a lengthy and exciting phone call with Michael, I knew I needed time to process everything and let my mind wander through all the cookbook possibilities. You might think this was a no-brainer, an instant “yes,” but for me, it was anything but simple. My mind raced with doubts and questions: What if I fail? I’m a blogger, not a formally trained writer. How could I possibly write a cookbook? Let’s be real, sometimes I struggle with commas versus semicolons! I’m just me, and “me” wasn’t (or so I thought) a “writer.”

The truth is, I’ve never experienced such profound self-doubt as I did when contemplating this cookbook. Not when I became a mother at 20, nor when I navigated the chaotic environment of a Level 1 trauma center, juggling doctors’ orders, shouted commands from critical patient bedsides, and a constant stream of incoming phone calls. Those challenges, I could handle. Writing a book? I simply wasn’t sure.

I discussed it extensively with my family. My daughters, Haileigh and Malloree, were immediately enthusiastic, shouting, “DO IT!!!” Yet, that nagging self-doubt persisted. It wasn’t until my wonderful husband looked at me and said, “Laur, I want you to do it if it feels right for you. I will support you either way… but what a cool thing to show our girls, being an example to them on what following your dream looks like.” That was it. I was sold. I realized then that I’d rather pursue my dreams and potentially fail than live with the perpetual question of “What if?”

The Road to a Publishing Deal: From Proposal to Penguin Random House

After a week of intense deliberation, I called Michael and declared, “I’m in, let’s do this!” But “doing it” didn’t immediately mean writing the book. First, there was the monumental task of assembling a book proposal. This sounds deceptively simple, but it’s an arduous process that I genuinely believe I couldn’t have navigated without Michael’s expert guidance. A book proposal is essentially a 40-50 page resume for your book, encompassing blog statistics, an “about me” section, sample chapters, a selection of recipes, media coverage, and a compelling argument for what makes your book unique and necessary in the market.

This comprehensive document took a good five to six months to perfect. By June, it was complete, and both Michael and I felt incredibly confident about what we were sending out to publishing houses.

A Serendipitous Connection with Penguin Random House

It’s truly remarkable how something that consumed months of work can yield results in less than a week. I remember the exact day vividly. I was in the midst of shuttling my two daughters to softball practice, meeting my husband Pat at one field to drop off our youngest, then rushing to another for our oldest. As I waited in my car, my phone buzzed with an email from Michael. The subject line indicated we had heard back from a publishing house! My heart leaped – not just any publishing house, but one of the top houses in the US: Penguin Random House!

Another wave of those familiar head-to-toe chills washed over me. His email informed me that an editor wanted to have a casual phone chat to get to know me better and that he would send her contact information shortly.

The Unbelievable Coincidence

Let’s rewind two weeks prior, before my proposal had even been submitted. I was at Target with Pat and the girls. Since I didn’t own an iPad at the time, I always made a point to browse the book section for new reads, inevitably stopping by the cookbook aisle. That day, I picked up Angela Liddon’s Oh She Glows cookbook. The cover immediately captivated me, and as I thumbed through its pages, I turned to Pat and exclaimed, “SEE! This is the kind of book I want to publish!” Everything about it, from its size to its thick, beautiful cardstock cover (I might be butchering the terminology, but you know what I mean!), drew me in. I fell completely in love with its aesthetic and feel.

Now, flash forward to that momentous day, sitting among other parents at my daughter’s softball game, a bubble of excitement in my throat, when Michael’s email pinged again. I opened it to find the editor’s information: Lucia Watson. I quickly scanned the list of books she had recently worked on. And wouldn’t you know it? She was the editor behind the Oh She Glows Cookbook! I am absolutely dead serious. It still gives me chills to this day. I simply couldn’t believe what I was reading. Call it fate, call it a crazy coincidence, but it undeniably solidified my belief that I was meant to write this cookbook. Period.

The Defining Conference Call and Book Deal

The very next day, Michael, Lucia, and I had a conference call. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my entire life. Of course, I desperately wanted her to like me and publish my book, but I was terrified of going blank, saying something completely random, and utterly blowing my chances. However, as we chatted about normal things – Lucia’s time at U of M, her two daughters – everything simply clicked. It felt as though I had known her forever. When I hung up the phone, my immediate thought was, ‘Holy-moly, I want Lucia to be my editor,’ followed swiftly by, ‘I nailed it.’

Later that same day, I officially had a book deal.

The Intensive Creation Process: Writing, Testing, and Photographing

With the book deal secured, my mind immediately began to overflow with recipe ideas. I meticulously jotted them down into several spiral-bound notebooks, and soon enough, I was already embarking on preliminary recipe testing. Summer seemed to vanish in an instant, and as my girls headed back to school, it signaled my unofficial start date to truly get down to business.

Facing the Overwhelming Task

My start was rocky. Finding the motivation proved incredibly difficult for me. I know, you’re probably thinking, ‘Hello?! Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Laurie!’ But I just couldn’t get myself to begin. Looking back, I realize now I was utterly terrified. Not only was I responsible for writing, testing, and perfecting 120 recipes, complete with headnotes and chapter introductions, but I was also tasked with taking all the photographs. That’s an immense amount of pressure, especially when I had just purchased a brand-new, fancy camera and was still grappling with its complex mechanics. I felt stuck, paralyzed by fear. With less than five months remaining to test, write, and photograph this entire book, the clock was ticking relentlessly.

The Whirlwind of Recipe Development and Testing

However, after several much-needed pep talks and invaluable advice from Michael (who truly became more than an agent, evolving into a wonderful friend), I confronted my fears head-on and tackled the challenge. Reflecting now, I can barely believe what I managed to accomplish in those few intensive months. Typically, I would dedicate an entire day to testing (and sometimes re-testing) up to six recipes, only to start the process all over again the next day.

It was a constant whirlwind, juggling all of this on top of navigating the holiday season, managing my kids’ sports schedules, and maintaining my blog here on Simply Scratch – which naturally explains my temporary absence during those demanding months. I was also fortunate to receive tremendous support from family and friends who generously helped with recipe testing, which was an absolute lifesaver. By February 1st, I proudly submitted the first draft of my book manuscript to Lucia.

The Refinement and Collaboration of Editing

I’ll spare you the intricate details of copy editing and how it can make a non-writer feel even more inadequate. But surprisingly – and perhaps I’m a little crazy for thinking this – I actually found the editing part somewhat enjoyable and even fun! I know, the intensity in the picture above, depicting round 1 of 3 in the editing process, might suggest otherwise. Truthfully, this book would not be what it is today without the incredible expertise of Lucia, her assistant Gigi, all the dedicated copy editors, and every single wonderful person who had a hand in shaping its content and presentation. I am, and will be, forever grateful for their unwavering support and brilliant contributions.

Discover “Simply Scratch”: Your New Kitchen Companion

So, let’s dive into the exciting details! “Simply Scratch: 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy” will be available everywhere on November 17th, 2015! This book is truly like my third baby; I poured my entire heart and soul into it, watching it evolve from a mere idea into a tangible object I can now hold in my hands. It’s a beautiful hardcover book, adorned with a vibrant and inviting jacket that I simply adore.

A Treasure Trove of Fresh and Easy Recipes

From the very beginning of devising recipes, my goal was to include as many brand-new creations as possible. I’m proud to say that well over three-quarters of the book features entirely fresh, never-before-seen recipes! While I did incorporate a few cherished blog and family favorites, even those were meticulously revised, tweaked, and revamped to be more “from scratch” or simply to enhance their ease and flavor. My ultimate hope for this book has always been for it to become a well-loved home cook’s bible – a guide used so frequently that its pages become dog-eared, sticky with syrup, smudged with sauce, and dusted with flour in every crease.

Think of this book as a seamless extension of this blog, offering the same philosophy of delicious, accessible family recipes, but without the step-by-step photos you find online. Beyond being packed with delectable dishes, I believe you’ll particularly appreciate Chapter One: The Basics. This foundational chapter covers everything from homemade seasonings and broths to batters, dips, and salad dressings, plus much, much more. And here’s a fantastic bonus: many of these essential basics can be incorporated into recipes throughout the rest of the book, giving you even more versatility in your cooking. I personally pull from this chapter quite frequently in my own everyday kitchen endeavors, and honestly, I love having it conveniently on my counter and at my fingertips (one of the perks of writing it – I get advanced copies!).

The Rewarding Outcome: Every Effort, Worth It

This entire process – the blood (I nicked myself with a knife more times in those seven months of testing recipes than my entire life combined!), the sweat, the tears of both joy and frustration, the mountains of dirty dishes, and a fridge constantly bursting at the seams – was unequivocally worth it. I would embark on this journey all over again in a heartbeat.

If it isn’t abundantly clear, I am incredibly proud of this book and genuinely believe it will become a cherished companion in your kitchen. For now, I’ll keep some details under wraps, as I love surprises and want you to be delighted as well!

Pre-Order Your Copy Today & Get a Special Bonus!

“Simply Scratch: 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy” is now available for pre-order! As a special thank you for your early support, everyone who pre-orders will be eligible to receive a bonus 10-recipe e-book (details on how to claim will be shared soon). Stay tuned for more information on this exciting extra!

Where to Purchase “Simply Scratch”

You can pre-order your copy from the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Books-a-Million
• Google Play
• iBooks
• IndieBound
• Kindle
• Kobo
• Nook

Oh, and might I add that “Simply Scratch” would make an excellent gift for birthdays, holidays, weddings, or as a thoughtful housewarming present? Just saying!