Online Class

Jumpstart Your Cookbook Proposal

3 Session Workshop

Class 1 | Mon | Oct 21, 2024 | 4–7P PT

Class 2 | Mon | Oct 28, 2024 | 4–7P PT

Class 3 | Mon | Nov 04, 2024 | 4–7P PT

Teacher Dianne Jacob

You’d like to write a cookbook and get a book deal. But where to start? A cookbook proposal is the document you submit before you write your book. Agents and editors decide whether to publish your book based on it. But book proposals have just a 1 to 2% success rate. It’s critical to get it right.

Dianne Jacob, writing coach and award-winning writer, will help you to jumpstart your cookbook proposal in this 3-session, interactive online workshop. With writing exercises, lectures, workshopping with fellow students, and direct feedback from Dianne, you’ll gain the tools you need to complete your proposal.

You will learn what constitutes a sellable idea, how a proposal is structured, and how to think like an agent or editor. You’ll have time to workshop your book idea and various parts of the proposal, with input from Dianne and your classmates.

It is difficult to see a good example of a proposal that sold. People are secretive about them. Dianne will share the successful proposal for her cookbook, The United States of Pizza, published by Rizzoli.

You’ll also write first drafts of several proposal sections. One of the hardest parts of writing a proposal is to start writing. You’ll finish this class with the bones of a proposal for your cookbook or food memoir.

Workshop Highlights:

Nine hours of class time
Discover what constitutes a sellable idea, how a proposal is structured, and how to think like an agent or editor
Workshop your book idea in an interactive, supportive environment
Learn how to craft each section for maximum impact and interest
Write first drafts of various proposal sections with timed exercises in class, homework assignments, and direct feedback on your work
Receive Dianne’s direct feedback on one of your recipes
Get exclusive access to one of Dianne’s complete, successful book proposals

Sample Session:

Review content from the previous week: 10 minutes
Workshop your proposal section with Dianne and fellow attendees: 80 minutes
Lecture “The Overview”: 20 minutes
Write a section: 15 minutes
Break: 10 minutes
Lecture “Recipe Writing”: 20 minutes
Small group breakouts and discussion: 30 minutes
Homework assignment: 5 minutes

**Please note: All class times are listed in Pacific (California, in this case) time.**

Handouts

Ten Great Ideas for a Cookbook

Contents of a Complete Book Proposal

Sample Cookbook Proposal (PDF)

Cookbook Structures

How to Think about Your Book Title

Ingredient/Equipment Prep

Click the button below to see the ingredients, equipment and prep lists for this experience. If you have questions, please email us .

View the list

Our online experiences are live and interactive

Got questions? You’ll get to ask them. Wondering if your dough/sauce/whatever looks right? You’ll be able to show the teacher and find out.

You only need to purchase one spot per household. This experience is held via Zoom, with a maximum of 10 students – you will receive instructions for logging in after registering. For ingredient, equipment and prep lists (when applicable), click on the ‘VIEW THE LIST’ button on this page. Printable recipes and handouts are available 48 hours prior to the start of the experience. Cooking classes are recorded, and you may view the videos by logging into your account on our website.

Please download the Zoom application in advance. Click here to download the Zoom software. To learn more about how to use Zoom, here’s their Quick Start guide for new users.