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Cookbook Love Podcast

Cookbook Love Podcast
Author: Maggie Green
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In this weekly podcast, host Maggie Green celebrates cookbook readers, writers, collectors, and clubs, with interviews and conversations about cookbook writing and the role of cookbooks in our lives. Maggie's mission is to build and celebrate a community of people who would rather write, read, and buy a cookbook over any other genre of book.
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Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I’m excited to have an interview with Stephanie Hansen. Stephanie is the host of the Emmy-award-winning TV show “Taste Buds with Stephanie”, blogger at Stephanie's Dish, and radio host of The Weekly Dish and author of True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two: Seasonal Recipes From a Cozy Kitchen. Stephanie hails from Minnesota and spends her summers entertaining in her cabin on True North Island in Minnesota. Today on the show, we talk all about cabin cooking and entertaining, Stephanie’s seasonal favorite recipes to welcome guests and feed people the foods of the Midwest and Minnesota. Things We Mention in This Episode: Stephanie’s Dish website blog True North Cabin Cookbook: Volume Two
Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. I just finished enrolling new students into Cookbooks on KDP and wanted to share something with you based on my conversations with aspiring cookbook authors. When I talk to successful cooks, bakers, dietitians, chefs, and others who have a ton of kitchen experience to share, I hear them say things like: “I don’t have time.” “I’m not techie enough.” “Do I need an audience first?” “I’m not a dietitian”. But underneath those words is something we all face, what I call Doubt Soup. In this episode, I explore how doubt shows up in disguise, why it keeps so many cookbook dreams on hold, and what we can do instead of sit in the Doubt Soup. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for the 2026 cohort of Cookbooks on KDP
Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the Cookbook Love Podcast, I’m sharing what I call the hidden beginning of publishing. Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about the types of publishing — self, traditional, and hybrid — and we’ve heard from hundreds of authors who’ve chosen each of those paths. But behind the scenes, there’s another part of the publishing journey we rarely talk about: the inner life of a cookbook author, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Publishing isn’t just about producing a book. It’s about letting the love you already live with spill over into something permanent, dignified, and shareable. Things We Mention in This Episode: Doors are open for enrollment in Cookbooks on KDP Interviews with Graduates of Cookbooks on KDP: Episode 352: Kasey Lobb Episode 356: Cristina Carolan Episode 313: Gerry Romano and Katelin Maidment Episode 287: Lorraine Carlstrom Episode 288: Chantal Secours
Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I’m joined by Camille Beckstrand of Six Sisters’ Stuff. What began in 2011 as a way for six sisters to stay connected after leaving their childhood home has grown into one of the top family-friendly recipe websites on the internet. With a focus on simple, approachable meals, Six Sisters’ Stuff has become a trusted source for millions of families worldwide. Their latest cookbook, 30-Minute Meals with Six Sisters’ Stuff: 100+ Quick and Easy Meals the Whole Family Will Love!, brings their signature family-first approach into the kitchen with more than 100 quick, delicious, and stress-free recipes. Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or someone who craves home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen, this book is your go-to guide. Today on the show we talk all about: The evolution of Six Sisters’ Stuff from blog to thriving business Writing cookbooks and how they fit alongside online recipes Choosing cookbook topics and themes Strategies for making meals in under 30 minutes Fan-favorite recipes: Lemon Brownies Two-Ingredient Naan Butter Chicken Mexican Street Corn Tacos Why dinner served in bowls is so popular right now This episode is packed with insights about food blogging, cookbook writing, and making mealtime easier without sacrificing flavor. Things We Mention in This Episode: Six Sisters’ Stuff: 30-Minute Meals book Six Sisters Stuff Join the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass now in progress
Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not really an expert… who am I to write a cookbook?” or conversely “They’re not really an expert…who are they to write a cookbook? You’re not alone. For years, publishers, editors, and agents acted as gatekeepers, deciding who was “qualified” to write a cookbook. But times have changed. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: The old gatekeepers who kept most voices out of publishing How traditional publishing is shifting and why publishers now want new and unique lived experiences How self-publishing platforms have blown the doors open Who the real gatekeepers are today And the most important truth: the only permission you need You’ll also hear about The Cookbook Publishing Masterclass, a free 3-part training series I’ve created to help you take the next step toward your cookbook dream. It begins September 2, and it’s the perfect way to see what’s possible when you stop waiting for permission. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for the Cookbook Publishing Masterclass beginning September 2, 2025
Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the podcast I share three questions that came up during Recipe Week LIVE 2025: how to ethically adapt recipes, how to move from passive learning to active doing, and how to price a self-published print cookbook on Amazon with confidence. Today on the show, I share: Adaptation & attribution: Why ingredient lists and basic processes aren’t generally copyrightable and how your expression (voice, headnotes, tips, stories, history, technique rationale) creates protectable originality. Simple, honest “inspired by/adapted from” credit keeps you on solid ethical ground. From learning to doing: Why passive learning feels comfortable, and how small, courageous actions (blank page → draft → test → iterate) build momentum. Use tools like a Pre-Recipe Tool or documentation is the bridge to capture ideas and start writing. Pricing with confidence: Why $25–$40 is common for premium print cookbooks, how color and page count affect your KDP print costs, and why price is a signal of value and not a race to the bottom with a lost cost book. Consider your margin and own your profit goal. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP (September 2025 enrolling soon) KDP Printing Cost & Royalty Calculator
Before we get started, there’s still time to take advantage of the final two days of Recipe Week LIVE 2025 happening now through August 15, 2025. This live event is for anyone who wants to turn what they cook or bake every day into publishable recipes. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025. Today I’m excited to have an interview with Holly Capelle. Holly is a home cook, food preservationist, lifestyle artist, and advocate for sustainable living. She is the founder of @bigfamilyliving, an online community for people who preserve, create, cook, and garden. Holly is the author of the new book Preserving the Seasons, a comprehensive guide to the easiest ways to preserve the produce, herbs, and flowers you love. Holly lives in Portland, Oregon, and with her husband and six children, they’ve created a living garden classroom in their suburban home. As the garden has grown over the years, it’s now filled with chickens and vegetable, fruit, herb, and edible flower gardens right out her back door. Today Holly and I talk all about her living classroom, and walk through her beautiful new book filled with tips for infusions, drying, dehydrating, freeze-drying, and how to incorporate these preserved ingredients into everyday cooking. Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE Holly Capelle @bigfamilyliving Preserving the Seasons
Welcome to the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I’m excited to have an interview with Ellen Kanner. Ellen Kanner is the author of Miami Vegan: Plant-Based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table and the award-winning book Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner. She writes about the intersection of food, culture, community, and wellness for outlets including HuffPost, VegNews, and Edible South Florida. Ellen is a vegan advocate and culinary instructor, and the creator of the Substack newsletter Broccoli Rising. As a fifth-generation Miami native, Ellen lives with her husband in where else? Beautiful Miami. Today on the show, we talk about all the natural beauty and wonders of Miami, her life as a vegan, her new book Miami Vegan, including everything from tropical fruits and vegetables in Miami, vegan food swap and ingredients, as well as Ellen’s perhaps unpopular opinion about how to include more vegetables in your diet. Don’t forget to register for our upcoming LIVE event: Recipe Week LIVE 2025: Get Your Recipes Cookbook-Ready, happening August 11-15, 2025. This five-day live event is for aspiring cookbook authors who want to turn their passion into publishable recipes. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025. Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE Ellen Kanner Miami Vegan: Plant-based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table
Welcome to the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I talk about a question I hear all the time: How do I get my recipes ready for a cookbook? Recipes are the heart of any cookbook. They are what set our books apart from other works of non-fiction. They’re not just instructions on paper; they’re a combination of creativity, story, and trust. So if you are writing your recipes for publication, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the five stages of recipe writing: ideation, development, writing, testing, and publishing. These stages form the foundation of every great cookbook recipe, and understanding them will help you move from a scattered collection of notes to polished, cookbook-ready recipes. And if you want to dive deeper, I’ll also tell you about Recipe Week LIVE 2025: Get Your Recipes Cookbook-Ready, happening August 11-15, 2025. This five-day live event is going to change the way you think about recipe writing. Sign up here for Recipe Week LIVE 2025. Things We Mention in This Episode: Register for Recipe Week LIVE
Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Daen Lia — home cook, recipe creator, and the author of Garlic, Olive Oil + Everything Mediterranean. You may know Daen from her wildly popular social channels under @daenskitchen, where she shares comforting Mediterranean-inspired recipes with over 6 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Daen Lia learned to cook from her Spanish and Italian mother and grandmother. With the smell of garlic and roasted tomatoes wafting through the kitchen, Daen discovered the alchemy of a few simple ingredients: garlic, olive oil, and whatever is fresh, whether a vegetable or protein, or both. In this episode, we explore: Why garlic confit is the foundation of nearly every recipe in her cookbook—and how to make it yourself How one simple batch of garlic and olive oil can transform everyday meals The journey from social content to print publishing The six essential ingredients that structure her book: GARLIC, OLIVE OIL, BUTTER, BREAD, CRUMBS, and EGGS Daen’s tips for creating content for social media Whether you’re new to Mediterranean cooking or a seasoned home cook, Garlic, Olive Oil + Everything Mediterranean offers approachable techniques, bold flavor, and heartfelt inspiration from a kitchen rooted in love and simplicity. Things We Mention in This Episode: Garlic, Olive Oil, + Everything Mediterranean Daen’s Kitchen Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Diana Henry’s How to Eat a Peach Matty Mattheson’s Soup, Salad, and Sandwiches: A Cookbook
In this episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast, I’m joined by Suzanne Lenzer, food stylist, writer, and author of Peckish: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker. Suzanne’s approach to food and cooking invites us to consider not just what we eat, but how and why, with more spontaneity and less convention. Suzanne shares how she structured Peckish around “vessels” like On Toast, In Jars, Napkins Only, and more, making it easier (and more fun) to plan a night of grazing or to turn an afternoon snack into a small ritual of care. In today's show we talk about: What mindful snacking actually looks like Why “Girl Dinner” became a cultural moment How to structure meals (or non-meals!) around what you’re really craving The beauty of Peckish as both a guide and an invitation If you’ve ever felt the joy of assembling a little plate that speaks to what you want in that moment, this conversation is for you. Let's celebrate the joy of eating well, one thoughtful snack at a time. Things We Mention in This Episode: Peckish: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker Connect with Suzanne Lenzer Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Diana Henry, How to Eat a Peach
In today’s episode, we’re unpacking a concept I teach inside the Get Paid to Get Published program about defining Your Cookbook Concept. Using a powerful metaphor —the Dinner Party Analogy—we’ll explore how to define what your book is really about, who it’s for, what’s on the “menu,” and why it matters in today’s publishing landscape. Today you’ll learn why you, the author, are the host of your book’s journey, how to identify and describe your ideal reader, and different cookbook concept types—from ingredients to holidays, what makes your book stand out in the market, and what is a competition study. Things We Mention in This Episode: How to Get Paid to Write a Cookbook Free Training Too Many Eggs Episode 261 with Mimi Smith Dvorak
Welcome to another episode of the show. Today, I’m excited to welcome Cristina Carolan. Cristina is a plant-based personal chef and author of Plant-Based Pacific, a cookbook that reflects a vibrant fusion of culinary cultures from Japan, Hawaii, and the Philippines. She’s the owner of Chef Veggie, a plant-based personal chef and holistic lifestyle service. A lifelong traveler, Cristina’s experiences living in Japan, visiting her mother’s homeland of the Philippines, and calling three Hawaiian islands home inform every dish and story in her book. In today’s episode, we talk about: The inspiration behind Plant-Based Pacific How Cristina's multicultural upbringing shaped the concept Cristina's cookbook publishing journey Recipes and stories for local meals like Hawaiian Plate Lunch and Filipino Kamayan, all with a plant-based twist Advice for aspiring cookbook authors Whether you’re a plant-based cook, a cultural food enthusiast, or dreaming of writing a cookbook, Cristina’s story offers warmth, insight, and plenty of practical wisdom for your journey in the kitchen and at your keyboard. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 Connect with Cristina Carolan Order a personalized copy of Plant-Based Pacific
Welcome to another episode of the podcast! Several times a year, outlets like Eater, Food Network, Epicurious, Publishers Weekly, and others publish their roundup features: What’s hot in cookbooks this season? They’re the pulse checks of the cookbook world and offer a lens into what's resonating now. Today on the show, we’ll dive into trends in cookbooks published this spring, each tied to what cookbook buyers are craving and what publishers are publishing in Spring 2025. Things We Mention in This Episode: Join the waitlist for Cookbooks on KDP for September 2025 🎧 Episode 348 – Being a Cookbook Author: Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom 🎧 Cookbook Love Episode 347 – Being a Cookbook Author: Discover Your Authentic Voice & Indian Comfort Food 🎧 Episode 334 - Eat Better Sleep Better with Marie-Pierre St. Onge
Over the years, I’ve coached hundreds of cookbook writers. And as a cookbook writer myself, I’ve noticed something: the way we write shifts with the seasons. So does the energy you all bring to your projects. Without a doubt, January and September are your power months. Something about the clean slate of the new year—or the back-to-school feeling of fall—makes it easy to say yes. The urgency feels good for a while. But urgency doesn’t last. Pressure wears you out. And cookbook writing—at its best—is built on bringing the full you to the page, year-round. So today I want to offer another way. A way of writing that moves with the rhythm of summer. With more daylight. With more warmth. With more time to reflect, to gather, to savor, and to create. Summer isn’t about pushing. It’s about presence. And that’s exactly what Cookbook Camp is built for. So, whether you’re poolside with a notebook or cooking with the windows open, let’s explore how this season can support your most nourishing work yet. Things We Mention In This Episode: Registration for Cookbook Camp, a guided summer experience to help you shape your concept, choose your publishing path, and start building the habits that lead to a finished book.
Welcome to another episode of the show. If you have gathered recipes for years, hosted holiday parties and meals, preserved family traditions, or become the go-to source for meals in your family, then you may want to turn your recipes into something more: a cookbook. In this episode, I’m sharing 7 tips to help you move from recipe keeper to cookbook writer, everything from why calling yourself a writer matters to how your kitchen and keyboard habits create momentum for your project. If you’re sitting on a goldmine of recipes, this episode will give you some food for thought to help you start your cookbook. Things We Mention In This Episode: Registration opens Monday, June 16, 2025, for Cookbook Camp, a laid-back summertime experience to help you shape your concept, choose your publishing path, and start building the habits that lead to a finished book.
Welcome to today’s episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with Kasey Lobb—a self-professed food nerd, registered dietitian nutritionist, and plant-based chef. Kasey is the author of The Gluten-Free Sourdough Cookbook, a flavorful new release that brings together her personal passion and professional expertise. Her new book marks a stirring new chapter for Kasey’s personal and professional journey. Most days, you’ll find her experimenting in the kitchen or tending to “Mother”—her well-loved gluten-free sourdough starter. For over 20 years, Kasey has helped clients transform their health through food, with a focus on food sensitivities and autoimmune conditions. With this cookbook, she’s on a mission to help home bakers ditch dry, dense gluten-free breads and bake with confidence using accessible, nourishing ingredients the whole family will love. Kasey and her book designer Rae are both students inside my cookbook coaching programs—Cookbooks on KDP and Get Paid to Get Published—and it’s been a joy to watch this cookbook come to life. Things We Mention In This Episode: Appetite to Travel The Gluten-free Sourdough Cookbook by Kasey Lobb Join the waitlist for the next cohort of Cookbooks on KDP
Today, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with none other than Meathead—one of only 40 living inductees in the Barbecue Hall of Fame and the founder of AmazingRibs.com, the world’s largest barbecue and grilling website. Meathead is the author of the best-selling Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling, and he’s back with a brand-new book: The Meathead Method. In this episode, we dig into what makes this book different—and how his method will change the way you cook outdoors. We also bust some big-time barbecue myths, including: Why beer can chicken doesn’t do what you think it does The truth about basting with butter Whether wet brining really helps your Thanksgiving turkey And why soaking wood chips might be a waste of time Meathead also shares: How to cook chicken that’s juicy and flavorful every single time Tips for taking stir-frying and deep-frying outdoors His secret weapon for perfect steaks: the Sous Vide Que method Essential gear for grilling and barbecue competitions—including digital thermometers And a surprising favorite cookbook that celebrates... vegetables! It’s a sizzling, myth-busting episode full of practical tips, surprising insights, and a whole lot of flavor. So buckle in for this longer-than-normal episode as we take a stroll to cook outdoors with the most important discovery of all time: fire. Things We Mention In This Episode: Amazingribs.com The Meathead Method by Meathead Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Welcome to today’s episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with a true baking powerhouse: Bobbie Lloyd, CEO and Chief Baking Officer of the iconic Magnolia Bakery @bakewithbobbie. You might know Magnolia for its world-famous banana pudding and charming New York City roots, but under Bobbie’s leadership, it’s grown into a global dessert destination with over forty locations worldwide. And just in time for the unofficial start of summer, Bobbie joins me to chat about her brand-new book: The Magnolia Bakery Handbook Volume 2: Icebox Desserts. In this episode, she gives us the inside scoop on what makes icebox desserts so beloved—think no-bake layers, cool textures, and nostalgic flavors—and shares tips for mastering them at home. We talk roasted strawberries, Frozen Key Lime Pie, and, of course, the dessert that started it all: Magnolia’s famous banana pudding. With an entire chapter devoted to 13 irresistible variations, this book is a celebration of cool, creamy, crowd-pleasing treats. Whether you're a longtime Magnolia fan or a home baker looking for summer dessert inspiration, you’ll love what Bobbie has to share. Things We Mention In This Episode: Register for the Build Your Author Platform workshop Magnolia Bakery Handbook of Icebox Desserts Magnolia Bakery Bobbie Lloyd @bakewithbobbie
Welcome to today’s episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! I’m delighted to be joined by Jessica Merchant, the force behind the wildly popular blog How Sweet Eats and the bestselling author of Everyday Dinners, The Pretty Dish, and Seriously Delish. Jessica is a full-time recipe developer and writer known for her down-to-earth approach, vibrant flavor combinations, and deep passion for all things food. In this episode, we dive into her newest book, Easy Everyday, and explore her tried-and-true strategies for making dinner doable, without sacrificing flavor. From her game-changing "Big 3" dinner shortcuts to her 10-Minute Meal Prep Strategy and go-to list of kitchen gear, Jessica shares how to bring ease and joy back to mealtime. She also opens up about her journey as a self-taught cook and offers valuable advice for aspiring cookbook authors looking to turn their passion into a published book. Things We Mention In This Episode: How Sweet Eats Easy Everyday by Jessica Merchant Entertaining by Martha Stewart Publish in a Day VIP Experience