WHEN Tuesday, January 13, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info

Course Details

With thousands of cookbook proposals submitted to publishers each year, how can you make certain that yours will stand out? Will it get you that signed contract? In this one-night workshop, veteran cookbook publisher Harriet Bell will share the elements necessary for putting together a proposal that sells. Learn what publishers are looking for in a proposal and in a potential author, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Compare a well-written recipe versus a poorly written one. Find out which descriptive adjectives are overused and ineffective.

In this intensive one night workshop -- limited to 12 students -- participants are encouraged to bring in a summary of their cookbook concept and a sample recipe with headnote to be workshopped in class.

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Instructor Bio

Harriet Bell's Courses

Harriet Bell was most recently Vice President and Publisher of William Morrow Cookbooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Prior to joining Morrow in February, 2000, she was Vice President, Executive Editor at Broadway Books for four years, where she developed Broadway's award-winning cookbook program. She has edited books by Deborah Madison, Patricia Wells, Cheryl and Bill Jamison, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Emeril Lagasse, Mark Bittman, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, Leslie Sbrocco, Patti LaBelle, Tom Douglas and Mimi Sheraton.

She now has her own literary consultancy, Bell, Book and Handle (www.bellbookandhandle.com).

Testimonials

Harriet was absolutely terrific. She was realistic and no-nonsense about the challenges facing us in cookbook publishing industry, but never discouraged us. It was highly instructive to workshop our ideas. All of us came away with invaluable tools. -- Dori Fern

"Harriet is a complete professional and has set out the rules of the industry in a very comprehensive manner. You will have a revised notion of what is expected of you and a better idea of how to proceed. -- Phyllis Segura, Cooking on the River, a personal chef service

"Take this class if you have any level of interest in writing; it will help you focus your ideas and craft your book's concept." -- Michele Pistone

"Harriet isn't just an instructor, she's a champion for your ideas." -- Diane Byrne

"Harriet offered ideas, made suggestions, was supportive and offered critical suggestions." -- Dave Martin

"Harriet and the other students helped me come up with a great cookbook proposal, which I will not share at this moment. You'll have to check your bookstores in about 12 to 18 months to find out!" -- joseph Silva