Self-Publishing: Just Do It!

by Randi Lee Levin
(Evergreen, Colorado)

Baking at High Altitude

Several years ago, I was literally whining to a friend about all the questions and recipe requests I was receiving from my customers and how I was to answer them all. He suggested that I write a cookbook, to which I responded by telling him he was "nuts", as I had no idea how to write a cookbook, better yet publish one on my own. 2 days later he introduced me to an elder woman who had been editing Cookbooks for 50 years.
Little did I know at the time, I was also introduced to my 3rd grandmother that day!

Needless to say, I wrote, tested recipes and stamped my heart, knowledge and palatable goodness on each and every page. I applied my teaching skills as well, for this cookbook was written/published to help others find culinary success in higher elevations; where the air is dry and much thinner. Without ingredient adjustments baking at high altitudes can be immensely frustrating. Cakes sink resembling a swimming pool in which the plug has been pulled, cookies come out of the oven flat and dry, muffins and breads are dry and crumbly. Experience and admiration for scrumptious, well-prepared baked treats, taught me the necessary adjustments and many wanted my secrets for success. So I wrote and published a cookbook.

I also joined an independent publishers group, (of which I highly recommend you do in your state of residence of available), entered my book into their annual contest and won. The excitement caused me to search for other contests. Many were expensive, but I eventually found one, whereby all I needed to do was fill out a form and mail off a few books. So I did so with a heart of hope!

To make a very long story short, a few months later my Baking at High Altitude Cookbook, was awarded Best First Cookbook in the World by Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. WOW! At the award ceremony in Orebro Sweden, my book was awarded by some of the top book reviewers in the world and I was schmoozing with some of the best food writers in the world. What an amazing experience, especially for a mountain gal who simply enjoys sharing the good stuff that life offers; but it gets even better (If that is possible).

Last week, Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards held a very special award ceremony at the Alte Oper House in Frankfurt Germany. The purpose of this grand event was to honor the Best of the Best Cookbooks in the World, for the past 12 years and my book was nominated once again.

On October 14th, 2008, my self-published Cookbook received an honorary mention, as one of the Best of the Best Cookbooks in the World!

In summary, if you have any inclination to write and self publish your own books; whether for enjoyment of a story or to share information: JUST DO IT! Put your heart and knowledge onto each page, check your spelling and grammar, respect your editor and send it off to print. You'll never know the response or the joys of publishing if you never try!!!!

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