It’s time for ‘That Time I Wrote a Cookbook” part three! In the first installment, I told you all about everything that led up to the book happening, and in the second installment I told you all about the people who involved in bringing the book to life.
This time I’m going to fill you in on all the other stuff. The scary stuff, the fun stuff, the unexpected stuff. It might get weird. Won’t you join me?
First of all, and let’s start with the obvious: creating The Sugar Hit cookbook is, the coolest, most fun, scariest and most personal thing I’ve ever done. A lot of people asked me how I made sure that the book was unique, and worthwhile. Well, the truth is that I’ve been bursting to share my recipes, and my food attitude with EVERYONE for literally years.
Since I was in highschool, I have had a folder on my computer entitled ‘cookbook ideas’. And my ethos towards food, and the thing that drove the whole book for me from the very start, was that food should be FUN. Life is fun, and we’re here for so short a time, I just want to dive into it like a bowl full of jelly and swim around! My enthusiasm on this topic knows no bounds, and it’s what The Sugar Hit! cookbook is choc-full of.
The idea of maximum joy is what is behind every single recipe in the book, and I feel confident that WHOEVER picks it up will find SOMETHING inside it’s pages that will put a big, goofy smile on their face.
But having said that, was it still an incredibly scary thing to do? HELL YES. I am a cookbook lover. I know what makes a good cookbook, since I’ve got about 300 of them (that’s not an exaggeration). I adore them, but I also know that the ones that really stick, the ones that really count for something, are the ones which seem to have a piece of the author inside them. And that’s not an easy thing to do.
So in this book, I tried to really make it for myself. Does that sound crazy? I just thought that if I could make a book that would check all of my boxes for having a strong voice, a fun point of view, bonkers-cool recipes, and plenty of personal, individual insight, then that was really the best I could do. Oh, and I tested all the recipes like a gosh darn demon, because I can’t stand the idea of one of my recipes failing you.
Basically, I want this book to be a big chunk of happiness. Buttery, chocolate-coated, stack-o-pancakes, ice cream sundae happiness. And I think I did it. I hope I did it! It was all for you!
As if the idea of pouring myself into a book and then trying to sell it wasn’t enough, this whole process was scary and insane for other reasons as well. I mean, I’m 24. I’ve probably got more business experience that most other 24 year olds – I’ve held my own in high-stakes meetings, and worked on very expensive projects, but this was the first time I’d done any of that for myself.
It’s different when it’s for you and only you. It means more. So, interstate business meetings? Terrifying! Negotiations? I was packing it! Even working with a team was weird! I mean, the folks at Hardie Grant are exceptionally lovely, but for the past 2 years it’s been me all by myself here at The Sugar Hit. It was a learning curve!
As scary, and confronting, and challenging as it was (sorry to sound cliched) but I really wouldn’t trade the experiences and the things I’ve learned for all the world. From what I now know about what it takes to put a book together, to traveling by myself for the first time (loved it, Melbourne, please adopt me), to meeting all the incredible people I got to meet, it really was the best thing I’ve ever experienced.
And truly, having a hard copy in my hands is the coolest effing thing.
So there you have it. That’s what it’s like to literally have your childhood dream come true. In my case, it was and still is, flipping amazing! I’m grinning like a moron right now, and I really can’t wait for you all to get your copy so I can hear what you think!
And if you haven’t pre-ordered yet, you can do so wherever books are sold, like these guys: Amazon – Book Depository – Booktopia – Dymocks – Barnes and Noble. Have a brilliant week! And as always, if you want to know anything at all about the process, hit me up in the comments, because I’m an open book.
xx Sarah.
So exciting! I love hearing about the process of a cookbook, can’t wait to get the book!
Thanks Deepa!
Omg omg I’m so excited!!!! I love your blog with all the desserts and sweets and I can’t imagine how amazingly awesome this cookbook is gonna be!!! :D
I hope you like it!!
Yay yay yay!!! I’m beyond excited to check out your new book; I know it’s gonna be amazing and 100% you all the way.
I hope so! xx Sarah
eeeeee I know your cookbook is gonna be the best ever! I love your vision-food should be JOYous!
Couldn’t agree more lovely!
So impressed with your stamina and attention to detail. And I really love this little series…makes me feel like we’re coming along on the cookbook-ride. Congrats on such an achievement, I cannot WAIT to read your whole book!
Thank you so much Becca! I really hope you like it!
xx
I’m so excited for this book, and also… WHAT is that beans & rice dish!? Looks amaze.
Yaaay! Thanks Amber – and to be honest, I really don’t know! A couple of bloggers took me out to dinner in Melbourne to this amazing vegetarian Moroccan restaurant and they just brought out a bunch of food – everything was amazing!
I think this is incredible, Sarah! doing this cookbook for yourself is a great way to go into the process, I think. I love how colorful and fun it is and bursting with your personality! How rewarding! Congrats!
Thanks Nicole! May I say that I cannot wait to get my hands on the Dula Notes cookbook that I’m sure can’t be too far away! xx Sarah
Sarah! Gosh, I loved reading this. I’m so over the moon happy for you and can’t wait to get a copy for mah shelf.
Sarah! I love your cookbook checklist … This post has inspired me for when I start up on my cake book again … It feels so daunting … To make something authentic and original, fun and entertaining … I’m really excited to get a copy of yours in the mail!! Xo
I will be first in line to get a copy of your book, lady! FIRST IN LINE! xx
Just putting yourself out there blogging can be stressful enough, I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be as exposed, for want of a better word, as you have to be to write a great book…
Huge congrats on having the guts to do it, and I can’t wait to see the result!
Thanks Beck – I think you worded that perfectly. Vulnerability, yo! It’s hard!