Not So Secret Agent is an email newsletter all about the inside scoop on cookbook publishing from senior literary agent, Sally Ekus (that’s me!). Make sure we never miss the chance to connect.
Dear Not So Secret Agent readers,
July kicks off today, which means that we are in full summer mode here in Western Mass. Maybelline has gone from cautiously jumping into my arms in the pool to full on independent cannonballs. Thank you swim lessons (and grandma for taking her!).
Watching Maybs work with an expert instructor to learn a new skill reminds me how important it is to share expertise when helping someone reach the next level.
This newsletter was created to offer information to aspiring and established authors who are looking to continue to hone their cookbook writing skills. Over the course of the rest of the year, I will be rolling out a limited series of skill-building AMAs for paid readers. The first was announced in last week’s newsletter and is coming up on July 30th.
***Not So Secret Agent Side Note: For those readers who are here for the non-culinary publishing information, not to worry, this newsletter will continue to have general publishing info that is packed with insight for you too!***
On July 30th from 1-2:30ET, join me and Afton Cyrus, a freelance food editor and recipe developer, for an essential NSSA RECIPE AMA Skill Building Session!
What: Recipe AMA with Offer & Ask Session
When: July 30th from 1-2:30ET (deadline to “register” aka upgrade your subscription is July 28th at 12ET)
Where: on Zoom (recording provided after)
Who: special guest Afton Cyrus and yours truly
The first hour will be an overview of recipe writing, development, and testing. Afton will speak for a little bit, and then we will open it up for you to ask all your burning recipe-related questions!
During the last 30 mins, I will facilitate an OFFER & ASK networking session. This is your opportunity to either make an offer to someone in our virtual room to help support their work, or to make an ask of those who might be in a position to help you with a specific career goal. Come with a generous and abundant mindset, whatever this means to you.
The first time I did an OFFER & ASK was during our April AMA and it was a massive success. As a reminder, all paying subscribers have access to this 90-minute zoom session so you can still watch if you can’t attend live. Or rewatch whenever you want!
Please note that the OFFER & ASK session is NOT specific to recipe writing, so feel free to come for the whole 90 mins and participate in whatever part feels aligned with how you want to show up.
July’s NSSA RECIPE AMA event is reserved exclusively for paying readers to ensure that those most engaged in professional development are in the same room. Registration for the event closes at noon ET on July 28th. All paying subscribers will get an email with the Zoom info by Tuesday the 29th.
As always, if you do not have the means to upgrade your subscription and would like to attend, please contact me for an equity spot, no questions asked. And yes, people take me up on this all the time so please drop me a line so you can participate in this AMA!
To “register” you must upgrade your subscription to this newsletter. Yes, you could upgrade for just July and then cancel the $8/month charge later. I mean, would I be bummed? Yes, but I would also get it. A bottle of sunscreen costs about $8 these days –summer is expensive.
Want to join? Upgrade your subscription HERE.
Afton Cyrus is a freelance food editor and recipe developer based in coastal Maine. Afton began her food writing career at America's Test Kitchen, where she developed and edited recipe content for nearly two dozen cookbooks, including many which became New York Times bestsellers and received multiple IACP awards. She has since gone on to work on cookbooks for Ten Speed Press and Rebel Girls, and her food writing and recipes appear online for Serious Eats, The Kitchn, and King Arthur Baking Company. Today, she is a recipe editor for Simply Recipes and a food blogger at The Reader’s Kitchen, where she specializes in creating inventive and engaging recipe content for kids and book lovers of all ages.
Another important announcement:
While the NSSA Skill Building sessions are reserved for paying subscribers, all readers have a shot at being randomly chosen for a HUFF & PUFF convo.
What the heck is a “Huff & Puff”? It’s when I head outside for a brisk walk and call one reader for a 20-min 1-1 conversation. This is not a time to formally pitch me, but it is a way to get insights on your platform, book idea, or just generally to have a chance to ask me questions that pertain to your specific work.
CLICK HERE to join the Substack Chat forum, and keep an eye out for new threads that I title HUFF & PUFF. The readers that I choose are at random and this opportunity is open to any/all NSSA readers.
Okay, that’s enough business for today. Time to take advantage of the “slower” week in publishing by reading three client proposals, drafting my summer client letter, and chasing the editors who still haven’t read the two projects I have out on submission.
Stay cool,
~Sally~
Happy July, Sally! Thanks for all you do to help us learn and grow. I’m so excited for this!
Congrats to Maybs! It always (and still does) made my mama heart so happy when one of my kiddos achieved something new. Thanks Sally for your valuable insight and advice!