Lindsay Nixon is a chef and the author of two vegan cookbooks: The Habby Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore (and a third one is on the way: Happy Herbivore Abroad). You can follow her blog at: HappyHerbivore.com.
Q: Your second book was recently released which is another great cookbook, Everyday Happy Herbivore, and I know that you’ve been a blogger for some time now, but how did you make the jump into becoming a best-selling author? What was the process like for you?
A: You can read about how I got my first book deal here:
http://happyherbivore.com/2011/12/how-i-got-my-book-deal/
and read about my life as an author here:
http://happyherbivore.com/2011/10/how-i-make-living-hint-its-not-blogging/
I attribute all my success to my fans and their word of mouth campaign. They made me a best seller.
Q: I know what it’s like to publish a basic non-fiction book—a lot of going back and forth with editors, fix this, change this, get rid of that—but what is it like for a cookbook? Does the editor or someone at the publishing company have to try the recipes before they make it into the book? Or is that just a bonus for them?
A: I have a team of testers so by the time my publisher gets my manuscript all the recipes are fully tested and ready for print. All I do with my publisher is discuss layout, the design for the cover and my copyeditor cleans up my grammar where necessary.
Q: For those vegan and vegetarians who have recipes of their own, what tips do you recommend if they want to get their cookbook published?
A: It’s a really tough business and there’s no money in it, even if your book is a best-seller. The market is so over saturated with vegan books that you have to have a totally new idea– something that hasn’t been done yet. You also have to have a large and very supportive fan base; you need their help to get the word out about your book and you need them for a publisher to find you attractive.
It also has to be about passion — I can’t harp on that enough. It can’t be about fame or money. Most books don’t make it. Most authors don’t see much money for their work. To have a successful book, you have to work harder than you’ve ever worked and with the sobering reality that your book still might not make it — and the only way you’ll do that is if you have unrelenting passion.
For those who are really serious, check out the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents and prepare for lots of rejection.
Q: What was the hardest part of the publishing process?
A: self-doubt.
Q: What was the best part about becoming an author?
A: Knowing that my books are helping people eat better. I get to play a small part in changing peoples lives. That is the most rewarding gift of all. It’s why I do what I do.
Q: Both your books combined give us over three hundred recipes. That’s an insane amount of options, and it seems like you’ve already covered everything–there can’t be too many things that you haven’t already put in the books. So is that it, or can we expect more great recipes in the future. Anything good you’re working on now?
A: Happy Herbivore Abroad will be here December 4, 2012 and I’ve just signed on to write three more cookbooks.
Read Part One Of This Interview: Part One of an Interview with Lindsay Nixon The Happy Herbivore
