A Huge Announcement (I Never Thought I’d Make)
UPDATE: Pre-orders are finally live!! Order your cookbook here. 🎉
You guys, I swore I would never, ever publish a cookbook. But it’s happening.
EEEK! It’s happening!
And I am so, so excited to tell you more about it.
The Quick Back Story
As you know, I’ve been food blogging for over 15 years. Many, many, many of my fellow food bloggers published cookbooks by the droves years (even decades) ago. Many are still publishing them.
Even though having my own cookbook has been a filed away bucket list item, I always said I would never write or publish a cookbook. Because a) lack of time and b) lack of time.
Over the years, I’ve declined offers from small publishers and fielded hundreds of questions from readers asking if I’ll ever do a cookbook. It never felt like the right time – especially with the sheer amount of work that goes into writing and publishing a cookbook.
Fast forward to earlier this year.
Brian’s position at work was eliminated and we found ourselves facing an unemployment situation we didn’t see coming. Around this time, we also had several other pretty overwhelming issues on our plate.
I was surprised in the midst of all this chaos to get a feeling that I should write a cookbook (this feeling came after talking to a dear blogging friend, Si from A Bountiful Kitchen). As I sat on that thought for a while, I realized that maybe for the first time in 15 years, despite the current stress I was feeling, it really WAS the right time.
Brian has always worked a traditional corporate job with long hours at the office, but with him unexpectedly being home more, we decided to capitalize on the extra help and time he had available to assist with kid/family life so I could take the plunge on the cookbook front, which would a) fulfill a dream of mine and b) have the cookbook sales hopefully help a bit with the loss of income (giving Brian some breathing room to figure out his next steps career-wise).
And here we are!! Seven months later, the cookbook is *almost* ready to go to print, and it is hard to believe it has actually become a reality.
It has been so much more work than I anticipated. Like, if I had known how much writing and editing and recipe testing and dirty dishes (!!) would be involved, I would have shoved that little random cookbook thought to the side and gone on my merry, stressy way.
But…it is going to be incredible. And so worth it! I know I’m biased, but it is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever beheld. Cover-to-cover, every detail is intentional and meticulously placed.
Do you want to see a sneak peek of the cover?? I just got the cover samples mailed to me this week! (It’s hard to see it in the photo, but the cover and spine have this amazing debossed effect – it in the photo – it gives the book such a unique look and feel 😍)
I promise to give a lot more details in the next few weeks and months about what the process has been like and information on what’s to come! If you are on Instagram, I’ll be sharing a lot of info in the stories there.
I also pre-emptively answered a few questions below that might help!
Mostly, I want you to know that it’s because of you that this cookbook is happening. If it weren’t for all of your support for so.many.years, I wouldn’t even have this opportunity. And for all of you who have patiently asked and asked and asked when I’ll write a cookbook, this book is *finally* for you!
Thank you for being here and for supporting me. It means more than you know. 💗💗💗
UPDATE: I’ve updated some of the information below as I get new details on the timeline!
Pre-sale will happen in November! Make sure you are subscribed to my email list – I’ll announce all the details there first!
Books will ship April 22!
Over 140 recipes! This book is solid!
Well…it definitely has a few pictures of cute pigs and farm life! 🤣
But it is mostly loaded with tons of tried-and-true recipes. Because the book is meant to be a timeless anthem to my most-loved and most-made recipes, it includes many existing recipes. But there are also brand, new recipes in the book that I cannot wait for you to try (it’s been so hard not telling you about them already – spoiler alert: the most amazing chicken tacos you’ll ever meet and a new brownie recipe that is wow, wow, wow!).
Yes, there is a photo with every single recipe! And many of the photos are brand new, updated, and (I don’t want to toot my own horn here) really quite lovely. Additionally, there are photos of farm life, kitchen life, and maybe even one of me hiding in the pantry eating chocolate chips. 😬
Unless the book tour consists of me wearing sweatpants and a hoodie and greeting everyone in my back pasture with the cows and pigs, likely, no. I’m too much of a homebody for a book tour (also: what if no one came??), BUT, I will have some special advanced, signed copies available. More details to come on that!
I am working out the details for this, but it is proving to be quite tricky to get reasonable rates for international shipping as a small business. If you are interested in international shipping, I’ll set up a way for you to contact me directly for a custom quote!
Thank you so much for your genuine kindness and support! 💗
I must admit this news has occupied my thoughts much more than it probably should. Random times throughout the day and night I find myself wondering what will it look like, what recipes will be included, when can I get it and how much will it cost also how many should I order ( for gifts). I have even wondered who shall inherit my copy. I am excited and thank you Mel for all your hard work
Yay, I am so excited!! I have followed you and used your recipes for years, all of my families favorites are from you! It’s even a running joke, when my husband asks where I found a recipe and then answers his own question 5 second later. ‘Let me guess, Mel?’.
I can’t wait to buy my copy.
Congratulations to you, Mel!
Yay!! Judging by the amount of comments, it looks like you made a lot of people happy!! Congratulations! I’m sure the cookbook will be amazing!!
Amazing! I can’t wait to preorder copies for my mom and I! Congratulations!
I can’t wait to own this and bookmark the crap out of it. Congrats, Mel!
I have followed you for lots of years. I love your recipes! I tell friends about your wonderful recipes. I cannot wait! So excited for you!
So excited for you and can’t wait to buy the book!❣️
So excited for this! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Thank YOU for inviting us into your lives and sharing all of your tasty recipes over the years! You are so deserving of this cookbook!
Well done, Mel! Well done! I am so happy for you!
Yay! I am so excited about this! I have been following you, and making your amazing recipes for over 10 years! I am so very excited to hold your book in my hands! Congratulations!
I am so excited! And I am so so sorry about Brian getting laid off. How is the job hunt going? This economy is ROUGH. Even though I am so very thankful that Dan has such a stable career, we’ve seen an almost 50% pay cut since he started. We are at a loss as to what’s going on. You guys find something even better. But I think this is such a great start! I’m so stoked for you, and you better believe we’ll be ordering. Love you long time Mel!♥️ And I’ll tell you what, life can be freaken hard, devastating, beautiful, exhilarating, confusing, all the things. And we’re here for it!
Is pre-ordering available?
Mel I am so excited for you! Such a bummer about Brian’s job though! I’m sorry your family has had that trial heaped on you. But I am positive you guys will be blessed and something great will happen. Who would have ever thought that Brian losing a job would lead to you finally doing a book?!
The book is gorgeous! And even if every single recipe was one I already have printed out from your blog, and in one of my plastic pages and binders, I would absolutely still buy one!
I’m actually the most excited to be able to give it for wedding gifts!
I have nieces and nephews getting married right and left, and every time I get invited to a bridal shower and the host asks to share your favorite recipes for the new bride, I’m like, just let me write a note and say Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.
Congrats Mel, you are amazing!!
Love this comment. And what a fantastic idea giving them as wedding gifts! I’ll be buying many! Mel’s blog literally changed my life, and the life of my family!♥️
Congrats! Can’t wait to have all of your amazing recipes in a beautiful book instead of my ugly binder and protective pages! Ha.
Wow, what an accomplishment! You are such a gift to your community, both your town and your digital world. Keep going!
I’m so excited! I usually don’t buy cookbooks, either, but I’ll be buying yours as soon as it’s available. One for me and each of my daughters. I’m so glad you have a picture for every recipe. I hate cookbooks without pictures. It makes it a guessing game to what it is.
So happy for you! When I’m looking for a recipe, I always start with your blog. Not a cookbook buyer but will definitely buy yours!
Mel I’m literally so excited about this. I’ve been following your blog for a good 8 years now. Ever since I got married. I don’t buy cookbooks often because I always end up disappointed. It’s never anything realistic. I have a lot of your recipes printed. I hope you stick to your tried and true because that’s what’s kept me around all this time. Can’t wait for more details!!! Wohooo!!!
Congratulations! I love your writing style and humor as well as your recipes. I always come to your site when I need a recipe for something! Your cookbook is going to a hit. Wish you were doing a book event- I live in the Boise area and would love to meet you in person!!
Congratulations Mel!! That’s amazing. I rarely buy cookbooks because there’s souch online, but yours is definitely one I would buy. I’ve been using your recipes for nearly my entire marriage. You have taught me so much!
Yay!!! I just told my husband that I have to buy it and he was like “Well yeah, if it has all the recipes we love, then we have no choice.” My birthday is in March so thank you for the birthday gift in advance.
I’ve been a fan of yours for at least 10 years and come to your site first to find new recipes! I am so excited for you!! My birthday is in a few weeks and I told my husband, “I know what I want for my birthday!!!” Lol! Can’t wait for presale!!!
Hello! Best news ever! And HA! To “what if no one came”. Don’t be offering book tours in your back pasture unless you mean it because it will be a stampede! I’m so happy to hear this. Thank you for forging ahead through the editing and dishes. I am sooo looking forward to February now!
How exciting! I never made the connection that your name was actually Melanie, haha! Thanks for making my kitchen into “Mol’s Kitchen Cafe”, you never let us down over here!
Yay!!!! I’m so so excited for this news!
Mel, I am beyond excited for you and for me! This is wonderful news, and I can’t wait to order a copy. I’m so happy there are a lot of your blog recipes in the book, and it will be fun to see and try out the new ones. Thank you to your amazing husband for all he did to make this happen for us. Congratulations. And the cover (and you) is beautiful!
I found you roughly about when you started and you are the only blogger I still follow / turn to for reliably DELICIOUS food. Seriously – I have never once been disappointed in a recipe. I have been telling myself ‘no more hardcopy’ cookbooks, but this is a definite exception! Will be purchasing asap. Well done, you. Can’t wait to see it.
OMG SO Excited. Congrats!
What a happy day! Your recipes have been the most reliable for my family. I am not normally a cookbook buyer, but I am excited to get my hands on yours.
Yay! Yay! Yay! This will replace my recipe binder that is basically full of your recipes anyways!
Mel,
Great excitement about your announced cookbook. Congratulations!!!.
You said you had signed copies. I would like to request a signed copy for my purchase. Please let me know the cost and I will get it to you.
Thank you for the baking.
James WIlliams
jmwllms@yahoo.com
Best news ever!! Congratulations, I can’t wait to get a copy!! I’ve been living in fear that some day the internet would go alway and I’d have absolutely no idea what or how to make anything this is most certainly will ease my fears!!
I am so happy for you! Congratulations on this big achievement!
Yay! This was the news I was hoping for! Can’t wait to get my copy!
So excited for you! Your recipes are recipes I know I can count on!
Mel!!! This is fantastic news!! I am so thrilled for you, but mostly for me (haha) because of how much I want and need your recipes in print. They have always been my go-to as a married woman these last 15 years. You’re brave and so inspiring for jumping into doing something scary and new. Yay!
Thank you for all your time throughout the years that you have given to help me become a better cook! Your account is my go to. I for sure will be wanting a few cook books! Congrats!
Congratulations!!! This is the best news!!! I will definitely be ordering your cookbook! Thank you!!!
I am beyond EXCITED!! I have been waiting impatiently for you to change your mind on writing a cookbook!! Congratulations!!
This is a horrible economy and many of us are struggling (through no fault of our own) but this is a great idea. Out of all my food blogs yours is my favorite and your recipes are reliable. I really hope you are successful and other people struggling are able to get back to normal.
I’m so excited to buy your new book! I’ve printed and used your recipes for nearly all your 15 blogging years and I want to support you and have what I know will be a gorgeous and well-used book. Thank you so much for ALL your recipes!!
I. CANNOT. WAIT!
I will definitely buy!! We have been using your recipes for over 12 years! I can’t wait to financially compensate you even just a little bit by buying, not to mention loving having your recipes in a book!! Huge congrats to you!!!!
YEAH!! I’ll definitely be ordering your cookbook also! I’m a HUGE fan of your website and it’s where I get almost all of my recipes from!! Thank you for putting it together! Will you also be selling a digital copy along with the hard copy?
I am soooo excited for your cookbook! I will definitely be buying it. Every recipe I have tried from your page has been great. It’s nice to have a reliable (and entertaining) source for recipes! 🙂
YAY!! Congratulations, Mel! Can’t wait for my copy. February can’t come soon enough.
Wow! Congratulations, Melanie Gunnell Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Congrats!! I have been making your recipes for YEARS. You are always my go to when I’m looking up a new recipe. I can’t wait to get your cookbook! I’m so excited!
Heck yes!!! Been here since you started and CANNOT wait to have your cook book!! So excited and so proud!!!
So excited for you!!!! You never know where life will take you!!! Never say never to a cookbook!!!! I will definitely be buying one!!!
Congratulations Mel! Can’t wait to get my cookbook.