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! 💗
Congrats! Looking forward to it. 🙂
Yay! Great news! Can’t WAIT to get my hands on your cookbook!
So excited!! Just had your Creamy Chicken Soup last night. It is absolutely one of our favorites! Congrats!
Congratulations!! Your recipes are incredible!!
Congrats, Mel! So proud of you! Your website pretty much taught me to cook…do you anticipate this book would be a good wedding gift or gift for a newly turned adult just learning cooking/meal planning/kitchen knowledge? I can’t wait to get one!
I am SO excited! Been following since this was just two years old and can’t wait!!! So happy for you!!! (And for me) already sent this to my husband that I expect card saying this is ordered for Christmas!!
Woo hoo!!!! SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! And for US!!! This will be a treasure!
Congratulations!!!
I’m buying this as soon as it comes out !!!!
So excited about this for you (and me)!! My family loves your recipes. You are our go-to source for dishes we can count on to be delicious. I’ve shared your site with many many friends and family. Congratulations!!
Mel, you could even come all the way out to the East Coast for a book signing and I guarantee people would come! Many congrats!
All of my dreams are coming true with this cookbook!!!!! CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on it, ALL of my family’s favorite recipes come from you ❤️. Congratulations and THANK YOU for all of the hard work that’s gone into this.
Soooooooo excited, Mel!!!!! Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait!!!!!
Best of luck with current situations. So excited for your book!!! My kids know you’re my go to place for delicious recipes!
So exciting – congratulations, Mel!
Congratulations! So exciting for you and so lucky for us! Sometimes things really do happen when they’re supposed too!
I have never been so excited for a cook book to come out! Most people search the web or Pinterest for a recipe. I always search your sight first. My whole family knows you by name and that many of our meals come from your blog. So excited for you and us
Oh my WOW!!!! This is the BEST day ever!! I can’t wait to own your cookbook!!!!! You are my number one person to go to for recipes, and have loved your recipes for over 10 years!!! I never really post anything, but I hope you know there are probably hundreds of people, like me, who sing your praises quietly from afar! I am so excited!!! Congratulations on creating a cookbook!!
So sorry to hear about Brian’s work. But hearing that you are publishing a cookbook is happy news!! Good luck with everything.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to get in on presale!
Mel! Your post brought teams to my eyes!! I love the way you share so honestly and openly and am glad your family found a way to make things work this year. I hope your book is a huge success and I cannot wait to have my own copy! I’ve been following you since October 2011 when you posted “Jelly Worms” (I was looking for fun Halloween recipes to try with my two boys). You’re an inspiration – big hugs to you and yours!
So excited you’re doing a cookbook! It is one that will be on my kitchen counter a lot. I told my best friend, who has been a follower of your blog for many years, and told me about your website in the first place. I’m sure we will both be pre-ordering your beautifully designed cookbook. Congrats Mel, so happy for you!!
Wow, I think this is absolutely wonderful! I have followed you and your delicious recipes for years. The timing is right for you, and I couldn’t be happier for you!! Congratulations!
Mel! I am so happy to hear that you FINALLY have a cookbook. I cannot think of anyone more deserving and I am so excited to reserve my very own copy! I’ve followed you since the beginning and my family will savor your lovely recipes!
Super exciting news!! I have loved every. single. recipe. I have EVER tried of yours – can’t wait for your cookbook to come out! 🙂
I love your blog and am so excited for your cookbook!
What if nobody came???? That for sure would not happen but I get it. I’m totally excited for this though! Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment!
From someone who has been cooking your recipes since my girls were babies, I could not be more excited!! I now tell my babies turned teenagers to “look on Mel’s site” when they ask to try their hand at a new dessert recipe.
Well, from all the responses you have had on this announcement, I hope you planned to have a large first printing! I’ve already told my daughters this cookbook is on my late
Christmas wishlist! Love you and your blog!
YES! I will be preordering. I’ve been a follower since the beginning and have made 100s of your recipes. I always check your website first when I need a recipe! Can’t wait to add this cookbook to my bookshelf!!!
Can’t wait for the cookbook! All your recipes work.
You have been my go to for recipes for so long I can’t even remember how I found you in the first place. I am so excited to purchase your cookbook for myself and friends and family. Congratulations!!
Can’t wait to preorder your cookbook! I’ve made every Swig Cookie variation you’ve printed, love all your recipes I’ve followed.
Congratulations, Mel! I am so happy that you were able to fulfill your dream, and I have no doubt that it will be an amazing and beautiful book. I have had your blog as a quick access icon on my phone and computer for many years – you’re my true go-to! Your recipes help me out weekly and my family and I have so many favorites. My daughter excitedly said just the other night, “it’s fall now, almost time for hug-in-a-bowl”, which is our name for your amazing smothered beef tips and mashed potatoes 🙂 I can’t wait to pre-order your book and read it cover to cover. Hugs from Wisconsin 🙂
I was hoping this was the big news!! Count me in! I have so many of your recipes on repeat!
I love this so much! Congratulations! ❤️
I am so excited!! You are my favorite blogger and I cook almost exclusively with your recipes. Because you never let me down. I love how genuine you are and I cannot wait to have your cookbook in my kitchen!
I decided years ago if you ever did a cookbook I would be first in line! I cannot tell you how excited I am. I bought the one you did for Africa years ago and I can’t wait for a hard copy of all your amazing recipes. Your recipes are my absolute favorite! Even my teenager trusts you implicitly. All I have to do is tell him it’s a mels kitchen recipe and he is all in.
Congrats Mel!
PS- I would come to your book tour. Bonus if we could all wear sweat pants!
This announcement made me smile from ear to ear. Congratulations and best wishes for the final home stretch. So happy for you!!
Ahhhh!!!! I’m so so excited for you!! This is the best news and I can’t wait to order one for everyone I know!!
I am so excited! Thank you, Mel! Just so you know, if my most favorite and most used recipes aren’t in this one, I’ll be pushing for more books! I’ll buy them all!!!!
Congratulations!! I’m thrilled for you and am so excited to have a Mel’s printed treasure. You can count on me to pre-order!
So excited to hear this good news! I use so many of your recipes on a weekly basis and can’t wait to have them in book form. Thank you for entertaining me with your wonderful farm and family tales and for keeping my family well fed and happy!
So awesome!! I have a binder of printed recipes I keep close by. I will def be buying one for myself and 3 grown children. Your recipes are great, easy, and basic! Congrats to you!!
I cannot even describe how excited I am about this announcement!
Ahh, I’m so proud of you for taking such a big step!! My first thought was, I have two binders full of your recipes, I don’t need a cookbook, but a signed copy!?! First in line. Way to go, Mel.
Well this just made my day! Your recipes are incredible and you’re a gem! Thanks for putting up with all of us for all of these years—I can’t wait to get my grubby little hands on what’s sure to become my favorite cookbook!
So excited for you and us! Can’t wait to get my hands on one!
I’m so happy for you! I ❤️