News
The Final Two in the “So You Want to Write a Cookbook” Contest are. Please join us on March 25th, 2013 from 1-2pm EST for a Twitter Chat with the two finalists. The winner will be announced on March 27, 2013:
- Jeanne Fratello @JollyTomato POD “Tag-Team Cooking” unique b/c recipes divided into distinct roles for two people – maximum taste in minimum time. #SignMeSal @SallyEkus
https://twitter.com/JollyTomato/status/312608256897974274 - Ashley Bee @AshleyBeeCooks @SallyEkus #signmesal POD The average cookbook wont tell you which recipe is best for breakups layoffs & $0 bank accounts. This foodoir will
https://twitter.com/AshleyBeeCooks/status/312551065323188224
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Lisa Ekus Group
www.Facebook.com/TheLisaEkusGroup
www.Twitter.com/LisaEkus
www.lisaekus.com
March 2013
Contact: Corinne Fay
The Lisa Ekus Group
413.247.9325
Corinne@lisaekus.com
TO MARKET:
A Media Skills Seminar for Culinary Professionals
Hatfield, MA – A brilliant food writer or talented chef may be able to whip up a perfect soufflé or write a recipe header that will move readers to tears – but can he or she do that in front of a camera while answering questions from a host and hitting all the right message points all in less than three minutes? A masterful media appearance takes skill and practice which The Lisa Ekus Group offers through their media training program. A special seminar on May 21, 2013 in Hatfield, MA will bring together a group of 12 culinary professionals to sharpen their skills by learning from veteran media trainer Lisa Ekus, who has worked with hundreds of culinary personalities including Padma Lakshmi, Rebecca Lang, Sara Moulton, and Emeril Lagasse.
Designed specifically for culinary professionals, the seminar will teach you how to bring your cooking, writing, and speaking skills to the media in order to promote yourself or your brand and make a good impression. The day-long seminar will cover message points and blocking out the set, what to wear and how to communicate with the host, body language, refining message points, and how to do both hosted and solo camera appearances. Each participant will have the opportunity to tape a short segment and review it with the group. This hands-on practice will build on-camera confidence and will help to present the best face of the author or brand.
WHO: Whether you have an upcoming appearance on Good Morning America or Good Day Atlanta, you’re looking to put some videos up on YouTube, you want to do live demos and appearances, or you just want to feel more comfortable with media opportunities, this course will give you the edge you need.
WHAT: A day-long media skills seminar limited to 12 participants at the cost of $695 per person. The group setting allows trainees to network and share with industry colleagues while gaining skills and confidence at a significantly discounted rate. Extensive handouts covering the day’s topics will be provided to all attendees.
WHERE: In the studio / kitchen space of The Lisa Ekus Group in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Hatfield is about 45 minutes from Bradley Airport in Hartford, CT and 3 hours from New York City. Transportation and lodging are not included, but we can provide recommendations for both.
WHEN: 9am – 5pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.
HOW: To register contact Corinne Fay at 413.247.9325 or Corinne@lisaekus.com. Register before April 1st, 2013 and receive the earlybird discount price of $595. Beverages and lunch will be provided.
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TO MARKET is a new series of skill seminars that focus on building your brand, marketing your talent, and strengthening your platform.
LISA EKUS is the founder of The Lisa Ekus Group, LLC, a full-service culinary agency specializing in “promoting a world of culinary talent.” Based in Western Massachusetts, she oversees four core divisions of her company: literary agenting, spokesperson/endorsement representation, media training, and public relations strategy. She has trained a wide variety of clients, from chefs to CEOs to authors. For a full list of trainees, visit http://lisaekus.com/media-training/media-training-clients/
THE LISA EKUS GROUP is a full-service culinary agency. We provide media training, public relations, consulting, and literary agency services to the world of culinary talent. It is our belief that a vibrant culinary industry is the result of many voices, and so we strive to support and promote chefs, cookbook authors, food writers, and photographers. For more information, please visit www.lisaekus.com .
The Final Four in the “So You Want to Write a Cookbook” Contest are:
- Jeanne Fratello @JollyTomato POD “Tag-Team Cooking” unique b/c recipes divided into distinct roles for two people – maximum taste in minimum time. #SignMeSal @SallyEkus
https://twitter.com/JollyTomato/status/312608256897974274 - Ashley Bee @AshleyBeeCooks @SallyEkus #signmesal POD The average cookbook wont tell you which recipe is best for breakups layoffs & $0 bank accounts. This foodoir will
https://twitter.com/AshleyBeeCooks/status/312551065323188224 - Marnely Rguez-Murray @nella22 Cookbooks now focus on styling, tools, etc., not weathered hands making them. Spotlight will be on REAL hands, stories & recipes #signmesal
https://twitter.com/nella22/status/312681882238214144 - Nikki Gardner @artandlemons POD Unique spin on homemade to go (quick recipes, tips, photos, & travelogues), real food made simple for adventure lovin’ folks #signmesal
https://twitter.com/artandlemons/status/313042459280175104
Top 8 contestants in the So You Want to Write a Cookbook Contest will move on to the next round by tweeting their promotional ideas. The elite eight are:
- Jeanne Fratello @JollyTomato POD “Tag-Team Cooking” unique b/c recipes divided into distinct roles for two people – maximum taste in minimum time. #SignMeSal @SallyEkus
https://twitter.com/JollyTomato/status/312608256897974274
- Ashley Bee @AshleyBeeCooks @SallyEkus #signmesal POD The average cookbook wont tell you which recipe is best for breakups layoffs & $0 bank accounts. This foodoir will
https://twitter.com/AshleyBeeCooks/status/312551065323188224
- Marnely Rguez-Murray @nella22 Cookbooks now focus on styling, tools, etc., not weathered hands making them. Spotlight will be on REAL hands, stories & recipes #signmesal
https://twitter.com/nella22/status/312681882238214144
- Kara Martin Snyder @vitalcorps POD Eschews eat this not that dogma & presents DIY skills w/panache. More laughs & pathos than most GI books by a coach/chef. #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/vitalcorps/status/312974949256138752
- carlye wisel @carlyewisel A cookbook for the type who owns ten but never touches one, Lazy Girl reassures that cooking doesnt have to be a pain in the ass #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/carlyewisel/status/312681134075027456
- Vivian Savares @IslandgirlOK POD @SallyEkus #SignMeSal Where There’s Smoke: This book will teach techniques to smoke, grill, or roast at home no matter what your budget.
https://twitter.com/IslandgirlOK/status/312681190987534337
- Susan Pridmore @wimpyvegetarian Meathead loves veghead: can this marriage survive? Meal plans 2 simplify life + flavor 2 satisfy both palates 4 harmony @ dinner. #signmesal
https://twitter.com/wimpyvegetarian/status/312682278742528000
- Nikki Gardner @artandlemons
POD Unique spin on homemade to go (quick recipes, tips, photos, & travelogues), real food made simple for adventure lovin’ folks #signmesal
https://twitter.com/artandlemons/status/313042459280175104
Here, in no particular order, are the 16 Finalists in the So You Want to Write a Cookbook Contest:
- Nikki Gardner @artandlemons @SallyEkus Road Trip Recipes—diy market pickles, parking lot s’mores, camp stove calzones. Comfort foods made fresh for any trip. #signmesal
https://twitter.com/artandlemons/status/311863215736885249 - Ted Maclin @d0g3n @SallyEkus Iron in the Belly, Fire in the John: Dangerously Good Recipes for the Modern Man #signmesal
https://twitter.com/d0g3n/status/311678532654878720 - Marnely Rguez-Murray @nella22 #signmesal – “Hands”: photography of cook/baker hands making specific recipe by hand. #art #food
https://twitter.com/nella22/status/311656576400375808 - Vivian Savares @IslandgirlOK @LisaEkus Where there’s smoke: Recipes and techniques, to smoke, grill, and roast, without leaving your kitchen #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/IslandgirlOK/status/311586517795627008 - Lauren Heineck @Jamon_y_Vino @SallyEkus “The Young Farmers Cookbook” recipes, inspiration, beautiful photos from those who sought out or returned to the land #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/Jamon_y_Vino/status/311576615916277763 - Meghan J Splawn @megjsplawn @SallyEkus: “Chickens Don’t Have Fingers: Culinary fables for feeding children from farm to table.” #signmesal
https://twitter.com/megjsplawn/status/311572896990515200 - Jeanne Fratello @JollyTomato “Tag-Team Cooking” – a cookbook for couples juggling a busy schedule; divides recipes into tasks for two. @SallyEkus #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/JollyTomato/status/311540746450788352 - rabbitfoodrocks @rabbitfoodrocks @SallyEkus Carcass-Free Cooking: vegetarian recipes with hilarious anecdotes (from a not-so-serious kitchen) #signmesal
https://twitter.com/rabbitfoodrocks/status/311516703609724928 - Cheyanne Bronzell @phatgirlzcookin Crazy,Sexy, Cool and Oh, so Phat Girlz Flavor. Feel Good in your skin and your kitchen. Big Girlz rule the world!!! @SallyEkus #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/phatgirlzcookin/status/311442189236436992 - carlye wisel @carlyewisel @SallyEkus A Lazy Girl’s Guide To Cooking: Stupid-Easy Meals To Make When Incredibly Hungry & Trying To Impress Fancy Friends #signmeSal
https://twitter.com/carlyewisel/status/311199935645249536 - Susan Pridmore @wimpyvegetarian The new mixed marriage. Great meals 2 satisfy meat eaters & vegetarians @ the table w/o driving yrself crazy in the kitchen. #signmesal
https://twitter.com/wimpyvegetarian/status/311159229618737153 - Marcia Sivek @zayarum @SallyEkus #signmesal Combination nutrition and cookbook for vegetarian teens. How to become a healthy vegetarian. Vegeteenism
https://twitter.com/zayarum/status/311149303878021120 - Kara Martin Snyder @vitalcorps How to Stop S%*!&ing Your Pants & Other Skills for The Modern Woman: Riotous stories illuminating post-modern nutrition in action #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/vitalcorps/status/311139767330942976 - Ashley Bee @AshleyBeeCooks @SallyEkus #signmesal life advice for lost 20-somethings with recipes designed to save your sanity while you’re trying to figure it all out.
https://twitter.com/AshleyBeeCooks/status/311119675171954688 - Jason Bahamundi @CookTrainEatRce My Cookbook Concept: Plant-Based Cooking For The Endurance Athlete With Little Time Or Money To Cook. #SignMeSal
https://twitter.com/CookTrainEatRce/status/311054025162362880 - Gregory Schaefer @gvocal: #SignMeSal FOOD WHORE 69 sexy food tales and recipes from randy chefs to inflame the passions and get you Kitchen Laid
https://twitter.com/gvocal/status/311943305850150913
The Lisa Ekus Group
February 2013
Contact: Sally Ekus
The Lisa Ekus Group
413.247.9325
Sally@lisaekus.com / @SallyEkus
So You Want to Write a Cookbook?
Culinary Agency Seeks to Sign New Talent via Twitter
Hatfield, MA – So you want to write a cookbook? Do you have a food blog and dream of being published? Have you ever been standing over a big pot of stew at the stove and had the perfect idea for a cookbook pop into your head? Now is your chance.
The Lisa Ekus Group, a culinary agency that recently celebrated 31 years in business, is seeking new talent through a Twitter contest. Inspired by the March Madness basketball tournament, the contest will ask anyone who wants to write a cookbook to pitch their best culinary non-fiction ideas to @SallyEkus via 140-character (or less) tweets to #SignMeSal from March 11 -13, 2013. On March 14th, 2013, the finalists will be chosen to participate in the playoffs and entries will be whittled down in subsequent days. Like the March Madness basketball tournament, 16 finalists will enter the playoffs. Remaining participants will then be asked to round out their proposals with further tweets that cover standard proposal elements, such as the book’s point of differentiation, the author’s promotional ideas, and the author’s credentials. The last two finalists will join Literary Agent Sally Ekus in a Twitter chat on March 25, 2013 to discuss their ideas as well as ask questions about agency representation and cookbook publishing in general. Contestants, who were previously eliminated, as well as the greater Twitter community, will be encouraged to join the Twitter chat to ask questions of the final two contenders. A single winner will be chosen and then work with agent Sally Ekus to develop a fleshed out proposal to pitch to editors at publishing houses.
The contest calendar is as follows:
March 11th-13th, 2013: Tweet your cookbook concept to #SignMeSal
March 14th, 2013: @SallyEkus will tweet the 16 cookbook concept playoff contenders
March 15th, 2013: The winning 16 will tweet once what their Point of Differentiation (How is this concept different from what already exists in the market?) is to #SignMeSal
March 18th, 2013: 8 winners will be announced by @SallyEkus and will proceed to the next round
March 19th, 2013: The 8 winners of the last round will tweet 3 promotional ideas for how they intend to promote their book once it is published.
March 20th, 2013: 4 winners from the promotional idea round will be announced by @SallyEkus
March 21st, 2013: The 4 winners of the promotional idea round will tweet their answer to the final question, “Why me? Why am I the person to write this book?” in up to three tweets to #SignMeSal
March 22nd, 2013: Two finalists will be announced by @SallyEkus
March 25th, 2013: @SallyEkus will host a Twitter chat from 1-2pm EST to ask the finalists questions about their concepts and backgrounds. This will also be a chance for the two finalists to ask questions about agent representation and The Lisa Ekus Group, as well as a time for people following the contest to weigh in with their own questions. The finalists should come to the chat prepared to answer questions such as “What does platform mean to me?” and “I want to write this book because…”
March 27th, 2013: One winner will be announced by @SallyEkus
Interested parties should pitch any idea related to food, health, wellness, and cooking. You may be previously published, but you may not be currently represented by another literary agency. The Lisa Ekus Group is looking for fresh voices, new ideas, and untapped talent. “I am looking for someone who can get their ideas across succinctly, in 140 characters or less,” said Sally Ekus. “The Tweet is the new elevator pitch.”
Contest rules can be found HERE.
The Lisa Ekus Group is a full-service culinary agency. We provide media training, strategic public relations planning, consulting, and literary agency services to the world of culinary talent. It is our belief that a vibrant culinary industry is the result of many voices, and so we strive to support and promote chefs, cookbook authors, food writers, and photographers.
Chef Kevin Gillespie will appear as an animated character this Thursday (2/7/2013) on Archer on FX.
Chef instructor, recipe tester, and author of the forthcoming Pretzels at Home, Andrea Slonecker’s PUT AN EGG ON IT, offering tips, techniques, and recipes to transform dishes by adding an egg and turning them into a complete meal; with over 80 recipes, from chicken eggs to duck and quail eggs, to Amy Treadwell at Chronicle, for publication in spring 2013, by Sally Ekus of Lisa Ekus Group.
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Founder of a gluten-free product company, food editor of Living Without magazine, and cookbook author Beth Hillson’s untitled book, answering questions about gluten-free dating, dispeling myths about cross-contamination, and even teaching parents how to educate children’s peers and parents, to Renee Sedliar at Da Capo, for publication in spring 2014, by Sally Ekus and Lisa Ekus.
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Food photographer and creator of the blog The Year in Food Kimberley Hasselbrink’s VIBRANT: A Celebration of Color and Food, bringing together her passion for the season’s best produce and her deep love of color; offering a dynamic approach to cooking driven by color and flavor, to Lisa Westmoreland at Ten Speed Press, for publication in spring 2014, by Sally Ekus of Lisa Ekus Group.
Lisa Ekus and Virginia Willis will be doing a media skills seminar at FoodBlogSouth 2013! More info about the seminar here and use the code “LisaVA” to get a 10% discount on registration!
The Lisa Ekus Group is proud to announce the sale of Bake and Destroy blogger Natalie Slater’s BAKE AND DESTROY, a collection of pop culture-inspired recipes ranging from French Toast Donuts to Nacho Cupcakes to The Derzerker (a pie baked inside a cake and topped with cookies); a cookbook for people who party in their kitchens and including meat-free unique takes on comfort food along with quirky serving suggestions and printable DIY cupcake decorations, to William Kiester at Page Street, for publication in June 2013, by Sally Ekus of Lisa Ekus Group.
The Lisa Ekus Group is proud to announce the sale of Paleo cookbook authors Charles Mayfield and Julie Mayfield‘s untitled book, offering Paleo novices and devotees alike a collection of quick-and-easy recipes featuring sought-after favorites and comfort foods made Paleo-friendly and gluten-free; the emphasis is on quick cooking and easy meal assembly with over 125 recipes, many of which can be made in under 30 minutes, to Sarah Peltz at Harlequin, for publication in October 2013, by Sally Ekus.
The Lisa Ekus Group is excited to be working with The Food in My Beard! Check out Dan’s blog for crave-worthy recipes like homemade Choco Tacos, Burgers & Fries sliders, and Honey Nut Cereal Milk Ice Cream.
Check out this great review in Publishers Weekly of chef Chef Kevin Gillespie’s (chef at Woodfire Grill and Top Chef Fan Favorite) new cookbook, Fire in My Belly.
Check out Wicked Good Barbecue: Fearless Recipes from Two Damn Yankees Who Have Won the Biggest, Baddest BBQ Competition in the World by Andy Husbands, Chris Hart, and Andrea Pyenson on Oregonlive.com
Check out Nava Atlas’ latest book Wild About Greens in the Portland Oregonian.
Roxanne Moore and Kathy Wyss, authors of 175 Best Babycakes® Cake Pops Recipes, were recently interviewed my 435 South Magazine. Read the interview here!
Anne Willan wrote a great piece for Zester Daily about what cookbooks can tell us about culinary tastes through the ages. The piece was also mentioned on the New York Times Diner’s Journal. For even more, check out Anne Willan’s latest book, The Cookbook Library.
Check out this great blog post from The Gohan Society about Elizabeth Andoh’s presentation on the culinary specialties of the Tohoku Region of Japan.
Read this review of Sandra Gutierrez’s The New Southern Latino Table on Mexico Cooks!
Alison Lewis, of Ingredients, Inc, announces The FoodLife Project, consulting services for people working towards a healthier lifestyle.
Vegkitchen.com has a new Vegan Minute youtube channel featuring instructions for vegan tips, techniques, and recipes. Check it out!
Carol Fenster, a leading culinary authority on the gluten-free lifestyle and author of 10 gluten-free cookbooks, announces a new website at http://www.CarolFenster.com. The site features gluten-free recipes, secrets to baking success, and special tips that are especially helpful for inexperienced cooks.
For more information, click here.
We are thrilled to present you with the 2012 Spring Cookbook Catalog! We are proud of these titles and we hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.
We have a collection of best cupcake recipes and a compilation of best vegan recipes, a gluten-free cookbook for your slow-cooker and one for your Babycakes® Cake Pop Maker. Recipes from Edible Seattle and recipes for Sunday Brunch will make your mouth water. There is a beautiful culinary tribute, with recipes and stories from Japan’s Tohoku, to benefit the victims of the earthquake and a cookbook for your best [canine] friend. If you’re already readying the grill for warmer days to come, consider the garden as a source for grillable food or go straight for the award-winning barbecue. If Southern Cuisine makes your heart beat, you’ll love this food lover’s tour of the New American South. We’re also proud to have two non-culinary titles in the catalog this year: Sacred Pregnancy and Drawing Solutions.
If those books weren’t enough to whet your appetite, how about the long-awaited history of the cookbook?
Take a look at our spring titles and request review copies here: http://lisaekus.com/catalog-review-copy-request-form/
Happy reading and eating!
Nava Atlas, author of Literary Ladies Guide to the Writing Life, will be featured at the Women’s Writes event at Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, New York. More information here.
Forbes has named Chef Kevin Gillespie one of their 30 under 30. Congrats, Kevin!
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Check out this story about third-generation butcher Kari Underly (author of The Art of Beef Cutting) in Progressive Grocer.
Lisa Ekus and Virginia Willis will be offering a Media Skills class at FoodBlogSouth in Birmingham, Alabama on January 27, 2011. Find out more about the class here.
The New York Post listed Edible Brooklyn as one of the season’s best gift books.
Nava Atlas, author of Vegan Holiday Kitchen, and Beth Hillson, author of Gluten-Free Makeovers, are featured in the Washington Post in an article about vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free Thanksgiving options. Read it here!
Don’t miss Virginia’s November events!
Friday, November 18 – Georgia Organics (Atlanta, GA)
Saturday, November 19 – Cook’s Warehouse Brookhaven (Atlanta, GA)
Monday, November 21 – Cook’s Warehouse (East Cobb, GA)
Wednesday, November 30 – Viking Cooking School (Franklin, TN)
For more info, visit www.virginiawillis.com
Check out these blog posts (and giveaways!) featuring 175 Best Babycakes Cupcake Maker Recipes:
http://iambaker.net/red-velvet-cupcakes-babycakes-giveaway
http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2011/11/babycakes-cupcake-maker/
http://www.confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/2011/11/babycakes-cupcake-maker-giveaway/
Don’t miss Sandra Gutierrez, author of The New Southern-Latino Table, at the Miami Book Fair!
Click here for more info.
Nava Atlas’ latest book Vegan Holiday Kitchen has been gettin lots of great reviews. Check out some of them here:
Susan Voisin’s post on FatFree Vegan Kitchen
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/11/navas-hearty-lentil-and-mushroom-shepherd%e2%80%99s-pie.html
http://www.eaturveggies.com/blog/consumers/interview-with-cookbook-virtuoso-nava-atlas/
http://www.energytimes.com/pages/reviews.html
Veggie Girl (review and giveaway)
http://www.veggiegirl.com/2011/11/14/vegan-holiday-kitchen-giveaway/
Big Congratulations to Jacqueline Church, The Leather District Gourmet, on her Washington Post article on Food Allergies.
Here is a fabulous review of 175 Best Babycakes Cupcake Maker Recipes by Roxanne Wyss and Kathy Moore.
We are so thrilled about Nava’s Vegan Holiday Kitchen being featured in The New York Times. Check out the links below for more about vegan holidays and Nava Atlas, including a fabulous podcast!
Vegan.com:
http://vegan.com/blog/2011/11/01/new-york-times-a-turkey-free-thanksgiving/
One Green Planet:
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/the-new-york-times-well-blog-goes-meat-free-for-thanksgiving/
Vegan Eats and Treats:
http://veganeatsandtreats.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-vegan-holiday-kitchen.html
BlogHer publishing network member news:
http://www.blogher.com/blogher-network-member-news-nava-atlas-new-cookbook-featured-ny-times-well-blog
Feisty Side of Fifty:
http://feistysideoffifty.com/2011/11/08/holiday-feast-for-the-eyes-the-palate/
Feisty Side of Fifty Radio:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/feisty-side-of-fifty/2011/11/08/nava-atlas-and-your-vegan-holiday-kitchen
http://www.mangotomato.com/2011/10/mixed-greens-with-green-apples-beets.html
The Cary Citizen shares a recipe for Chile Chocolate Brownies from Sandra Gutierrez’s new book, The New Southern-Latino Table.
Carol Fenster, author of 1000 Gluten-Free Recipes and 125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes, shares tips for getting kids to eat vegetables and offers a free downloadable booklet on pulses (beans) in the gluten-free diet.
Virginia Willis, author of Bon Appétit, Y’all and Basic to Brilliant, Y’all, is quoted in the usatoday.com piece on National Peach Month.
Kim O’Donnel talks meatless cooking on Fox 25 News.
Nava Atlas‘ newest book, Literary Ladies’ Guide to the Writing Life, is on the bestseller list at Vroman’s!
Sharpen your knife skills with Sandra Gutierrez, author of The New Southern-Latino Table.
The Kitchn just posted a great review of Sherri Brooks Vinton’s canning cookbook, Put ‘Em Up!
