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Good morning friends! Whether it’s false spring, or the real deal here in Boston, we’ve slipped into a warm stretch, and it feels a bit like that scene in Beauty and the Beast where the everyone’s hanging out of the shop windows belting out a tune. To make your day even brighter, I’ve got Sally Ekus, Senior literary agent of the Ekus Group at JVNLA on the pod today!
Sally really is a true connector and a champion in the food media industry, and she gives back through free online resources, professional matchmaking, and the Not So Secret Agent Substack, a must-read for anyone looking to write a cookbook.
We talk about how we can apply her agenting skills to our own careers and everyday negotiations. We dive into how improv informs her work and life, which is something I’ve been curious about for years. And of course, we talk about the future of food media. We also address those of you who might have dreams of writing your own cookbook, and we talk about how you can start seriously pursuing that path.
Let’s jump right into it with Sally.
Looking for a literary agent? Here are Sally’s top tips:
Do your research. The best places to look? In the acknowledgements section of your favorite books, and the Publisher’s Marketplace database, where you can search for agents by book category.
Personalize your language when reaching out to potential fits. Rather than copying and pasting a generated draft from AI or using basic language, tailor your words to make it sound like you, and appeal to the person you’re writing to.
Take a class that shows you the ropes of finding an agent. Sally recommends a comprehensive course called “Operation: Find An Agent,” which is taught by Kristin Donnelly, one of the hosts of the “Everything Cookbooks” podcast.
Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
Improv!!! YES!!!!!! Sally is the bestest.
Sally is the BEST! Excited to listen to this.