How to Create a Family-Reunion Cookbook for a Fundraiser
Custom-made cookbooks are an entertaining and memorable product that can earn money for a charity or community organization. Women's civic groups have been printing and selling cookbooks, usually containing their members' recipes, since the early 20th century. Today, using online publishing tools, families can easily create cookbooks containing recipes passed down from generation to generation and sell the editions to raise funds.
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Instructions
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Solicit favorite recipes from all the members of your family, especially older relatives.
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Type the recipes using word processing software (like Microsoft Word) into a single document. Arrange the recipes into categories like appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Make sure to credit the person who provided the recipe. This document is your cookbook manuscript.
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Scan the family photos if necessary. Place all digitized photos into a single folder on your computer.
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Contact self-publishers such as AuthorSolutions.com or Lulu.com. These companies can digitally print and bind the manuscript and images you provide into a cookbook for a fee. You are in control of cover design and other aesthetic aspects of the book. The fee you pay is determined by the company you choose, number of copies you want, publicity options, and design quality.
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Decide whether you need the publisher to assign an ISBN number to your cookbook. An ISBN number allows your book to be sold commercially through bookstores, and online retailers and some self-publishers charge a fee for issuing one. However, if you are privately selling the book as a community fundraiser, an ISBN may not be necessary.
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Submit your manuscript, photos and payment to the self-publishing company of your choice. A company representative will walk you through the book design steps.
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Examine the digital proof of your cookbook when you receive it from the publisher. Upon your approval, the book will go into production and you may order the number of copies you need (at an author's discount) for fundraising.
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Sell your family reunion cookbook by tabling at community events, advertising it on your blog or website, posting fliers in your local library, or other means.
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Tips & Warnings
For an even simpler publication, you may have a printing shop like FedEx/Kinko's print multiple copies of your manuscript and bind them with a plastic or wire spine.
References
- Photo Credit cook family image by NiDerLander from Fotolia.com
