Sally Ekus's Perfect Bite | Inside the World of Cookbook Publishing & Food Media

What does it really take to get a cookbook published today? I sat down with Sally Ekus, lead of and senior literary agent at The Ekus Group (now a division of JVNLA), to explore the intersection of food, publishing, and entrepreneurship.Sally has spent over 16 years representing cookbook authors, chefs, food writers, and culinary thought leaders, helping them bring their unique stories and recipes to print. She shares how publishing has evolved from the days of Julia Child and Emeril Lagasse to the era of TikTok food creators, Substack writers, and BookTok trends.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow cookbook publishing really works today—pitching, proposals, and what agents look forWhy an author’s platform and audience matter as much as their expertiseThe role of Instagram, TikTok, newsletters, and Substack in discovering new food writersThe shift from big book tours to digital discoverabilityAdvice for chefs, restaurateurs, and food entrepreneurs who want to publish their first cookbookWhy repurposing content (from newsletters to older podcast episodes) is key for longevityThe importance of mentorship, patience, and persistence in publishing and entrepreneurshipAbout Sally EkusSally leads The Ekus Group, a boutique literary agency specializing in cookbooks and culinary talent. With a background in sociology, she brings a unique perspective to agenting—blending negotiation skills with deep care for authors’ stories. She also writes the popular Substack “Not So Secret Agent,” where she offers transparent insights into the publishing world.Follow Sally on Instagram: @sallyekusThe Ekus Group / JVNLA: @ekusgroup, @jvnlaSubscribe to Sally’s Substack: Not So Secret AgentSubscribe to The Perfect Bite podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!Want to watch the entire episode? Head here to our YouTube!You can follow us on social media @perfectbitepod and visit our site www.theperfectbitepod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.