How to publish a cookbook

1. Collect the family favourite recipes, the one you and mum and nanna have horded away somewhere in a little book

2. Correlate them into some sort of order

3. Hit the computer and start typing

4. Now, with your extensive knowledge of word processing and computer programs, start inserting behind the text, the references and indexes required for the recipe index.

5. Pay special attention to the text used, because some text will automatically generate tags, others do not. If you let 2 pages go through with the automatically generated text, it can be fun figuring it out

6. Proof read, proof read, and proof read and proof read again, now read backwards and you might be somewhere near 90% correct.

7. Check the index references again and make sure no duplications, great fun – keep smiling

8. Find a printer, someone who will not rip you off, someone who will talk to you, even if you want small runs, you are not a millionaire – even if some printers
think you are

9. Proof-read again and read aloud and drive everyone nuts, now read backwards again, just for the thrill

10. The printer has asked for the document to be submitted in PDF form, this could be interesting, PDF programs cost a mint and your first born.

11. Do a Google search and find www.dopdf.com it does convert, but sometimes moves things around, quick proof again, making sure that red marker is very handy.

12. Sit down again, correct the PDF corrections and convert again – only 200 movements of text this time.

13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 as many times as necessary – remembering that the deadline is in 24 hours time

14. It has to be right – you are sleep deprived, if the bloody thing isn’t right –you’ll throw it out the window

15. Send the CD to the printers, sleep, get up – check the final draft and realize there is a page number error

16. Call the printers, look like a fool, tell them you will send new copy priority post.

17. 3 weeks later – the proof arrives, you check it page by page (it’s unbound)

18. You approve it – by signing and sending with payment of your second born and the monetary requirements.

19. The books turn up and hold your head and wonder what the hell have you done.

The end – repeat the process if you think you could do with the grey hairs and stress!