Publishing a Vegan Cookbook
It’s no secret that I love to build things. Instead of saying, “I’m a program manager working with product teams,” I now say, “I help build things and find solutions to complex problems.” That mindset has driven my career, but it has also influenced my creative pursuits.
For years, I dreamed of publishing a cookbook that highlights Brazilian baked goods and my favorite vegan desserts from around the world. But this project was entirely outside my realm of expertise. I’m not a vegan chef, I haven’t studied culinary arts, and I have zero plans to do so.
However, I love to cook — especially bake. I love the precision, the chemistry, and how the smallest adjustments can change everything.
Cooking, I believe, is an essential skill for human survival, one that should be accessible to everyone — not just women.
The Publishing Industry Is a Challenge
The publishing market is tough. It’s a complicated, often frustrating space, even for those of us who embrace learning new things.
While it’s fantastic that we now have more tools available for indie writers, they are unnecessarily complex.
The platforms designed to support self-publishers often offer poor customer support and confusing systems.
I hope someone is working on making this process easier, because we need more diverse voices — especially from socially excluded communities — bringing new perspectives and stories to the world.
My Key Learnings
Here are a few things I’ve learned throughout this journey:
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Can Lead to Unique Creations
Doing something outside your expertise can be an advantage. The publishing market may be saturated with the same kinds of books, but that means there’s room for fresh perspectives.
By not following the typical cookbook formula, I created something unique and community-driven. Sometimes, being an outsider allows you to tap into what people actually want, rather than what the market dictates.
Don’t Be Afraid to Launch Something Niche
My cookbook is hyper-specific: it focuses on Brazilian baked goods, all made vegan. Many people outside Brazil have never heard of these treats, let alone know how to pronounce their names.
But that’s exactly why this book is valuable. It introduces something new to the global audience while making it accessible and easy to try.
Personal Projects Require Passion, Time, and Investment
I’m always talking about personal projects because they excite me. But I won’t lie — this process wasn’t easy.
Over the past year, I spent my free time developing and testing recipes, writing the book, and navigating the publishing process.
Self-funding a project like this takes commitment, but the reward is creating something truly meaningful.
Collaboration Can Turn Small Ideas into Big Dreams
I usually work solo on my personal projects, hiring freelancers when I can. But this time, I had the support of Izabelle Alvares.
When I mentioned I was celebrating a decade of living in the U.S. and a decade of being vegan, she immediately said, “Let’s create a zine to celebrate.” That idea quickly transformed into something much bigger — a book.
We wanted high-quality printing, beautiful paper, and a hardcover. So we asked ourselves: Why not?
Bringing Stories to Life Through Writing and Photography
I was in charge of writing the stories that accompany the book as well as creating the recipes, testing them, and making sure they worked. In doing so, I ended up sharing personal stories about my life, my family, and my friends — growing up in Brazil, moving to the United States, and building my life here.
Izabelle Alvares took charge of all the creative direction and photography. She developed photo concepts based on the stories to ensure the book was cohesive and engaging. She truly brought this book to life through beautiful design.
I’m sharing this because, first of all, it was amazing to have someone to rely on and support me. Additionally, sharing the workload made a huge difference. I couldn’t be prouder of the results.
Encouraging Others to Publish
Now that I’ve been through this process, I want to share what I’ve learned. I’ll be sharing resources, behind-the-scenes photos, and insights into my journey as a published author.
I hope this will encourage you to publish your own book and, if possible, find a good friend to support you along the way.
In these strange times, when love and resources can feel scarce, sometimes all you need is a badass friend to make things happen. This book is proof of that.
FOURTH DAY We’re #1 on Amazon New Releases! ❤
Today, we’re on #7 on the Bestseller list which means YOU can help us to get the #1. If you didn’t get your copy yet, get yours and send us a review. I’ll be happy to bake you something from the book as a thank you!
Additional Reading
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