After losing my corporate job in March of 2009, I did not waste time. I quickly leveraged a book I had self-published, and went on to found Balanced Rock Press, a new publishing company in northern California.

My motto has become: “From Laid-off to Launching an Empire!”

It’s been a busy time for me since I lost my corporate job as a quality manager back in March of 2009. A self-published cookbook author, I quickly determined it was time to begin marketing the book aggressively – something that had eluded me while I was employed.

I launched several websites during 2009 including The Rose Diva and The Cookbook Coach. All the sites I created during that time were related to cookbooks, writing, and publishing.

No newcomer to writing and marketing, I had 17 years of experience under my belt when I was laid-off. I identified a need for a cookbook writing system, a cookbook advertising web site – The Cookbook Advertiser, and an association for cookbook writers, The International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW. All of this creativity was leading to what was percolating in the background – a publishing company!

The question I get asked most often is, ‘How can I get my cookbook published?’ With all the turmoil and change going on in the publishing industry, I decided to take my established writing coach business a step further and offer publishing to my clients. I saw my clients suffer rejection and wasted time submitting proposals to publishers. Yet I believed in their projects, so I said to myself, “Why not publish them myself?”

With my experience in internet and social media marketing, I now find myself sitting on sixteen titles that are scheduled for publication. Balanced Rock Press has taken off with a bang! With new client interviews taking place weekly, Balanced Rock Press is a dream come true for me. I’m truly in my element and I’ll take things even further next year when I attend the second annual Paris Cookbook Fair in March 2011.

I’ve been personally invited to participate as a possible contributor for a break-out conference for cookbook authors at the fair by none other than its founder, Edouard Cointreau. I’ll be taking a select number of cookbook projects to the Paris Cookbook Fair for possible foreign rights sales.

I’m extremely happy to be a passionate serial entrepreneur who is truly on the move. My latest venture, Balanced Rock Press, is a growing independent publishing company located in the beautiful Sierra foothills of northern California. The company publishes traditional books, eBooks and audio books.

I’ve established a special division for eBooks called “Enbrightened eBooks.” Though presently a small company, Balanced Rock Press is thinking globally. I’ve established and maintained strong business contacts with the east coast in both New York and Miami. And, I’m planning to attend several of the large world book fairs each year including Frankfurt and London.

Balanced Rock Press is a growing independent publishing company located in northern California. We publish traditional books, eBooks and audio books. We accept proposals for cookbooks, gardening, natural living, holistic, and inspirational topics.

Ms Denktash has appeared on local television shows, and is a popular guest for radio and teleseminars. Her creativity, enthusiasm, and strong commitment to quality are unwavering. Since her lay-off she enjoys inspiring others and speaking to groups about her favorite topic – “Never Give Up.” She is available for telephone consultations with prospective cookbook, gardening, holistic, and inspirational authors. For submission guidelines, visit her publishing site at
Balanced Rock Press.

I created the space at Cookbook Advertiser just  for you, the independent cookbook authors of the world!

It wasn’t too long ago that I published my first cookbook, The Rose Cookbook – a Treasury of Rose Recipes from Around the World.

That was in 2007. I was really excited to have my cookbook in my hand…but guess what…I didn’t have a website to showcase my book.  Now what? I lost a lot of precious time and I remember thinking that I should have taken care of that while I was waiting for my book to be printed.

About that same time, I realized there should be a system for cookbook authors that would help them write their book. With those thoughts swirling about in my mind, I became the Cookbook Coach.

I then made a promise to myself to dedicate my time to creating the system for writing cookbooks, and also create a space for author’s like myself, who had just finished their books, but didn’t quite have a place to show it off yet.

Whether you have created an eBook, or a traditional book, you are welcome to advertise here.  For all the details, check out the Cookbook Advertiser.  I look forward to seeing your cookbook there!

I’ve created and launched  a new website just for independent cookbook author’s, so they will  have a place to advertise their cookbooks!

cookbookadvertiser.com

I’d like to share my story with you…so you understand how all of this has come about. The journey has been interesting!

Not too long ago I self-published my first cookbook. I was absolutely ecstatic when my books arrived at my home. I used one of the traditional printers – something I would not do again, but we’ll get into that later. The end result was that 30 boxes of books landed on my doorstep, with no instructions about what to do with them next. Yikes!

I didn’t have a website built yet, because to be honest…I didn’t have the money to pay for the books to be printed <em>and</em> get a website built. So there I was… with all my books and no way to sell them.

I did have a plan, because I had written a book proposal, but I had not implemented my plan yet, so I had no place to showcase my beautiful book!

Here’s the truth…No website or blog = NO INTERNET SALES…ouch!

That got me thinking…I wished there would have been a place where I could post my book advertisement that would not cost too much, but would give me some of the exposure I needed to start making some sales. A place where I could advertise while I got a website or blog up and running.

Or…a place that could give an author additional exposure and traffic, even if they I had a website or blog. A space that was “dedicated” to cookbook authors!

I told myself that someday soon, I would create that space, so other cookbook authors would not have to go through what I was going through at the time.

Around about the same time, I also realized there needed to be a system for writing a cookbook. I had done it completely on my own, learning as I went, making mistakes I didn’t have to make, and wasting time I didn’t have to waste. It was tough, but I worked really hard at it and got it done.

I learned a lot from those experiences. Because I had a 16 years of writing experience in the corporate world,  I decided to create and document a fool-proof system that would help other authors write, publish, and market their cookbooks.

The idea is to cut through all the mistakes, use the shortcuts, and incorporate  today’s cutting-edge marketing techniques, including video,  social media and whatever tools become available that will help an author be more successful.

A system that would evolve as the market evolves, always staying current with what’s happening. A system that would ensure that the user would not make the same mistakes I made when I wrote my first cookbook.

So in 2008 I became the Cookbook Coach. I wrote and developed “The 7 Secrets of a Successful Self-Published Cookbook,” my proprietary, easy-to-follow, step-by-step system for getting your cookbook written.

I’m happy to say my system has proven to be very successful. Many authors have completed their first cookbooks, or are in the process of doing so. You’ll meet many of them here. It’s all very exciting!

Just recently, I launched the “Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp.” The Boot Camp is a 7-week intensive that is sure to get you writing your cookbook!

Boot Camps will take place about 5 times a year, so check at the website listed below for more information. I’ll be posting the dates of upcoming Boot Camp classes here.

I’ve made it my mission to help cookbook authors all over the world make their dream of writing a cookbook come true! I am dedicated to your success and I truly want to help you achieve your goals.

I’m prepared to help you with your “personal brand” creation, “author’s platform,”  marketing, and book proposals. I can show you how to develop ancillary products built around your book to help you boost sales and your bottom line!

In late 2009 I began launching a membership organization just for cookbook authors,  the International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW. The purpose of the IACBW is:

“To enrich and energize the lives of cookbook writers everywhere by creating an atmosphere of support, encouragement, empowerment and community; while ofering access to the best systems, training, and marketing tools available.”

I believe in education and continuous learning. And…I believe in implementing what is learned. I hope to be able to be of service to you in some way on your cookbook journey, and hopefully make a positive impact on your life!

To learn more about the Cookbook Coach and the “7 Secrets” system, and pick up a FREE REPORT and FREE mp3, visit:
http://www.cookbookcoach.com

To sign-up or learn more about the Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp, visit:
http://www.youcanwriteacookbook.com

To join or learn more about the International Association of Cookbook Authors – IACBW, visit:
http://www.iacbw.org

The IACBW site will launch on Monday 2/1/10