Embark on a culinary adventure with Mardi Michels, an elementary school French teacher and passionate food blogger based in Toronto, Canada. Renowned for her cookbook In the French Kitchen with Kids and her blog, eat. live. travel. write., Mardi shares her captivating transition from traditional to self-publishing.
Welcome back to Creatively Speaking: Recipe for Success. Hosted by LeAnna Weller Smith, this podcast explores the culinary creativity behind self-published cookbooks. Join us for a delectable journey into the stories, challenges, and triumphs of chefs, bloggers, and creatives who turn dreams into beautifully crafted books. From innovative recipes to the intricacies of cookbook design, Recipe for Success invites you to savor insights and laughter. Welcome to the flavorful adventure where the recipe for success is served with creativity! In this episode, we speak to Mardi Michels, the culinary genius behind eat. live. travel. write.
Mardi’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of her background of teaching French to elementary schoolers and profound love for French cuisine. These dual passions converged, sparking the creation of her blog and eventually leading to the writing of her first cookbook. In this episode, Mardi takes us through her culinary exploration, fueled by her commitment to teaching kids the art of cooking.
After the genesis of eat. live. travel. write., Mardi went on to found Food Bloggers of Canada (FBC), an organization whose purpose is “to connect, network, and find resources to expand their blogging knowledge.” It was through FBC that Mardi had her initial introduction to the possibilities of traditional publishing. While she ultimately decided not to pursue this route, the experience she gained along the way was invaluable as she decided to make the transition from traditional to self-publishing.
This pivotal shift is a highlight of Mardi’s journey. Being in total control of the creative process allowed Mardi to share her culinary expertise more prolifically, releasing multiple books in a shorter time frame. Her story unveils the liberating aspects of self-publishing, where authors can shape their stories on their terms.
“Self-publishing allowed me to get the content out in public quicker than if I was doing the traditional route.”
Furthermore, Mardi advocates for the cultivation of relationships within the industry. Building connections with professionals, such as designers and photographers, streamlines the self-publishing process for aspiring authors.
Mardi’s experiences sheds light on the practical aspects of self-publishing, emphasizing the importance of creative control and collaboration with industry professionals.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- 0:00:01 | Introduction to Mardi Michels and her journey
- 0:02:19 | Mardi’s teaching background and love for French cuisine
- 0:04:17 | Founding a food bloggers’ organization in Canada
- 0:06:18 | Transition from traditional to self-publishing
- 0:09:15 | The advantages and considerations of self-publishing
- 0:12:08 | Mardi’s collaboration with a designer and photographer
- 0:15:35 | Insights into the creative process, including the use of mood boards
- 0:19:05 | Flexibility and customization in self-publishing
- 0:27:26 | Beyond printing the book: Options and considerations
- 0:33:17 |The collaborative and supportive nature of self-publishing
If you’re considering making the transition from traditional to self-publishing, let Mardi’s story guide you to carve your own path, establish meaningful connections, and appreciate the flexibility this option offers!
And remember to join us for all installments of Creatively Speaking: Recipe for Success, hosted by LeAnna Weller Smith of Weller Smith Design. From the kitchens of chefs to the minds of food bloggers and creatives, each episode is guaranteed to be a celebration of culinary passion turned into tangible art.
Thank you for joining us on this delicious journey, and until we meet again, may your kitchens be filled with the joy of creating and the aroma of endless possibilities. Cheers to the art of self-publishing!
Episode Resources:
Website: https://wellersmithdesign.com/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannawellersmith/
If you are curious about self-publishing and want to learn more about how we can help, check out our Self-Publishing Services.
Weller Smith Design is a Full-Service Boutique Design Agency that provides publishing, self-publishing, branding, web design, and strategy services. We pride ourselves in being the Boutique Agency of choice for Thought Leaders like you.
