Nourishing Bodies and Minds: Celebrating Vicki Brett-Gach

Some books feed the soul. Others nourish the body. Vicki Brett-Gach’s “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” accomplishes both, representing Brooklyn Writers Press’s first venture into cookbook publishing and proving that the right book can succeed even in challenging production circumstances.

Breaking New Ground

“Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” holds a special place in Brooklyn Writers Press’s catalog as our first—and still only—cookbook. Taking on this project meant venturing into uncharted territory, learning new production techniques, and mastering the unique challenges that cookbook publishing presents. This pioneering spirit reflects both Vicki’s vision for sharing plant-based nutrition and Brooklyn Writers Press’s willingness to expand our expertise to serve authors with important messages.

Riding the Wave of Change

The book captured my interest because I recognized that plant-based, whole food, vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular. Vicki’s timing was perfect—she was addressing a growing movement toward healthier, more sustainable eating habits at exactly the moment when readers were seeking reliable guidance in this area. This kind of cultural awareness and timing can make the difference between a book that sits on shelves and one that finds eager readers ready for its message.

More Than Just Recipes

What sets “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” apart from typical cookbooks is that Vicki didn’t just include recipes—she also shared stories about how this way of eating is so beneficial and how anyone can get started. This comprehensive approach transforms a simple recipe collection into a lifestyle guide. Vicki’s experience as a coach, nutritionist, teacher, and other professional roles adds another element not always found in cookbooks. Her expertise provides the credibility and depth that readers need when making significant dietary changes.

The Challenge of Cookbook Production

This was not an easy production, and I learned A LOT about using images, formatting, and design through the process. Cookbooks present unique challenges—they require careful attention to visual presentation, precise formatting for ingredients and instructions, and design elements that make recipes both beautiful and functional. The complexity of cookbook production taught me valuable lessons that have informed all subsequent Brooklyn Writers Press projects, making this challenging experience an investment in our publishing capabilities.

Commitment to Excellence

The book is currently undergoing a revision and will look even better than the first edition, demonstrating Brooklyn Writers Press’s ongoing commitment to our authors and their work. This investment in improving an already successful book shows that we don’t just publish and move on—we continue supporting our authors’ long-term success. By far the most challenging type of book to produce, cookbooks require a level of precision and visual sophistication that pushes publishers to develop new skills and higher standards.

Digital Success Story

“Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” sold really well, particularly in digital format. I only split royalties on the ebook for this title, but given its digital success, I can only presume the print version is and can continue to sell well. This success validates both Vicki’s expertise and the market demand for high-quality plant-based nutrition guidance. The book’s performance proves that readers were ready for exactly what Vicki had to offer.

The Power of Comprehensive Expertise

If “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” contained just recipes, it would be valuable. But Vicki’s multifaceted background as a coach, nutritionist, and teacher elevates the book into something much more comprehensive—a complete guide to plant-based living rather than just plant-based cooking. This depth of expertise makes the book particularly valuable for readers who are new to plant-based eating and need both practical recipes and foundational understanding of the lifestyle.

Learning Through Challenge

The production challenges of “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” ultimately made Brooklyn Writers Press a stronger publisher. Learning to handle complex formatting, numerous images, and sophisticated design requirements expanded our capabilities and prepared us for future projects requiring similar technical expertise. These kinds of challenging projects often teach the most valuable lessons, pushing publishers to grow and develop new skills that benefit all future authors.

Market Validation

The book’s strong sales performance validates the decision to tackle cookbook publishing despite the production challenges. Vicki’s success demonstrates that readers are hungry for authoritative, comprehensive guidance on plant-based living from qualified experts. This market response confirms that Brooklyn Writers Press made the right choice in expanding our catalog to include cookbook publishing, even though it required significant learning and skill development.

The Future of Plant-Based Publishing

With the upcoming revised edition, “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” will continue serving readers who are seeking to improve their health through plant-based nutrition. The book’s ongoing success and our continued investment in its improvement demonstrate the lasting value of Vicki’s work. The revised edition will benefit from all the lessons learned during the original production, resulting in an even more beautiful and functional cookbook that serves readers’ needs.

Gratitude for Pioneering Partnership

To Vicki: Thank you for trusting Brooklyn Writers Press with your comprehensive vision for plant-based living. Thank you for being patient with us as we learned the complexities of cookbook production and for bringing the expertise that made “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” so much more than just a recipe collection. Your background as a coach, nutritionist, and teacher created a cookbook that truly serves readers who are ready to embrace plant-based living. The book’s strong sales performance validates your expertise and the market’s need for authoritative guidance in this area. “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” challenged Brooklyn Writers Press to grow as a publisher, teaching us valuable lessons about complex production while proving that the right book can succeed even when it pushes us outside our comfort zone. Your book’s success demonstrates that readers are ready for comprehensive, expert guidance on plant-based living. The upcoming revised edition will be even better thanks to everything we learned from our first cookbook publishing experience. Brooklyn Writers Press is grateful for the opportunity to have published our first cookbook with an author whose expertise and vision created such a valuable resource for readers seeking healthier, more sustainable ways of eating and living.

Next in our “Celebrating Our Authors” series: We’ll continue honoring the diverse voices that make Brooklyn Writers Press a publisher committed to meaningful literature.

Discover Vicki Brett-Gach’s “Plant-Based for Life Cookbook” and transform your approach to healthy eating at brooklynwriterspress.com