Hi guys....I am toying with the idea of writing a how-to book for fondant-decorated cakes. (Thanks to all you have suggested it to me).

Obviously, there are so many amazing books out there already, so if I did this, I would need it to be outstanding and do something very appealing to the cake enthusiast.

So....I am asking for your help......what do you want in such a book? What would make you pick my book up? What don't you like in a book?

Gosh...I'm getting excited....if this happens I will dedicate the book to all of you!!!!

Well, first off, Congratulations on taking the challenge of writing a book.

I love books with catchy covers and tons of pictures! Offhand, I'm not sure what else I like about decorator books...Oh! Specific instructions! I hate when I want to replicate something off of a book a the instructions are really vague!

well i would start by choosing one of your fabulous cakes for the front cover..thoughchoosing will be hard to do as they are all fabulous !! i am partial to your "fire"cake and it would definately stand out.

as far as what i would want to see in the book, would just be tips and ideas for people such as me who have been afraid that fondant was to complicated to work with. Many people are afraid to try unless someone makes it look and sound simple. I didn't try to work with fondant but one other time and it was cut out with cookie cutters, but because of you and others on this site telling how to work with it in "blonde" terms this "blonde" decided to give it a try and i am glad of that !!hopefully idin't babble too much and i hope you make a success of this book !! i will definately purchase it if you publish it !!

Good luck in your endeavor! That is so exciting!!

I like to see personal hints, tips, and tricks in books. I can look up the technical stuff, but what makes me buy a book is seeing descriptions of first-hand experiences of things that work and things that don't. (does that make sense?)

Also, like llee815 said, specific instructions. When I see a picture of a cake in a book and want to replicate it, nothing is more frustrating than vague instructions (or none at all).

Good luck again!!

I like seeing patterns to trace some of the free-hand shapes you've used, your sources for equipment/tools, basic cake/icing recipes and don't forget PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS!!

I was looking through your pics again and was thinking, maybe you could divide your book into different sections. Like birthdays, holidays, miscellaneous, that sort of thing.

I would say specific instructions that anyone can understand- from beginners to the pro's....and step by step, like they are in the articles on this site...so that your're not so intimidated by it when you see it.\\

GOOD LUCK

I'm the type person that has to see in order to do. I don't like to read instructions but like to follow pictures. I know other people are the opposite. This is my suggestion -- step by step instructions with step by step pictures. I have to do in order to get!!!

How about pics and step by step instructions for making homemade fondant & icings...the pics would help visualize what it looks like at each stage...when I was taking the Wilton courses, that was the hardest part the first time around - trying to figure out what consistency royal icing should look like, etc....also pics to show coloring process for fondant...

the other thing I saw in class was alot of the ladies had issues with covering the cake with icing and fondant..square and round...maybe step by step pics to show how to handle the fondant

I still haven't made the MMF recipe because I'm too chicken and I also wait until the last minute to make a cake with Fondant.

maybe a section devoted to absolute newbies...kind of a "How to...for Dummies"

I agree with everyone else....pictures pictures pictures. The how-to articles here are fantastic because you get a picture each step of the way so you know what the project should look like as you go.

i would also create a rating type system so readers could judge the level of difficulty. for example, MMF is very easy to make so it might be a 1 or a single star or single chef's hat icon...use something unique and rate them on a scale of 1-5. That would let me know what projects i am ready to tackle so i don't set myself up for frustration.

good luck!!!

I just have a couple suggestions. There are already so many books on decorating with fondant but I haven't seen one yet dedicated to MMF. Maybe you could gear your book that way and be unique. It would set you apart from the others. There are still a lot of decorators that have no idea what you can do with marshmallows.

The other idea is to self-publish or make your book available as an eBook. eBooks are great because you have no start-up costs and you get to keep 80-90% of the profits from your book depending on how you sell it. I sell mine on eBay really successfully.

I would love to see step by step instructions with PICTURES!!! Glad to see you are considering this......you definitely have the know how.

Thanks guys...I agree with all of you....photos and details is the way to go. Lisa...good point...MMF would probably peak an interest in the home baker.....that way no specialty stores are involved....

Cake decorating with everyday items is a great concept! I could incorporate something like the thread on the strange items everyone uses for their cakes.

I think one of the problems in many how-to books and many cooks books for that matter, is that there is almost always something missing - some implied step that the author takes for granted. (i.e. they always mean "large size" when the recipe calls for eggs, but rarely say it...)

I would take a true novice - like a guy who hasn't a CLUE about any of this - or someone like that - and have him/her read and do your draft instructions. See what he/she misses, or what wasnt made clear based on what the outcome is.

Wishing you much success

I like the simple down to earth step-by-step instructions with clear pictures for each step.

Either one of your pictures for the cover will grab the attention of customers.

I would want to see step-by-step directionals with clear instructions and photos.
One of my favourite authors is Lindy Smith - have you seen any of her books?