Ashley Craft
Ashley Craft began writing cookbooks in 2020 and is the best-selling author of the Unofficial Disney and Universal Parks Cookbooks. Her books have sold over 700,000 copies and reached the top 10 on bestsellers of USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. She also loves cooking at home in Anoka County, where her kids are helpers with whatever meal is in production.
Tell us about the featured book. What is it about, and why did you choose to write it?
My book Weeknight Wonders was an idea I first came up with in 2017. I had three small children who were very picky eaters, and I was ready to try anything to help them broaden their palettes. So I created a club; invited their friends, as well as readers to my blog online, to cook and eat recipes together each week. My kids looked forward to cooking dinner, and even loved eating the foods they made. After writing six cookbooks, I pitched this idea to Quarto, and Weeknight Wonders became a reality!
Tell us a little about your writing process. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
This book was my most challenging to date, because it includes 156 recipes! So I needed to work efficiently to meet my deadlines. I researched different regions of the world and what kinds of unique holidays they celebrate, and put together a calendar to fill in all the weeks of the year. Then recipe testing, writing, editing, and sending the manuscript to the Publisher to add photography and design. I love every part of the process, because I get to see my vision come to life!
Are there any writers or authors who have influenced your writing? If not, who are some of your favorite writers?
I was inspired by Dinah Bucholz, author of The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. In fact, I reached out to her when I first began writing and she replied! Now we communicate frequently and support one another in our writing endeavors.
Has a library or librarian impacted your life or your writing life?
When I was in high school, we used to have “college style” classes that met three times a week and included two study halls. I always spent my study halls in the school library and became friends with the librarian. She would hold new books that came in for me that she thought I would like, and gave me recommendations for my next read.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to play board games, watch movies and tv shows, travel, and spend time with my family.
Favorite place to visit in Minnesota?
The Chanhassen Dinner Theater is such a magical place! I love the atmosphere and the high quality of performance. Minneapolis is full of hidden gems like this one!