How Novel Is Your First Book?

Bayer and Deichmann looked at first time cookbook authors to see how many of them published a second book within five years. They found that only half of the first time authors did that. Why would novelty and awards matter so much? Bayer's theory is when you do creative work, you start to think of yourself as a creative individual. When you win an award for that work, that identity becomes very powerful and salient.