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Dianne Jacob, Will Write For Food

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Win a Signed Copy of Will Write for Food

August 16, 2016 by diannejacob 83 Comments

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WWFFIIIcover.borderWhat? You don’t have a signed copy of the new edition of Will Write for Food?

No problem. To celebrate its one-year anniversary, I am giving away two free copies, signed and mailed.

Will Write for Food is all about food writing, natch. In fact its subtitle captures some of what that entails: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Memoir, Recipes and More.

I never get bored with the subject of food writing, because there’s so much to learn. And it’s always changing, in ways both exciting and overwhelming.

When you read this signed copy, you’ll see that you might need to be a:

  • Technical genius
  • Gorgeous photographer
  • Beautiful writer
  • Reporter
  • Interviewer
  • Researcher
  • Marketer
  • Discriminating eater
  • Videographer
  • Social media maven.

Huh. Did you sign up for all that? Well yes, sort of, but preferably not all at the same time, right?

This edition features a new chapter on making money.  Some hobbyists decide, after a while, to make some extra cash, and a few decide to blog full time. There’s lots of new content on how it’s done. I’ve also found some successful food writers earning a six-figure income. (Also check out this radio show interview I did on making money as a food writer, and about the art of writing. It’s short, about 11 minutes. So yes, you have time. You have to scroll down to find it.)

And if you’d like to keep food writing just as a hobby, great. You’ll be in the majority. As in prior editions, there’s lots to read about how to write well, create a loyal readership, and stay motivated.

I’ve also expanded the chapter on writing a cookbook. Even if you’ve written one before, it’s a good idea to brush up on what constitutes a killer concept, and how to write an irresistable book proposal.

Like the two previous editions, Will Write for Food won an international award. I think you’ll like it, because there’s lots to learn about and ponder. It’s more than 100,000 words, in fact, so don’t try to power through it over a weekend. Here’s what people I respect have said about my book.

If you already own the third edition, you can still enter this contest. Just give the signed copy as a gift. I’ll autograph it to whomever you specify.

To enter to win a copy of Will Write for Food, leave a comment below by August 31, 2016. Please answer, in one sentence or more: What’s your biggest challenge, as a food writer?

(Sorry, you must live in the US or Canada to apply, because otherwise postage is insane. I will choose the winner at random.)

NOTE: AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2016, THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED.

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: book on food writing, Food blogging, food writing, free copy of Will Write for Food, Will Write For Food

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lou Ann says

    August 16, 2016 at 11:24 am

    Making myself write every day.

    Reply
  2. A says

    August 16, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Getting started.

    Reply
  3. Renee Simpson says

    August 16, 2016 at 11:55 am

    Biggest challenge, hmm, staying focused long enough to make it a habit.

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Absolutely, getting started and getting out of my own way.

    Reply
  5. Tammy Northrup says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Staying focused enough to just do it vs. overthinking it.

    Reply
  6. Jackie Garvi n says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Setting priorities. Maintaining social media platforms is a time drain that can easily overtake quality content writing time.

    Reply
  7. ali says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    definitely getting started!

    Reply
  8. Leann Richardson says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    scheduling time to work on writing, photographing, testing new recipes and then putting it all together. I don’t think people realize how much time is involved in the whole process.

    Reply
  9. Amy says

    August 16, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    Becoming more confident in my writing ability and overcome my fear of being criticized.

    Reply
  10. Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy says

    August 16, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Time managment. Feeling behind and getting overwhelmed. *sigh*

    Reply
  11. E M says

    August 16, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    My biggest challenge as a writer is attempting to coerce editors to return my emails. How does one solicit a job without nagging one’s potential employer?

    Reply
  12. Jason Sandeman says

    August 16, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    For me, it’s impostor syndrome. I feel like no one should, or would care about what I write.

    Reply
  13. Amy Nash says

    August 16, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    My biggest challenge is finding the time to write when I feel pulled in a million different directions!

    Reply
  14. Mira says

    August 16, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    As a previous grant writer, I struggle with narrative writing when it comes to food writing.

    Reply
  15. Jessy @ The Life Jolie says

    August 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    My biggest challenge is definitely prioritizing my time. I have a million things I want to do but limited time available to do them.

    Reply
  16. Tori says

    August 16, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    Definitely the photography that goes with it!

    Reply
    • David Ross says

      August 17, 2016 at 8:46 am

      I have so many ideas for foods and memories I’d like to write about, it’s challenging to pick just one.

      Reply
  17. Neal says

    August 16, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    Thanks Dianne! I’m helping a friend with her blog and future cookbook, and she attended one of your seminars earlier this year. Great stuff!

    Reply
  18. Chris Huston says

    August 16, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    My biggest challenge is definitely finding the time to craft an awesome post! Oh…. and finding different works that mean awesome, delicious or yummy:)

    Thanks Dianne for this opportunity!

    Reply
  19. Kylee from Kylee Cooks says

    August 16, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    Finding the time to photograph! Naptime on the weekends… that’s the only time!

    Reply
  20. Elaine M says

    August 16, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    A lifelong dream!

    Reply
  21. Nancy Mock says

    August 16, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    My greatest challenge is prioritizing what feels like a million+ things I need to do/would like to do with my blog!

    Reply
  22. Donna says

    August 16, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    Making it work financially.

    Reply
  23. Grant Kennell says

    August 16, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    Writing. I hate to write but love having written. Even writing a comment on a blog can induce painful anxiety. Hehehe.

    Reply
  24. Miss Food Fairy says

    August 17, 2016 at 12:52 am

    Telling a story to make the dish I’m writing about sound enticing.

    Reply
  25. Maria Isabella says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:03 am

    My biggest challenge as a food writer is getting my story/message across in a fresh way with a unique voice.

    Reply
  26. Judy Jackson says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:11 am

    Illustrating the food to accompany the writing, and my newest challenge… after spending the summer with me and watching a lot of food and cooking shows on TV together, my 8yo granddaughter wants us to produce a cooking show … along with a website. Going to be such a HOOOOOT!!!!

    Reply
  27. Christina says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:12 am

    Hi Dianne,
    After five(!) years of a food blog, my challenge at the moment is how to keep my creativity going. I seem to be in a slump and am reviving old recipes instead of creating new ones!

    Reply
  28. Janice says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Finding my voice as a writer. . .it’s taken awhile, but I see it/feel it more and more.

    Reply
  29. Marilena says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:21 am

    My biggest challenge is staying motivated to write good content and continuing to take good quality photographs for my food blog, when I feel discouraged by the low traffic and daily visitors it gets!

    Reply
  30. Kristin says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:25 am

    Mentally being able to get in the zone and set aside a specific amount of time each day (or a few times a week) to work on travel & food blogging after a long day at the office!

    Reply
  31. Kathy says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:28 am

    Finding out the “hows” to get it done, then getting started!

    Reply
  32. JoAnn Johnson says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:35 am

    Keeping my food blog insightful, inquisitive and influential enough to serve as a catalyst for my freelancing career.

    Reply
  33. Kate McDermott says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:46 am

    Jump starting myself to write book #2. I start and stop in fits and spurts.

    Reply
  34. Chris Snyder says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:49 am

    … recognizing that I can do what I love as a job.

    Reply
  35. Christin says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:50 am

    My biggest challenge is finding my voice, and not getting caught up trying to be someone I’m not. =)

    Reply
  36. Deb|EastofEdenCooking says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:57 am

    The cooking/baking is the easy part of food blogging. I stumble through the words. Weaving a story and food description around the recipe and photos challenges me. Am I saying too much, or not enough?

    Reply
  37. David Farris says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:19 am

    Looking forward to the new edition, especially the expanded Cookbook chapter

    Reply
  38. Nicole says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:20 am

    My biggest challenge is getting past my fear of not being good enough! There is so much competition these days and it often comes down to who has the largest following, especially for paid assignments and book deals.

    Reply
  39. Clara says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:40 am

    I am challenged the most by coming up with article ideas and pitching them.

    Reply
  40. Petra says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:43 am

    Biggest challenges? Sticking to it, and also finding my voice.

    Reply
  41. Peta-Gaye Hoskinson says

    August 17, 2016 at 6:59 am

    Biggest challenge is getting over fear of not having an interesting enough topic to grab readers, which is stopping me from starting.

    Reply
  42. Julie Giuffrida says

    August 17, 2016 at 7:07 am

    I think my biggest challenge is narrowing down what to write about and then staying on topic. So much to say, so little space…

    Reply
  43. MD Kennedy says

    August 17, 2016 at 7:24 am

    My biggest challenge is getting great images!

    Reply
  44. Kerry says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:01 am

    Using the same tired old set of adjectives and phrases for sensory descriptors. Sometimes I get into lazy ruts that can be difficult to break out of. Crisp and refreshing, buttery and flaky, balanced and fruity–reads like broken record after a while. Thesaurus and more coffee, please.

    Reply
  45. Carol Lander says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:22 am

    Doing my prep and cooking and after shots before I lose natural light. Getting better at my photography helps. Writing with interesting and enticing adjectives.

    Reply
  46. Kelly says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:27 am

    My biggest challenge is pitching stories. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

    Reply
  47. Denise Rene says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:37 am

    Always be camera ready while standing in line at book signings of your favorite chef. Mine is Jacques Pepin. I attended both book signings in San Francisco for Jacques Pepin’s newest book. I took three Muni buses that day. I also learned that it is very important to thank people who are working book signing events and to be calm over the phone (even when the website may be difficult to navigate and you may be confused with incorrect information). We were both on a mission to make sure she got to one of the events that day. I just kept imagining us getting there on-time. And we did. We ended up getting great seats and she got a to see Jacques Pepin cook in front of us. She dreamed of this moment for several years. I was so happy that we could experience this together. Thank you Dianne for inspiring me to keep going. And to never give up.

    Reply
    • Denise Rene says

      August 31, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      I will be volunteering at KQED (PBS) in San Francisco because of Jacques Pepin’s generosity. All of Jacques Pepin’s shows are filmed at this studio! Thank you Dianne for your kindness and encouragement.

      Reply
  48. Marge Burkell says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:45 am

    My biggest challenge as a food writer is staying motivated when I don’t see it paying off… I need to make it help pay the bills now that we are on a fixed income. I am really interested in seeing the new edition! Fingers crossed I win! If not I guess I will buy it for myself for my September birthday. 62. ick.

    Reply
  49. Feride Buyuran says

    August 17, 2016 at 9:35 am

    I read the earlier edition of Will Write For Food and absolutely loved it. Would love to win the new one! My current biggest challenge is having literary agents to get back to me about my cookbook query. Not receiving any answer for weeks on (although I understand they are very busy) is very discouraging. But it’s ok as giving up is not in my plans:)

    Reply
  50. Andrea Bannister says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:04 am

    I’ve been in Corporate roles so long it’s challenging to adjust and find my own fresh voice as a writer. I know I just need to jump in and do it – and your great book will help.

    Reply
  51. Anne @ Webicurean says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:07 am

    My biggest challenges are prioritizing and maintaining focus. This combined with having accountability only to myself can sometimes bring things to a halt. I have plenty of great ideas–just need to follow through!

    Reply
  52. Roseanne Cohen says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:39 am

    My biggest challenge as a food writer is getting started. My head is overflowing with book concepts and ideas, but I have yet to put a substantial amount of that information down on paper.

    Reply
  53. Laurie Miller says

    August 17, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Oh, I face a few challenges, but the biggest one is overcoming my own fear and just going for it, without worrying about what other people may say or think about my work.

    Reply
  54. Julie says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I’m only an aspiring food writer, former chef and baker, so my biggest challenge is getting up the courage and discipline to get started! I’m sure your book would be a big help! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  55. Stacey@10 Legs in the Kitchen says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:54 am

    My greatest challenge as a food writer is having enough self- confidence. Confidence to learn social media so that more than 15 people read my posts; confidence to put together a cookbook proposal; confidence to find the time to believe that I have something to say that someone else wants to read.

    Reply
  56. dotti cahill says

    August 17, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    i stick to taking pictures of food!!

    Reply
  57. Laura Wallan says

    August 17, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    I started writing about food when I was in high school. I was new to the school and discovered this basement cafeteria served hamburgers and hot dogs. Transferring from a much smaller school I was moved to write a critique about the cafeteria. I’ll never forget the sign over the door:
    PRACTICE SAFE LUNCH: USE CONDIMENTS!
    Now I am ready to write a blog and I need all the help I can get. Please send me your new book!!

    Reply
  58. Andrew Bui says

    August 17, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Getting over imposter syndrome and getting the very first article published.

    Reply
  59. The Ninja Baker says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    My biggest challenge is not the writing but the worrying about my SEOs and lack of social media posting discipline.

    Reply
  60. Katya Willems says

    August 17, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    How to create a style that is fun and honest – that shines a light on food and cooking that is so colourful and upbeat that it inspires even those who are too curmudgeonly cook!

    I also now eat so much for my writing that fitting in exercise is a whole new challenge.

    Reply
  61. Helen says

    August 18, 2016 at 5:38 am

    Remembering to take careful notes when I’m putting together a new recipe – half the time it’s the dish I just threw together without thinking that’s the most popular, and the one I took all the careful notes on comes in second place.

    Reply
  62. Angela Roberts says

    August 18, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    Staying fresh, and knowing when I’m in my zone. Recently I wrote an essay to qualify for something, but forgot I had already written it. The first one was ten times better written, so for me, it’s knowing when to write and when to step back.

    Reply
  63. Cadry says

    August 19, 2016 at 3:50 am

    My biggest challenge is balancing making money with being authentic.

    Reply
  64. Annika Ek says

    August 21, 2016 at 11:04 am

    I am about to write about food as a functional nutritionist, making sure it is both healthy and tasty.

    Reply
  65. Linda says

    August 21, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    My biggest challenge is being overwhelmed with where to start.

    Reply
  66. Maria Espinosa says

    August 22, 2016 at 11:40 am

    As an aspiring food writer I would like to find the right words to express what I smell, taste, feel certain dish that bring me memories. I thing the most challenging part of food writing is to get that skills, to interpret those sensations into words that can cause the same effect in the readers.

    Reply
  67. Eleanore D. Trupkiewicz says

    August 22, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Making the jump from writing fiction and poetry to food writing as creative nonfiction, and figuring out how to keep the music of poetry and the witticism of fiction in all of it.

    Reply
  68. Ellen says

    August 22, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    My biggest challenge? Choosing a topic to focus on!

    Reply
  69. Susan cooper says

    August 22, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    Sign me up. Fingers crossed that I win! 🙂 my biggest challenge is the amount of time it takes per recipe. ..to get the recipe just right, taste testers giving the green light, and then making it and getting all the photos needed to go along with the post. I don’t think the average person realizes the time and effort.

    Reply
  70. Cheryl says

    August 23, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Believing that I have something unique and wonderful to share with others that has been my culinary journey.

    Reply
  71. Dee | Green Smoothie Gourmet says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    Trying to figure out what to charge small companies vs big companies for an IG post, for a blog post, for a recipe — I think I need your book!
    Dee xx.

    Reply
  72. Diane Flis says

    August 24, 2016 at 11:09 am

    Like others, getting started is a challenge. I have a long list of topics I want to write about but I get stalled when I allow the fear that “no one will care” seep in. You would think that would be freeing but it isn’t. My biggest challenge is having the confidence to focus my writing on what I want to say and not worry about what others may think.

    Reply
  73. Sarah says

    August 26, 2016 at 4:05 am

    The presumptuousness of writing stops me. Writing indicates I think I can write and I that I have something to say.

    Reply
  74. Laura says

    August 31, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    My biggest challenge is setting aside the time to write!

    Reply
  75. Mary says

    August 31, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Confidence: believing that I belong at the table.

    Reply
  76. Thu Hoang says

    August 31, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    Being organized to actually write down the practice recipes, do more research if necessary, change, and redo, repeatedly.

    Reply
  77. Nikki Miller-Ka says

    August 31, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    My biggest challenge as a food writer is working every day while researching new leads.

    Reply
  78. Maggie Z says

    August 31, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    My biggest challenge is sit down and start writing. Every time after I started, I found it less daunting.
    Hope I can win! I’ve got two e-copies now but I’d love to keep a paperback edition 🙂

    Reply
  79. Maureen says

    September 1, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Finding something to write about that hasn’t been said!

    Reply
  80. Lisa says

    September 3, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    Oh no!I just found this post and I see that I’ve just missed the deadline:( I’d love to still enter if you’d allow it. My biggest challenge is just getting started!I just purchased a domain a couple of days ago to begin food blogging. I got your book from the library last month and have to keep rechecking it out:)

    Reply

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  1. Will Write for Food Chapter 9 Writing Prompts, Part 1 – Jason Sandeman, R.S.E. says:
    August 17, 2016 at 7:07 am

    […] Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Memoir, Recipes, and More by Dianne Jacob (Go there today, She’s giving away a SIGNED COPY OF THE […]

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