“I can’t thank you enough for your incredibly thorough edit of my cookbook proposal. I feel like an aspiring singer who just got voice lessons from Aretha Franklin. It’s hard to get the feedback, but what an unbelievable privilege.” — Emily G. Mingledorff, food blogger, Pie Crust and Pixie Dust
“Loving our work so far. Feeling alive and motivated. Thanks.” — Bretton Scott, food stylist and video host
“I loved your edits, because you fixed things that I knew sounded awkward but didn’t know how to fix. Since your feedback, I’ve edited a couple of other intro paragraphs based on what you’ve taught me.” (And later…) “I have some great news! You’ll be pleased to hear I just got a cookbook deal! Thank you so much for all your help with the process. I felt I knew a lot thanks to your wisdom.— Izzah Cheema, food blogger
“Our Zoom was the highlight of my week. Talking to you was like throwing open a window of my mind, and a cool breeze came in. Our coaching sessions helped me pull my new website together. You remind of me of teachers I had when I was much younger who poked good work out of me.” — Swati Singh
When you have a writing coach, you’re not alone anymore, wondering how to get your writing done and whether it’s any good. Instead, we work together. There are deadlines, and you will turn in work. As as result, you feel encouraged, confident and energized by your progress.
Working with a coach means your chance of success will increase. As a top editor at newspapers, magazines and a publishing house, I reviewed writing submissions for decades and edited stories. I know what other editors want to see when they look at your work. I will help you crystalize and focus your ideas, improve your writing, and figure out what makes your book idea salable. While other editors fix grammar and punctuation, I’m a strategist. My specialty is understanding your idea and helping you shape it for publication.
Signing the second edition of my book, Will Write for Food, in 2010. This book is now in its fourth edition, and I’ve also co-written two cookbooks with a chef.
1. Coaching on a non-fiction book proposal
Many of the people I work with want to write a non-fiction book. It could be their first or tenth. Regardless, non-fiction books require a book proposal. A book proposal is like a sales pitch. It tells the agent or publisher why they should be interested in your book, and sells the idea.
You and I will work together on focusing your book, ensuring that the idea is exciting and sellable. You will write each part of the proposal with my guidance. I provide ideas, resources and additional information and research. I’ll edit each section and give you suggestions on how to improve the structure, focus, salability, and the writing itself.
When the proposal is complete, I’ll edit it again, ensuring it is consistent, flows properly and is exciting enough to send to an agent or publisher. You will learn how to approach an editor or agent for maximum success. I have connections to agents and can make introductions. The majority of the clients who finish a proposal with me get a book deal, many with big publishing houses.
“I had four offers. Three of the publishers said it was the best proposal they have seen in years. That is all thanks to you!” — Dora Stone, food blogger
“Your work on my proposal is thorough and outstanding. I’ve read through all of the edits and comments and now need to go back to the start and work through the specific changes. Your work on the recipes to tighten and smooth the language there is excellent; I learned a lot with your edits.”
“(For a second proposal) Thank you for your always wise and brilliant counsel. Your contributions are essential in this process of writing and sending out book proposals. Your help, encouragement, and the strength you impart led me to success.”— Maureen Abood, cookbook author and food blogger
“I couldn’t have published my cookbook without you! You helped me form my thoughts and ideas. When I finally reached out to [a literary agent], I had my proposal. She said, ‘Your intro letter was the best intro letter I’ve ever received.’ — Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, Muy Bueno.
I came to really enjoy our conversations and writing deadlines. I learned so much it felt like a class. Thank you for all your guidance. I’ve learned a lot and can see an improvement in my writing and even reading others’ recipes. — Chef Mia Castro
“I’m on the verge of starting my fourth book…this is all your fault! Shame on you for making me think I could do this…” — Belinda Smith-Sullivan
“Your insightful comments made a world of difference that turned every sentence, paragraph, and section in my proposal into a polished piece that several publishers enthusiastically responded to. Merci pour tout!” — Chris Beckman
2. Editing Help to Improve Your Writing
As an editor with decades of experience, I evaluate manuscripts, sample chapters, newsletters, blog posts, and essays. My job is to look at the pieces as a whole and make written comments about structure, style, content, and characters, plus specific comments on the page.
If you would like me to edit your work, I also edit recipes, pitches to magazines, and other writing. I’m primarily a big-picture editor, but I also untangle sentences, check spelling and grammar, move paragraphs around, and make other line edits.
“Your recipe edits are incredibly helpful.” — Jessica Smith, Inquiring Chef blog“You’re an excellent editor, and I am glad to have you as my support.” — Jasmina Hot Diglisic
“Your edits are, as always, superb.” Syndi Seid
A full-day food-writing class I taught at Cook’s Warehouse in Atlanta, GA.
3. Start a Newsletter or Blog with My Coaching
Some people want to start a newsletter or blog as a way to commuicate with their audience or find out what they’d like to write about. We’ll discuss the theme and then we might brainstorm ideas for articles or posts, and other details. Some clients have been writing for a while but want more readership or more motivation to write regularly. As a writing coach I have helped many people in both categories begin or refine their work, increasing their productivity and success.
I had a blog from 2009-2021 where I posted twice a week for two years, once a week for several more, and then eventually once every two weeks. In 2021 I transitioned to a Substack newsletter, with free and paid options. Currently almost 70 other Substack newsletter writers recommend it to their readers.
“Dianne is a superb food writing instructor, coach, and author . I have studied every edition of her book of Will Write for Food since it first came out in 2005. Dianne tutored me last fall on starting a Substack newsletter. Without her, this newsletter would not be happening. She is an excellent coach and editor. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in professional food writing who is looking for these services.” — Pastry chef Shirl Gard
“Working with Dianne was an incredibly useful and enjoyable experience. Her advice and knowledge on both writing and Substack were invaluable in enabling me to migrate my newsletter over to this new exciting platform, and to launch it with great success. She gave me the confidence to let my voice shine through my words and I learned a tremendous amount in the process. A heartfelt thank you!” — Michele Becci
Although I specialize in writing, I have a background that includes working with art directors, designers, and user interface experts, so I can help improve the blog or newsletter’s design and usability.
4. Take My Zoom Classes
“One of the things that taking your Jumpstart Your Cookbook Proposal class taught me was that I CAN make the time to write. I have your book and try to do the writing exercises. Sometimes I freeze because I am unsure of my writing. Your class was the first time I spoke about the book to anyone that didn’t know me, let alone a Zoom full of women writers. It was definitely validating and the push I needed to get this project going.” — Shachi Mehra, chef and owner, Adya restaurant
Check my events page or sign up for my newsletter to learn about upcoming classes.
5. Book a Private Consult
For years I’ve had a five-hour minimum for consulting. But now, through Delicious Experiences, we can do a Zoom call for just one hour or more. If you’ve wanted to start on your dream cookbook, get your book published, or get better freelance assignments, let’s move you forward with your goals. Writers at all levels have booked me to discuss a variety of topics. The fee is $250.
Next Steps
Please send an e-mail about your project or goals, and what you’d like to work on. Also read my Frequently Asked Questions, list of Clients, and Testimonials from people who have worked with me.
If you’d like to hire me for a one-hour conversation, choose the Private Consult above. My partner, Dellicious Experiences, will contact you to set it up.
