Dianne Jacob, Will Write For Food

Useful Tips, Interviews, and Stories to Inspire Food Writers and Bloggers

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25 Fantastic Links for Food Writers and Bloggers

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Bahn-Xeo-Vietnamese-Crepe

What have I been eating lately? Thanks for asking: A tender Bahn Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe) with cannonball flowers found outside the restaurant.

Hey there, do you have time to research stories and posts about what’s happening in our industry? I thought not.  But I do. And people send me terrific articles and posts too, which makes me happy. That’s why I like to make lists like these.

I’ve thrown in a few silly things just for fun. Because let’s not take ourselves too seriously, okay?

As a reminder, you can get fantastic links like these — on [Read more…] about 25 Fantastic Links for Food Writers and Bloggers

14 Million Deer Hunters: Hank Shaw Wants to Meet Them All

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Hank-Shaw

Author Hank Shaw has already begun his self-financed, cross-country US book tour, which continues from now into 2017.

After traditionally publishing two cookbooks through Rodale and Ten Speed, Hank Shaw wanted  a third. But when publishers passed on a cookbook based on “Deer, Elk, Moose, Antelope and Other Antlered Things,” Hank gambled on his readers. He decided to self publish.

He knew there was [Read more…] about 14 Million Deer Hunters: Hank Shaw Wants to Meet Them All

“Write Like Your Life Depended on It,” says author Carolyn Phillips

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CAROLYN-PHILLIPS

You’ll be delighted by All Under Heaven, Carolyn Phillip’s new cookbok about the 35 cuisines of China. I’m giving away a copy. Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite Chinese food. Sorry, the giveaway is for US winners only, says the publisher.

UPDATE: The winner is Annie Fenn of the Jackson Hole Foodie blog.

Now, on with the story…

If you look up “overachiever” in the dictionary, you’ll find this photo of Carolyn Phillips. A woman of voracious intellect, determination and cheeky humor, she did a deep dive into Chinese culture early in adult life. Carolyn has mastered Mandarin fluently. She can read and write it. Further, she lived in Taipei, married a fellow intellectual from Beijing, and cooked her way through [Read more…] about “Write Like Your Life Depended on It,” says author Carolyn Phillips

“Memoir Has to Risk Something,” says John Birdsall

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John-Birdsall

Food writer John Birdsall has won two James Beard Foundation awards for intensely personal essays.

A few years ago, I went outside my comfort zone. I contacted a stranger and asked to meet.

The stranger was John Birdsall, now a double James-Beard winning writer and essayist. At that time he was a restaurant reviewer for a local newspaper here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I loved his restaurant reviews.

John has since moved on to narrative non-fiction or personal essays, often about the intersection of gay culture and food. I know he’s already won awards and was published in prestigious places, but I feel like he’s just getting started and has so much more to offer us.

Here’s his take on restaurant writing, personal essay writing, and taking risks. He also has good insights about his former writing and the role of an editor. I asked him to write his answers (rather than me interviewing him), so you can get a sense of his style:

Q. How does your background as a restaurant and catering cook influence your food writing? Do you believe that people who write about food should have professional experience or culinary training?

A. For a long time I didn’t think it did: Cooking seemed a prelude disconnected from [Read more…] about “Memoir Has to Risk Something,” says John Birdsall

When a Reader Found a Cookbook Error

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mac-cheese-pizza-recipe

Ever tried a mac and cheese pizza? It’s fantastic! If you have the correct recipe. Ouch. (Photo by Jeff Kauck)

An email arrived about an error. It was the kind all cookbook authors all dread. Someone was making the Mac and Cheese Pizza recipe in the cookbook I co-wrote, The United States of Pizza. But something was wrong.

Here’s the recipe error the writer pointed out:

“The ingredient list calls for  [Read more…] about When a Reader Found a Cookbook Error

Allrecipes Magazine Wants to Hear from Bloggers

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NicholeAksamit-Allrecipes

Senior Editor Nichole Aksamit says she’s always looking for new writers, especially those with “social coattails.”

Magazines need reliable writers and new blood. Nichole Aksamit, Senior Editor of three-year old Allrecipes magazine, says she’s always on the prowl for new talent.

“Consider your interests, skills and forthcoming projects,” explains Nichole. “We want down-to-earth stories with a focus on [Read more…] about Allrecipes Magazine Wants to Hear from Bloggers