food writing

Should You Co-Write a Book? 7 Tips to Help You Decide

November 15, 2016 by diannejacob Leave a Comment

Food writer Casey Barber wrote a few of her own cookbooks before exploring a co-writing opportunity. She interviews successful co-writers for this post.

It can feel overwhelming to take on a solo cookbook project versus co-writing one. You’ve got to hit on the right topic. You write and rewrite a proposal. You invest in a year or more of your life in the result.

Why not consider co-writing or ghostwriting instead? As a co-writer, I can vouch that it’s a refreshing change of pace. I like to dive into someone else’s world and work alongside a professional who’s not a writer.

Besides, “It’s crucial to have a writing pro at the chef’s side,” says Dorothy Kalins. A former Saveur and Newsweek editor, Kalins has worked with [Read more…] about Should You Co-Write a Book? 7 Tips to Help You Decide

On Writing an Award-Winning Essay

October 4, 2016 by diannejacob 29 Comments

Can you tell that I still love mangoes, the subject of my essay? My local supermarket stocks succulent Atulfos, similar to the ones my dad adored. (Photo by Owen Rubin.)

You might think that writers who win awards have natural talent and dash off their stories in an afternoon. That’s the stereotype. Yes, a story I wrote called The Meaning of Mangoes won two national awards! But I didn’t dash it off, and it took me forever.

Here’s the path of my mango essay and what I learned:

Sixteen years ago, I wrote a piece about my parents and mangoes. A start-up website published it. It happened because I sat next to a woman during an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) conference, and told her a few stories. The next day she [Read more…] about On Writing an Award-Winning Essay

5 Things I Learned From Selling Almost 300,000 Cookbooks

September 27, 2016 by diannejacob 6 Comments

Melissa Joulwan has sold almost 300,000 copies of her two self-published paleo cookbooks. Her newest cookbook, WellFed Weeknights, debuts in November.

A guest post by Melissa Joulwan

Five years ago, my husband Dave and I decided to self publish our first cookbook, Well Fed. We had only the vaguest idea of what we were getting ourselves into. I’d written a previous book for a major publisher and didn’t enjoy the experience, so we knew what we didn’t want. But we were naïve about all the steps it would take to move our book from “great idea” to retail bookshelves and bestseller status.

Since then, we’ve released Well Fed 2, and sold almost 300,000 copies of both books. We’re about to launch our third book, Well Fed Weeknights. I’ve learned it’s wildly rewarding to [Read more…] about 5 Things I Learned From Selling Almost 300,000 Cookbooks

Win a Signed Copy of Will Write for Food

August 16, 2016 by diannejacob 83 Comments

WWFFIIIcover.border What? 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. [Read more…] about Win a Signed Copy of Will Write for Food

Allrecipes Magazine Wants to Hear from Bloggers

August 9, 2016 by diannejacob 6 Comments

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