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Resource Guide
for Food Writers
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Here's one author who took writing
about food, to a new level.
Become a Food Writer
By Pam White
Online publisher Fabjob.com believes its found a new niche for itself:
providing career guides for those dream jobs that aren’t advertised widely
and aren’t taught in college. Pamela White has contributed "Become a Food
Writer" to this series. As a food critic, or restaurant reviewer, for a
daily newspaper in New York state, Ms. White speaks with enthusiasm and
experience.
Pamela White's "Become a Food Writer" provides, according to book critic
Ro Steppe, "readers with ...both internal and external links to excellent
sources of information, advice on how to market..., and tips for improving
food knowledge." Reviewer Taryn Palidiy says the book "is a concise and
fun-to-read guide with great advice on how to get started in food
writing."
A strong focus of the book is putting certain myths about being food
critic to rest. Jobs in this field may be plentiful, but they are rarely
full time positions. Readers looking for a full time career in food
writing might search for a food editor opening at a magazine or major
newspaper. Other food critics make an exciting living reviewing
restaurants, writing on food for magazines and publishing their own
newsletters or websites.
A second pet peeve of Ms. White’s is the notion that anybody can be a
restaurant reviewer. “It takes a skillful palate, a desire to keep up with
trends and experiment with new food, an ability to overcome any food
phobias and a stomach of steel,” she laughs. “And no, it isn’t just a
matter of forcing my personal preferences on readers. Careful
consideration of the food quality and creativity are primary, not my
personal favorites and petty dislikes.”
It may be more common sense than a secret how to break into the field of
restaurant reviewing. Without giving away all the best tidbits, it’s safe
to share that self-promotion, cooking lessons, writing seminars,
networking, writing experience and a pronounced passion add up to a
successful career in food writing.
Lately she has moved beyond the written word and into the virtual
classroom as teacher of WritersCollege.com's online class "Eat, Drink and
Make Money: All About Food Writing, where she prepares students to join
the ranks of food journalists.
When asked why she wrote the book, Ms. White responded, “When I applied
for a newspaper opening for food critic, I was equally passionate about
the culinary arts and writing, but I wasn’t convinced I knew how to
combine the two. I searched far and wide for reference material and found
only two books that served food writers.” She then wrote out her own road
map for learning about food writing in general and restaurant reviewing in
particular.
Luckily for future restaurant reviewers and food writers, it is this road
map, including markets and associations, that Ms. White has shared in
FabJob's "Become a Food Writer."
The book may be purchased at http://www.fabjob.com/foodwriter.asp.
E-mail: pwhite05@twcny.rr.com
Author's URL:
http://www.bizymoms.com/cgi-bin/sgx/shop.cgi?afnum=10186&page=ms1.html
Author Notes: Pamela White is a home-based freelance writer focusing on
food, parenting and writing topics. Her ebooks, including Making Money
Mystery Shopping, and Operate Your Own Paint and Wallpapering Business are
available exclusively from Bizymoms.com. “Become a Food Writer” is
available at Fabjob.com
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