NEWSPAPERS AND THE WEEKLY FOOD SECTION by Pamela White
I love the food sections in our local newspapers. I scan the
recipes, note the food trends, look for food-filled events,
and visualize my name right along the other syndicated and
local food writers. Eventually, I finish reading the food
news and only have next week's papers to look forward to.
No longer! Most newspapers have online versions that include
their popular food news and recipe articles. Not only is this
fun for food writers (and food lovers), it's also an ongoing,
easily accessible, free education into what the different
newspapers are publishing.
- Scan the recipes for seasonal tips you can use in your own
writing, even if you have to hold on to them for nine months
before they come back into fashion.
- Read the food news - who is producing what new additive,
where are the hottest trends starting, which exotic cuisines
are marching across the U.S.
- Look for the names of the food section editor, food editor,
features editor, or Sunday editor. Most newspaper websites
have email contact information opening up opportunities for
food writers to pitch their own ideas.
- Notice the types of articles the largest newspapers (who
hire the most freelance work) use. Are they all related to
the newspapers home town? Are most from abroad? Use this
information to help you plan out your newspaper writing
goals.
- Look at the photography. Use a published photographer's
work as a lesson for yourself. Is the food standing alone,
decorated, on a busy table, with serving spoon, with a
helping missing, with flowers, brightly colored or
monochromatic?
- Reading a few newspapers' food sections also provides
insight into which papers syndicate their writers, and which
writers are syndicated. Note what type of columns are being
syndicated for your own reference.
Weekly food sections are more than entertainment. They
educate, guide and influence food writers. If you want to
learn, or especially if you plan on breaking into newspapers
with your food writing, make a weekly date, online, with food
sections around the country.
For easy reference to get you started visit:
http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/newspaper.htm
for a round-up of newspapers online.
About the Author
Pamela White is the publisher of Food Writing, an online newsletter for writers who love food. She is also the teacher of the original online food writing class. More information on the newsletter and the class are avaialable at
www.food-writing.com .
