Review of a book on how to become a food writer - aka food critic.
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 .
About the Author
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. She is the marketing and promotions director of Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine.