It's a shame that someone commented on your book which includes how to make food writing more inclusive. Food is about sharing and it's what binds us together in so many ways. There are so many cuisines and cultures that meet at the table, it's good to be aware that the table is big enough for everyone and we should do what we can to not exclude anyone.
Dear Dianne, I'm sorry to hear about that review. I have purchased and read both the last and previous edition of Will Write for Food and appreciate them wholeheartedly. The food writing industry is changing (🎊) and it's only fair to report on this. Thank you for your newsletter and books. Heading over to Goodreads to leave my review! All the best xx
Thank you for this piece and for including me and the young writers! A gruff editor is never fun. There is little exchange. You showed the young writers, as you have shown me, that a good editor cares about the words and cares about the writer.
Some of the best I have worked with are writers who also deal with editors and can empathize with their writers. Their continued learning helps us and inspires. I love how Will Write for Food did not stop after the first edition second edition. You continue to be an inspiring, helpful voice, and a whip-smart editor.
Thank you Melissa. It's been a pleasure to work with you and the kids. I was taken aback by how well-spoken they were, and by how they did their assignments like pros.
Responding to your question about editors. Worst experience was at the beginning of the pandemic. I wrote a piece interviewing three local women who had lost their incomes/jobs and had pivoted to find new fulfilling outlets. I had a new editor (who I read had been an investigative reporter on political issues. He must have been from the "Just, the facts, ma'am" school of writing.) He cut out every mention of their feelings (e.g, "I so was so depressed until I found...") Hello!? That was the point! I had to argue about every single cut and finally he put them all back in, but what a waste of energy!
Now I am enjoying having the most supportive food editor (in a different publication). She is appreciative and specific about what she especially likes in my writing. Heaven!!
I'm sure he wasn't used to your kind of writing, where people talk about their feelings. That's amazing that you got him to put the cuts back in. Good job. And now you have the editor you deserve.
It's a shame that someone commented on your book which includes how to make food writing more inclusive. Food is about sharing and it's what binds us together in so many ways. There are so many cuisines and cultures that meet at the table, it's good to be aware that the table is big enough for everyone and we should do what we can to not exclude anyone.
So true. I guess I didn't think about white readers who might object to the discussion.
Dear Dianne, I'm sorry to hear about that review. I have purchased and read both the last and previous edition of Will Write for Food and appreciate them wholeheartedly. The food writing industry is changing (🎊) and it's only fair to report on this. Thank you for your newsletter and books. Heading over to Goodreads to leave my review! All the best xx
Thank you Sinu, for understanding. I do have a background as a reporter, and I like to report on trends that affect us all as food writers.
Thank you for this piece and for including me and the young writers! A gruff editor is never fun. There is little exchange. You showed the young writers, as you have shown me, that a good editor cares about the words and cares about the writer.
Some of the best I have worked with are writers who also deal with editors and can empathize with their writers. Their continued learning helps us and inspires. I love how Will Write for Food did not stop after the first edition second edition. You continue to be an inspiring, helpful voice, and a whip-smart editor.
Thank you Melissa. It's been a pleasure to work with you and the kids. I was taken aback by how well-spoken they were, and by how they did their assignments like pros.
Responding to your question about editors. Worst experience was at the beginning of the pandemic. I wrote a piece interviewing three local women who had lost their incomes/jobs and had pivoted to find new fulfilling outlets. I had a new editor (who I read had been an investigative reporter on political issues. He must have been from the "Just, the facts, ma'am" school of writing.) He cut out every mention of their feelings (e.g, "I so was so depressed until I found...") Hello!? That was the point! I had to argue about every single cut and finally he put them all back in, but what a waste of energy!
Now I am enjoying having the most supportive food editor (in a different publication). She is appreciative and specific about what she especially likes in my writing. Heaven!!
I'm sure he wasn't used to your kind of writing, where people talk about their feelings. That's amazing that you got him to put the cuts back in. Good job. And now you have the editor you deserve.