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Coffee Break for Writers Monthly E-zine |
In This Issue: Straight Talk From the Editor Feature: "Write Recipes That Sell" Paying Recipe Markets Writing and Publishing News Writing Exercise for Writers Who Blog Free Recipe Contests Caf้ Fun Legal Information Advertising Information Suggestions Feedback Brewing for March 2008 Straight Talk From the Editor Before I made freelance writing my full-time job, I worked in restaurants as a short-order cook, because aside from writing I enjoyed cooking. I don't cook as often anymore, but when I do, I love fixing new recipes. Of course, you have to cook the recipe as written the first time, but once you've done that, you can always tweak it to make it better the next time around. Do you enjoy cooking and coming up with new recipes? Then this month's issue of Coffee Break for Writers should be right up your alley. In our feature article, Pamela White explains how to write recipes that will sell. Then you can check out the sidebar as well as our Paying Markets section for a list of publications that will buy your recipes. Enjoy! Never give up on your dreams work toward them, Misti Sandefur Has Coffee Break for Writers helped you land a new client, publish an article or
enhanced your freelance writing skills? Then by all means, please tell let us know how we've helped you. Maybe you have suggestions on how we can improve our e-zine ... feel free to send
those our way as well. Write Recipes That Sell By Pamela White Writers that love exploring the culinary arts and those who just love to eat can turn their gastronomic explorations into money by developing and writing recipes for the hundreds of food-related magazines and newspaper sections. There is more than one way to write a recipe. Most recipes fall into three styles: Conventional: This recipe begins with a list of ingredients, then goes through the steps of preparation. In this style, the description of the process of preparing the dish is written in paragraph format. Conventional-Command: This is very similar to the first method, but after the list of ingredients, the instructions are written in a numbered list detailing the steps. Action-Step-Command: This method lists the ingredients but doesn't include the specific ingredients when writing out the process used when putting them together. An example of this is a recipe that says "sautee vegetables," or "blend all liquids." The elements of a recipe include the title, an introduction or a few paragraphs telling the story of the recipe, special requirements, a list of ingredients as they appear in the recipe and the method of preparation, cooking and serving. Title: What words or phrase will explain your recipe and make it of interest to your reader? You can use a simple title like "Cinnamon-apple pie" or nostalgic like "Gram's Granny Smith Cobbler" or fun like "Apple Pie-in-the- Sky." You can also start a trend by creating a new chicken casserole and calling it Chicken Toledo, whether it was inspired by a meal you had in Toledo, Spain or Toledo, Ohio. Introduction: Use this sentence or paragraph to win your readers over and encourage them to try the recipe. Describe the complexity of the flavors. Share other benefits your recipe offers to the cook: low-fat, kids love it, one-pot cooking. Story Behind the Recipe: The author may include a story about growing beets for a beet recipe, or a memoir of the first time she hand-cranked ice cream for a dessert cookbook. Sometimes authors write about their inspiration for the recipe: a trip abroad, a meal at a restaurant or a personal revelation about healthy eating. Special Requirements: List the tools, pans and how they need to be prepared (buttered and floured), preheating required, time it takes to prepare, time it takes to cook or bake and number of servings. Include substitutions for ingredients that might be difficult to find, and if the dish or any part of it can be prepared ahead of time. Share how to store leftovers (it freezes well). You can also include serving suggestions by offering possible side dishes. Don't forget any unusual tools or equipment needed. The Ingredients: This part is key because editors want the ingredients written in a specific format: List the ingredients in the order they appear in the method part (or the how-to) of the recipe Spell out the measurements two tablespoons, not 2 T. Include what is done to the ingredient when appropriate one cup onion, diced. Or to be more specific, write one cup diced onion. Note that there is a difference between one cup onion, diced, and one cup diced onion for the novice cook, just as there is a difference between one tablespoon melted butter and one tablespoon butter, melted. Experienced cooks won't sweat the measurement, but newer cooks might try to do it exactly as written. It is best to write one cup diced onion or one tablespoon butter, melted. The Method: Write out how will this recipe be prepared and cooked to completion. The steps will include everything that needs to be done and when. Make sure the method is presented in order, just as the ingredients are presented in the order in which they appear in the method part of the recipe. If you leave out one step, the recipe will be ruined. While we all think we would have no trouble in writing perfect recipes, we can forget something that is so natural to us, like stirring the wet ingredients into the dry just until they are lumpy. You can write out the method or the directions in different ways. Numbering the steps is perfect for a cooking-is-easy cookbook, but is also appropriate for the most complex of French recipes. For example: From the "Natural Gourmet" by AnneMarie Colbin: 1. "Mince the garlic and mash with the salt. Place the garlic, coconut, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, cloves, peanuts, turmeric, cayenne and water in a blender and blend until smooth." 2. "Mince the onion. Cut the cauliflower into the small florets." 3. "In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil. Add the onion and saut้ over medium-low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes." You can also divide the steps into paragraphs. From "The Book of Whole Meals" by AnneMarie Colbin: "Place the couscous in a large bowl, sprinkle with the oil, then rub the mixture quickly between your hands to coat all the grains with oil. Transfer the couscous to a serving dish and set aside. Combine the kombu, fish, and water in a 2-quart pot; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes." As long as you write the steps clearly and in order, you will be allowing your readers to attain success with your recipes. If you decide that the equipment needed for your finest recipes is fairly standard in todays kitchens, then you dont need to include it at the top of the recipe. Or if you provide alternate ways to do a step, like melting chocolate in a microwave instead of a double boiler, you can avoid listing a piece of equipment in the introduction to your recipe(s). Before submitting any recipe for publication, test it two or three times to make sure you have every step written down and that the finished product is consistent with each preparation. Always read several issues of any magazine for which you plan to write. Notice what types of recipes they use and how many recipes are used in each article. Contact the magazine for specific writer's guidelines. For more information on writing recipes for publication, there is "The Recipe Writer's Handbook" by Barbara Gibbs Ostmann and Jane L. Baker. Pamela White is the editor and publisher of Food Writing e-zine and author of "Make Money as a Food Writer in Six Lessons," available at amazon.com. More Paying Recipe Markets Are you looking for writers to compose quizzes for your publication? If so, send your information to Coffee Break for Writers. Your information will then be posted in our March 2008 issue. There is only one requirement: you MUST pay writers at a rate of $.10 or more per word or a flat rate of $25 or more. It won't cost you a dime to have your call for writers placed in Coffee Break for Writers. Deadline for sending your information: March 1, 2008. This month's market listings will be a short list of paying recipe markets. Good luck! Better Homes and Gardensฎ "Better Homes and Gardensฎ is the vibrant, down-to-earth guide for the woman who is PASSIONATE about her home and garden and all that they encompass." Payment information: $300 and up for recipes. Children's Playmate "Children's Playmate features creative stories, poems, rebuses, recipes, activities, crafts, science experiments and health articles for children ages 6 to 8." Payment information: Pays up to $.17 per word. Family Value Coupons "This magazine is unlike any you will ever see. Its full-color, glossy design makes it immediately attractive. It is a unique hybrid of a high-end lifestyle magazine and the traditional coupon magazines distributed in countries such as the United States. You will find great savings from your favorite stores, as well as interesting articles about people and issues that matter to you. Best of all, Family Value Coupon Magazine is delivered to your mailbox, FREE OF CHARGE." Payment information: $50 per recipe. Traveling Mom "Travelingmom.com is an online community and information center for moms who travel with and without their kids." Payment information: Pays $25 to $50. Turtle Magazine for Preschool Kids "Features easy, healthful recipes that teach kids basic kitchen skills and nutrition facts." Payment information: Pays up to $.22 per word. Writing and Publishing News Have you launched a new e-zine, newsletter, magazine, blog or Web site for writers? Has your publication made editorial changes? Are you currently running a contest for writers that doesn't require an entry fee? Will you be hosting an upcoming event for writers? Send us your press release and your news could appear in the next edition of Coffee Break for Writers! Editorial Comings and Goings: Digital Web Magazine welcomed Matthew Pennell as their new editor-in-chief. GameSpot promoted Ricardo Torres from editorial director to editor-in-chief. More magazine named Lesley Jane Seymour as their new editor-in-chief in January 2008. New Magazines in 2007: Conservationist for Kids published their debut issue in December 2007. This new environment magazine for kids in New York State will allows kids to explore the great outdoors in New York State and learn about other kids and what their doing to help the environment. Check out the debut issue of Conservationist for Kids today! The award-winning online magazine entitled NewWest.Net just launched The New West, which is their first print publication. The New West will cover growth and development in the Mountain West. Check out Talk Business Quarterly (TBQ), a new quarterly magazine that will feature reports on business and political issues, news reporting, executive profiles and more. Roby Brock is the owner and producer of TBQ. Be on the lookout for CVS Pharmacy's debut magazine entitled Great Health Magazine. "Since Great Health will be distributed only to the top tier health brand buyers of CVS Pharmacy's 75-million Extra Care card-holders, its demographics are perfect for the pharmaceutical or healthcare marketer," Bob Preston, publisher of Great Health Magazine, stated in a recent press release. Warning for Writers: Victoria Strauss from the Writer Beware Blog has asked writers to be cautious of Vezeo.com, a recently launched e-zine/blog. Discover the reasons why Ms. Strauss warned writers about this Web site that is actively seeking freelance writers on her Writer Beware Blog. Writing Exercise for Writers Who Blog Does your blog feature link love posts on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis? If so, try getting your readers' attention by writing a creative link love. This writing exercise was inspired by Michele Tune from Writing the Cyber Highway. Michele got my attention by putting a completely new spin on her link love list. To see an example of this month's writing exercise to write a creative link love list, read Michele Tune's "Bringing in 2007 With (Link) Love". Free Recipe Contests Baby Food Recipe Competition Prize: $20 Amazon gift certificate plus publication. Deadline: Did not specify. Just Tomatoes Recipe Contest Prize: Two grand prize winners will receive $500 in addition to two free products a month for one year. Deadline: April 15, 2008 Caf้ Fun How well do you know your writing and publishing history without researching the answer? Complete the five trivia questions that follow, and then check the answers in next month's issue to see how well you really did know the writing and publishing history without looking up the answers. This should be interesting, so have fun and good luck! 1. When did F+W Publications publish the debut issue of Writer's Digest magazine? 2. Who was the founder of Amazon.com? 3. What year was the National Writers Union founded? 4. When was the first commercially successful typewriter invented and by whom? 5. Microsoft Word was first released in what year? Legal Information Coffee Break for Writers has made every effort to be factual with regard to the content and information provided in this e-zine; however, your results may vary. Coffee Break for Writers accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from the use of the information generated within this e-zine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form either whole or in part without the written permission of the copyright owner. Violations of this copyright notice will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law. If you're interested in any article published in this e-zine, you must contact the editor of Coffee Break for Writers. When inquiring about an article, make sure to mention the title and author of the article. Upon receipt of your inquiry, Coffee Break for Writers will forward your request to the copyright owner of the article or articles. Advertising Information Coffee Break for Writers e-zine is an advertisement-free publication. Therefore, we do not place any advertise- ments in this section of our Website. However, we will accept advertisements on other sections of this Web site as long as they relate to the writing or publishing industry. We offer advertising at an affordable rate. To find out more about our advertising, visit Affordable Advertising. Once there, you will also find our demographics. Suggestions If you have any suggestions at all for future issues of Coffee Break for Writers, send them our way. It can be suggestions for articles, new columns or etc. Feedback We also welcome your comments on anything in this issue, past issues or future issues. Don't be shy; send your letter to the editor. We value every word. Brewing for March 2008: Another article by Pamela White on how to write and sell quizzes. Publications that pay for quizzes. ... and much more! |
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Paying Recipe Markets AARP Magazine Attn: Editorial Submissions 601 E St., NW Washington, DC 20049 Pay: $1 per word Backhome Magazine Linda Loveless, Editor P.O. Box 70 Hendersonville, NC 28793 Pay: $35 per published page Central PA Magazine Steve Kennedy, Senior Editor WITF, Inc. 4801 Lindle Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 Pay: Varies Cooking Light Alison Ashton, Senior Food Editor P.O. Box 1748 Birmingham, AL 35201 Pay: $250 per recipe Italian Cooking and Living Editorial Office 302 Fifth Ave., 9th Floor New York, NY 10001 Pay: Varies Yankee Magazine Justin Shatwell P.O. Box 520 Dublin, NH 03444 Pay: Varies |
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