Writers/Newspaper People, Help?

[Jester]

As many of you know, I am a foodie. Have been for a while. And I go out quite often with friends to different restaurants, here and wherever I go. I love dining out, I love the experience, I love the food, and I love talking about the food, good or bad.

So I have been pondering, for some time now (many, many months) about writing a restaurant review column, under a pseudonym. (I know too many people in this town to do it with my name on it.)

Question: how the hell do I pitch this idea to the local daily newspaper and/or the weeklies?

My thought is to actually write a few, and then go in to their offices with this portfolio, and then....what? I dunno.

Lord knows I can write. Lord knows I can criticize and praise with equal ability. Lord knows I can DO this. But the question is not my ability to perform, but my ability to convince someone of that, and that they need this in their publication....and perhaps even that they pay me (though that is, frankly, not a huge priority).

So.....suggestions? Comments? Brilliant ideas? Guidance? Job offers?

[AdminAssistant]

I have NO idea, really, but maybe start up a food blog? That might be a way to get going - get some experience, feedback, and publicity.

[Seshat]

Write a few, definitely. They will need a folio of examples of your work.

They'll also need evidence of your ability to produce consistently and on time. Newspaper deadlines are ABSOLUTE.

A smaller paper may just be glad to have someone who can write well; they have fewer people looking for work with them. Even so, providing your copy in advance of the deadline will make you very popular with your editor.