Writing about coffee
I started my career as a barista almost two years ago as a way to help pay my way through journalism school. I'm approaching my last semester in college, and I've decided that I don't want to give up my tamp and portafilter completely. I'm looking for a way to marry my two loves, writing and coffee, into an amazing career. I'd like to write about coffee for a magazine or trade publication, like Barista Magazine, or even for an established coffee website or blog. I'm wondering if anyone who currently writes about coffee has any advice on how to break into this side of the business, or if anyone has any tips on who might be looking for coffee writers now (freelance or otherwise). Thanks for your help!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on
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I'm not a writer or a publisher but suggest you start writing articles and posting them as blog entries here...if you're good you'll likely get noticed. This IS an established coffee centric website!
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Vaaler on
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Hi Luke,
This is exactly what I do. My advice is to start your own blog. Whether it be on here, wordpress, blogger, Examiner, etc. Worry about getting content up and getting your name out. Do this through social media networks and commenting on other coffee blogger sites. Build your brand and the work will come.
I could go on and on, but if you would like to chat more about this, check out my site and let's chat.
Good luck!
Jennifer
dailydemitasse.com
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Permalink Reply by Marshall Fuss on
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Luke,
It's not as hard as you may think. The best way to start as a writer is to ... write!
Write an article on a new subject or with a new angle and submit it to the Senior Editors of the journals you admire (one at a time, please). They are always looking for fresh content. If they like your work, they will polish it up for publication and, voila!, you're a coffee writer.
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Permalink Reply by Brady on
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Perhaps I'm wrong, but my impression is that Luke isn't as interested in writing about coffee as he may have initially thought. His original post was about a month ago, yet today there's nothing here or in the blogosphere (at least that I can find) by him about coffee.
This sounds pretty harsh, but come on... even I have a coffee blog at this point. Its pretty easy to put something up, especially on here. If you have any desire to say something, its pretty hard NOT to put something up.
I like all of the advice given above. Luke - if you're still out there... write something! Heck, it doesn't pay, but WE'RE looking for coffee writers. A good blog post on this site would be nice.
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Nah, you're not being harsh. Talk is cheap. Actions count.
Brady said:Perhaps I'm wrong, but my impression is that Luke isn't as interested in writing about coffee as he may have initially thought. His original post was about a month ago, yet today there's nothing here or in the blogosphere (at least that I can find) by him about coffee.
This sounds pretty harsh, but come on... even I have a coffee blog at this point. Its pretty easy to put something up, especially on here. If you have any desire to say something, its pretty hard NOT to put something up.
I like all of the advice given above. Luke - if you're still out there... write something! Heck, it doesn't pay, but WE'RE looking for coffee writers. A good blog post on this site would be nice.
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As I read Luke's post, he went to school to be a journalist and wants to write for magazines "or even" a website. For all we know, he's busy writing the follow up to Ukers' "All About Coffee."
Give the guy a break. Print journalism isn't dead quite yet.
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Maybe yes maybe no. Guy pops on and asks people to take their time and give them input. Doesn't take his time to acknowledge given input.
Marshall Fuss said:As I read Luke's post, he went to school to be a journalist and wants to write for magazines "or even" a website. For all we know, he's busy writing the follow up to Ukers' "All About Coffee."
Give the guy a break. Print journalism isn't dead quite yet.
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Ah, ingratitude. That's another issue. I never looked at the original post date.
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Permalink Reply by Luke Passow on
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Apparently talk IS cheap (cough...cough...Mike and Brady). I'm still going to school. Coffee is a hobby, and I'd LIKE to make it more than that. That doesn't mean I necessarily have time to act on this right away. I acknowledge that I haven't responded, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what people are saying. This is a discussion forum, not some class assignment. Thanks Jennifer and Marshall for your help. And if anyone has anymore constructive advice, I would appreciate it. Summer break is coming up and I plan on devoting more time to this then. Thank you.
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