Hello From Livermore! Here's What I'm Working On...

Good morning from not-yet-sunny Livermore!

I say that because it's about 5 am here as I'm writing this. It's a little bit of my tradition on press trips, and I highly recommend it to anyone. Work/life doesn't allow me to be off my computer normally during any work day, and so wherever I am in the world, and whatever time zone, I try to make up the difference by starting the day early and ending it late.  It *usually* works out pretty well - though sometimes I end up writing breaking food news from the back of a van between vineyards. I'll let you know if that happens today!

This is a tactic that I am happy to share because it helps me stay present with my trip's itinerary, but also not spazz out on my other ongoing work. Also: If trying this, lots of caffeine is strongly recommended. 

Here's what I'm working on right now:

1 -  For Eat This, Not That, I'm working on a story on The #1 Cause of Abdominal Obesity. I realize this sounds similar to the belly fat story I was working on a few days ago, but they are distinct stories! I'd love experts to weigh in though in a similar format, various causes, risks, studies to refer to, what to do about it, etc. And responses by the end of day tomorrow would be fantastic please. Thanks! Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com

2 - For Forbes, I am still taking pitches for the California wines story thru tomorrow.

3 - For Merriam-Webster’s The Usage, I’m working on a roundup of best shower heads and best charcoal grills. Must be from major retailers, especially Amazon. Would love pitches by tomorrow EOD.

New this week:

1 - Merriam-Webster's The Usage is a site that launched a few weeks ago, focusing on shopping and product roundups. I've been part of the initial team working on this launch all summer and there's all sorts of content in queue. This was just published today and it's one of the first non-buying-guide type stories I've done for them. Though on a topic I'm rather familiar with!

How To Pull The Perfect Espresso Shot

2 - Recently, I shared a story about a Zoom event I had been to where the hosts were shaming those journalists who could not be on video. It was a cooking-related event - I've done probably 100 such during this past year and a half -- and I had some background stuff going on that day and couldn't be on video. I, however, was actively participating audibly and in the chat. My friend Kelly Reeves wrote a Medium post about the topic of Zoom shaming, and quoted me, and I'd love to share it. Zoom events are here to stay, when planning events, please normalize that people can't always be on video. They may be working on other things at the same time, they may have kids or pets that need attention, or they may just not be feeling camera ready at the time. If we feel shamed by attending your event...we just won't attend!

3. My friend Rachel Weingarten just quoted me in a story on how to better work with freelancers, this was more on the client or editor/writer side of the track than writer/publicist, but some of the advice I think may be helpful to all aspects of media relationships!

4. Here's some exciting news! Muck Rack just listed me as one of the top travel journalists in 2021. As someone who was SUPER apprehensive about getting back out there in the world - I haven't so much as attended an indoor event and here I was in an airport, I think seeing that was just the confidence boost I needed to go forth with this trip this week. 

That's it for now - but I'll be updating how things are going on my Instagram stories today!  Please follow along and watch me day drink in the name of journalism!

I have to make sure all the wine is OK, you guys…

Have a great day and thanks for taking the time to read this!