Tuesday: Dirty martini ... chicken?! (Yup, I went there...) + lots of newly published content.
PLUS: New assignments pending this week!
Good morning!
Hello from the first Substack email I’m sending from my new computer…(which BTW has such an epic battery life, I can’t even imagine how much more productive I will be as I go about my day, without being eternally at the mercy of a power outlet…!)
But anyway…
I mentioned in my newsletter over the weekend that I was working on a recipe project I was pretty excited about…and here it is.
For Food Network, I tried to recreate the Dirty Martini-inspired pasta trending on TikTok — this takes everything we love about a perfect martini and reimagines it as pasta. Read my article to see how it went - but spoiler alert: It’s absolutely being added to my weeknight rotation.
But because I can never leave well enough alone, I decided to reinvent this recipe a bit and try it in a new way. So, inspired by the Dirty Martini Pasta, I created a Dirty Martini Chicken. Check out my TikTok for how I did it!
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Today will be a busy day where I try to cram three events into one afternoon/evening while also attempting to stay on top of my daily workload and agenda (which was commonplace when I was a few years younger, but not something I do much these days…) but hey, if you are going to venture into the city, make it extra count!
More on all I have going on today/tonight later, but for now…you’re actually here to see what else I’m working on….
Newly published or freshly updated
Since people are often asking about the status of stories from a while ago, and I only share stories in this newsletter that were published or updated in the current week, I have created a list of my author pages at various publications to which I contribute. Bookmark it and make your life a bit easier.
This list will live on my Substack URL and be updated as necessary. That way, you can see what I’m doing at any publication, at any time, from types of stories to general structure of stories to even volume and frequency of my content at that outlet.
This can also help you to target pitching a bit better. That makes your job easier, and mine too!
PS: I love doing podcasts! Check out my guest appearance on the Italian Wine Podcast this week, where we discussed all things Substack. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we chatted about everything from press dinners and events and trips to, well, sippin’! I’ve recorded a few others that should be live soon as well and I’m always open to doing more — email me at alywalansky@gmail.com.
Food Network: I Tried TikTok’s Dirty Martini Pasta – And It Belongs in Your Weeknight Pasta Rotation
Food Network: This Distillery Is So Proud of Their Gin, They Found a Way To Wear It
Forbes.com: This Retreat Is The Perfect Getaway For Meat Lovers This Father's Day
Forbes.com: Martini Lovers Headed To NYC Have Found Their Dream Retreat
Forbes.com: 9 Cocktails To Celebrate Dad This Father’s Day
RetailMeNot: Father’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts To Stock His Freezer
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Dad Who Loves To Grill
Forbes.com: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Cookbooks To Add To His Collection
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Culinary Traveler
If you or your client are featured in any of these stories, I super appreciate any social media shares! Please remember to tag @alywalansky and the outlet.
Here’s what I’m working on:
Be sure to read the below list carefully. Many are stories I posted about yesterday, but some of yesterday's stories are no longer listed and a few new ones have been added since yesterday. This (below) is everything that is still a currently open opportunity as of today.
Please remember when pitching me: Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com - do NOT just hit reply on this newsletter, or there’s a good shot your email will be lost in the heap. Give your email a subject line that makes it clear which story you are pitching me for — it’ll help you in the long run.
Please consult my industry insights guides on submitting expert commentary, sending emails that will catch a journalist’s attention, how to craft pitches journalists will say ‘yes’ to, and the right and wrong way to submit photos, if you need any extra guidance before sending your pitches.
Southern Living
I’m doing stories right now on both English cucumbers and white peaches (different stories!). Looking for produce experts, chefs, farmers, dietician/nutritionist and a botanist or similar professional etc, to weigh in on both. Please do not send commentary without emailing me first, I have a specific list of questions for each. Thanks!
RetailMeNot
All the Best Fourth of July Sales to Shop Now: I’m working on an update of this story from last year. A lot of these might change, so note any run-through dates IF the retailer has those when pitching me. Otherwise, it's OK to describe the sale as "for a limited time." I’m going to try to include spots such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Ancestry, 23andMe, Fitbit IF they are throwing a sale. If pitching me for this one, please be sure to include what's on sale, how to shop it, the promo code (if any). Maybe the promo code is storewide, so that makes it super flexible. Whatever the shopper needs to know about how and WHY to shop the sale.
I’m also updating this story from last year: Stores Open Fourth of July + Fourth of July Store Hours. Please look at last year’s version for an idea of format and what I’m looking for - and if I included your store hours or sales last year, feel free to reach out and give me updates!
Forbes.com
For Father’s Day, I’m looking for chefs to share one way their own dad or a father figure in their life inspired their work as a chef. Perhaps it’s a kitchen technique or recipe or even a philosophy about an ingredient or food or cooking in general. Please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com if you have chefs open to giving commentary (even better if they can share some sweet photos of them and their dad in the kitchen!)
Outlander is coming back soon (and droughtlander is finally ending!) so I was wondering if there’s any bar/restaurants doing fun cocktails in celebration of the return? Let me know!
Looking to up your affiliate marketing game?
Affiliate marketing is complicated, and it seems that the landscape keeps changing. If you are looking to be prepared for gift guide season and all other shopping-related content, you may want to try the Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists. It's a brilliant course and it'll answer all your questions (including some you didn't know you had!)
Virtual (and now in-person!) consulting sessions...
Looking for a consult as you plan your next event or trip? Or just want someone to take a look at the pitches you’ve been sending and give some feedback?
I've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and some other fun stuff and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. I like to keep these things chill and comfortable and relaxed all by sharing perspective and learning from one another. Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat!
If you are interested in setting anything up for your own team in the coming months, please email me and we'll get something on the books! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts. If you are a freelance publicist and want to join in with a few other freelance publicist friends and set something up, we can do that as well!
Have a great day!
I received my headband in the mail today! Can't wait to wear - it's so pink and shiny!
Sorry for your loss.
Do step outside and have a good Wednesday.