Wednesday: Everything happening in Dallas this week (a lot!) + sourcing for a handful of new assignments!
Good morning!
I’m having a blast this week in Dallas, and my trip is only half over!
In the last two days, I’ve gotten to get behind the bar at the coolest spot and make martinis (yes, Dirty Alys were clearly involved), go inside the kitchen and make fresh tortillas, and at another restaurant, learn how to make a pecan pie!
Check out some fun pictures and memories on my Instagram:
I packed so much into the last two days - and I can’t wait to see what the next few days will hold. (I already have so much great stuff on tap…!)
But in other news, some fun stories have gone live since the last email, and I’m pretty excited about them — this includes for The Kitchn: 11 Best Breads for Thanksgiving Stuffing, According to Chefs, and Clean Plates: I’m a Food Writer and These 7 Trader Joe’s Meals Are Always Stocked in My Freezer.
(When I write about myself, you can bet it’s food related!)
But I also have a handful of new assignments I’m sourcing for — so read on below!
PS: Don’t forget I’m offering a staggering 50% off sale on subscriptions this month only as my Friendsgiving special offer!
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!
Buy my cookbook!
I contributed a recipe and some commentary to a Jewish recipes cookbook and the 100% of the proceeds go to JFSLA, and earmarked for Food & Hunger Programs specifically. Order it here.
PS: I love doing podcasts!
My latest podcast appearance, on the Media In Minutes podcast, is now live! This was a really fun one:
I recently recorded a guest appearance on the True Story public relations podcast with Whitney Lee, and we chatted about everything from pitching to press tours and how to build a more personal connection (more important now than ever).
Recently, I was also a guest on the Eat.Drink.Social podcast, and we chatted about my upcoming travel, recent press trip experiences, and so much more. Check out my guest appearance a little while ago on Jamie Stone’s A Little Too Much podcast. We had SO much fun discussing everything from the changing landscape of events and trips to our thoughts on some emerging food and cocktail trends.
Some of my latest podcast appearances include Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast, where we discussed all things Substack, and the Coffee N° 5 podcast, where we chatted about effective strategies for promoting emerging brands to journalists and securing media coverage. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we covered 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.
The Kitchn: 11 Best Breads for Thanksgiving Stuffing, According to Chefs
Clean Plates: I’m a Food Writer and These 7 Trader Joe’s Meals Are Always Stocked in My Freezer
YourTango: 16 Easy Ways To Immediately Look Younger Longer, As Recommended By Dermatologists
Forbes.com: Two Beloved Cuisines Marry At Curry Pizza House Las Vegas
Forbes.com: Ming Tsai’s MingsBings Has Added A Meaty Addition To Its Lineup
Food Network: You Can Buy Just About Anything Inside an Olive Garden – Including Its Cheese Graters
Southern Living: Can You Eat Brussels Sprouts Raw?
Forbes.com: Pyro Has Set Phoenix Dining Scene On Fire
Southern Living: Can You Eat Brussels Sprouts Raw?
Food Network: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Dumplings Might Be the Most Mind-Blowing Dish on Your Holiday Table
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Meat Lover
The Kitchn: Aldi’s “Beautifully Made” $16 Le Creuset Roasting Pan Dupe Has Shoppers Running To Stores
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Sushi Lover
HerMoney: The Best Free Or Low Cost Sleep Apps
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Pink Kitchen Gifts For Barbie Lovers
Brides.com: 23 Unique Bachelorette Party Destinations That Aren't Las Vegas
Martha Stewart Living: 13 Small Space Storage Ideas That Find a Place for Everything
Southern Living: Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Martha Stewart Living: How to Store Your Clothes If You Don't Have a Closet
RetailMeNot: Where to Get Free Food Today (and Every Day of the Week)
Travel & Leisure: I'm a Longtime Solo Traveler, and These Are The 12 Best Personal Safety Devices on Sale at Amazon
Travel & Leisure: Travelers Are Using This Flight Attendant-approved Gadget to Get More Space on Planes — and It Only Costs $13
Travel & Leisure: The Flight Attendant-approved Hack I Swear by for Getting Through the Airport Stress-free Is Just $10 Right Now
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by This $9 Trick for Keeping My Feet Comfortable While Sightseeing
Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They've Upgraded Their Seat — and It's Only $35
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.
RetailMeNot
For RetailMeNot, I’m updating my New Years store hours guide from last season. I’m looking to maintain the same format and the same stores, just needs to be updated for 2023. So: If you or your client was included in last year’s guide, I would so appreciate if you can drop me a quick note and confirm the open/closed/modified hours info is still the same - or if it’s not. Otherwise, I’ll be reaching out soon!
I’m ALSO updating my Stores Open Christmas Day + Christmas Eve Store Hours guide from last year. Same guidelines as above applies!
Forbes.com
For Forbes, I’m sourcing restaurants that are doing creative Thanksgiving themed dishes. Now, this is not a roast turkey and sides on the menu. But rather, taking the elements of Thanksgiving and turning it into some other sort of composed dish - for example, I was pitched a Thanksgiving pizza. If you have something like that that may work, drop me a note!
For Forbes, I’m rounding up creative Hanukkah-themed dishes and cocktails at restaurant and bars around the country. If you have any, please send details (usual format!)
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’m available for PR team virtual meetings to answer questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts.
Have a great day!