Wednesday: Newly published content + I share my thoughts on the latest fiery trend.

Also: What you get in a free vs. paid newsletter -- and what should NEVER be paid.

Good morning!

And…it’s still Prime Day!

(Which feels oddly like Groundhog Day at this point, but anyway, hope you got some good shopping in yesterday!)

I have some content to share, and then I have a topic getting some discussion in our circles that I’d like to chat about…

For Southern Living, I’ve shared my recipe for the The One-Pan Cheesy Meal I Make Whenever I'm Too Tired To Cook — ya know how everyone has that go-to weeknight meal for when they are feeling too tired or lazy to cook, but takeout is not in their budget and they need to cook? This is mine and it’s delicious - especially if you love all things cheesy and spicy! For Apartment Therapy, I’m still in Prime Day mode, and my latest is: 9 Brilliant Items Pro Travelers Always Buy on Prime Day (Starting at $8!) (I quote some of my good friends in there!). For tons more Prime-related content, check out my author page on Yahoo or on Travel & Leisure - I’ve done a bunch of deals-related content this past weekend for both!

In related news, I was interviewed by Marketwatch yesterday morning on the latest example of the never-ending fast food spicy food trend - the spicy breakfast sandwich. I shared my thoughts, if you are interested, but the part that tickled me pink is when I was quoted as a “veteran food writer!” Love to hear it!

OK, here’s something I wanted to chat about today.

A few friends who happen to also be publicists - who subscribe to this newsletter but also subscribe to other media newsletters - have been chatting this week about something that they came across that made them — and me — very uncomfortable.

There’s some journalists on Substack that have decided to put their calls for sources/pitches for pending stories — and even WHO THEY ARE WRITING FOR - behind paywalls, thereby charging publicists for access to pitching their stories and being included in their stories.

Let me be super clear here: That’s incredibly unethical and inappropriate. Any legitimate journalist you are following on Substack will not do that. Yes, I have a paid version of this Substack — but the sourcing requests are NEVER part of the paid content, and will always be 100% free. Also free is, of course, links to my published stories, job leads, links to tools of the trade and special promo deals, daily commentary, and so much more.

What IS paid? OTHER BENEFITS. Access to town hall discussions, Zoom webinars, recordings of workshops with special featured guest panels, Q&As, AMA sessions, in-depth discussion of various industry insights, special discounted rates for ad placement and personal consulting sessions.

I try to give a ton of value each day to public-facing newsletter and give additional other benefits to the paid one - but under no circumstances here will you ever, not once, ever, pay to have access to pitching me or knowing what I’m working on.

And, honestly, if someone IS doing that to you? Don’t allow them. It makes us all look bad and it’s completely not what all this is about.

Limited-time deal on ad placement!

I’m offering a seasonal special on advertising in this newsletter. I’d love to place your sponsored posts and advertising in this Substack, which goes out to nearly 10,000 media professionals every single day.

Note: I do limit advertising to only what would be of interest to my readers, but am open to both short paragraph blurbs and dedicated posts - if you are interested in chatting details and scheduling something, please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com today!

Tools of the trade

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!)

Press Hook is where journalists, newsletter writers, and podcasters source expert quotes, hi-res images, product samples, affiliate info, and brand story angles — all from vetted brands in one searchable hub. It connects journalists and brands in what feels like a really user-friendly, organic way and I use it often to browse for sources and products aligned with my current projects and I’ve often found precisely what I need, when I need. Give it a try!

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.

• Southern Living: The One-Pan Cheesy Meal I Make Whenever I'm Too Tired To Cook

• Forbes.com: Elevate Your Order Of Fries Just In Time For National French Fry Day

• Forbes.com: 12 Delicious Ways To Indulge On National Fried Chicken Day

• Forbes.com: 13 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Caviar

• Yahoo.com: Do you want fries with that? Here's 12 spots to score free fries on National French Fry Day. (This story is still being updated if you have any more free fry deals I should add!)

• Travel & Leisure: 15 Best Amazon Safety Gear Sales for July 4th

• Travel & Leisure: Amazon Prime Day Kicked Off Early With These 72 Incredible Travel Essentials Deals—Up to 70% Off

• Yahoo.com: NYC is experiencing its most extreme heat wave in decades. Here are 10 products helping me stay cool.

• HerMoney: The Best Timing for Hotel Bookings: How To Save On Your Stay

• Apartment Therapy: 10 Things I Got Rid Of After 45

• Apartment Therapy: Summer Packing Tips from People Who Travel for a Living

• Clean Plates: 11 Best Seafood Picks at Trader Joe's, According to RDs

• Travel & Leisure: 6 Best Business Travel Airplane Outfits, From $12

• YourTango: Frequent Travelers Are More Likely To Succeed At Work Because They Share These 7 Traits, Experts Say

• YourTango: 14 Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades That Instantly Transform Your Space, According To Experts

• Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and This Seat Cushion Is My Secret to Arriving at Destinations Pain-free

• Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by These Packable Ballet Flats for Comfort, Support, and Long Days on My Feet

• Travel & Leisure: I Found the Perfect Walking Shoes to Prevent Sore Feet During Travel — Score Styles on Sale Up to 62% Off

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.

Yahoo

You may have noticed over the days leading up to Amazon Prime Day, I’ve been doing a ton of new content on Yahoo across the lifestyles umbrella. Currently working on a story on how to choose a budget-friendly sofa/loveseat for a small space (i.e. a tiny apartment, studio apartment, dorm, etc), as well as suggestions about ones that will do fit the role (good sofa at a good price but also handles the takeaway/delivery, for those of us who live in walk-up situations where there’s just no other way). Pitch me any thoughts as far as products that may be a fit but also expert input on the process!

Also, because we’re in the cycle of never-ending infernal heat waves, I’m doing a roundup of the best deals online on compact air conditioners for small spaces (ideally those that people can have delivered and installed).

I’m working on a roundup of must-have toiletries, beauty, hair, skin, and otherwise to keep as staples in your carryon when you travel. This, too, will have a first person element and there’s some of my faves I travel with non-stop that I’m absolutely including.

Forbes

I’m accepting pitches for fun and unique presentations of CHICKEN WINGS in honor National Chicken Wing Day and BURGERS in honor of National Hamburger Day at restaurants/bars nationwide. To pitch me for any of these, please make sure your pitch includes ALL of the following in this specific below format.

• Name of dish

• Where found (so: restaurant name, city, state, URL)

• Description of dish

• Quote about what makes this presentation special (plus name and title of person being quoted)

• Image of dish and appropriate photo credits

  ** I’m also still accepting pitches for National Mac and Cheese Day (creative mac and cheese dishes) - but that one will wrap up in the next few days! Same parameters as above!

<3

aly