I’ve followed The Wine Economist (Mike Veseth) for years and have a lot of faith in his judgement, both about wine and writing. This piece was exceptional and I really believe applicable to bloggers of all stripes in this internet driven world. For some of us (retired from other professions) writing is pure joy and we strive to perfect our art, amuse, educate and interest a very diverse group of readers. For others writing represents a dream to good enough to focus on it professionally and while I really love to write, I hate to think that I contribute to the erosion of their ability to make a living. It may however be an in evitable reality.
The wine industry finds itself embroiled in major transitions as historic distribution channels crumble in deference to on-line options. So, it seems goes the wine writing business. Writers like Mike have taught me most of what I know about blogging and wine, but more than anything else that, whether you write for fun or profit, you must treat your writing as a business. It must be good, it must be interesting, and most of all it needs to be accurate.
This post, in my meager opinion, must be read by all writers, not just those interested in wine. You will get a dose of reality and learn a lot about being better at your craft. Thanks Mike for continuing to be my hero and mentor.
Sue and I are back from the Professional Wine Writers’ Symposium at the Meadowood Resort in the Napa Valley and it is time to reflect upon the experience. Herewith some notes and a list of five things that I think I learned about the wine writing business.
Anatomy of an Amazing Experience
The wine writers’ symposium has been going on for about a dozen years and it is an amazing experience. The idea is that you bring together a faculty of experience professional wine writers to teach, coach, mentor and help network a group of rising star wine writer participants. (This year’s “student” group was so well qualified that the student and faculty roles sometimes reversed — a good thing.)
The setting is fabulous. Classes and accommodations are at the Meadowood Resort, which is also one of the sponsors along with the Napa Valley Vintners association and the Culinary Institute of…
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Poor Robert
Poor Robert's (Wine) Almanac 
Thanks for this interesting information!
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Thanks for sharing Mike Veseth’s article, Robert. It seems to me that all artists and most craftspeople face this conundrum. Only the lucky few make millions from their art or craft. The rest of us labor from an insane inability to stop creating, or for the love of the creative spirit. I dream of a world where every individual has the economic freedom to pursue his or her art and craft and to dabble in as many as bring her or him joy.
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Kathryn — When you find that world, let me know and I’ll join you. It’s so true though, I’ve lived a good life and have enough economic security that I can follow my dreams. I worry about the young people and whether they will even be able to afford the dreams, let alone follow them.
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Yes, I wonder about their future as well. We’ve left them quite a mess, haven’t we? Then I think about all the young people, and some our age as well, trying out new economies and lifestyles. I take hope that perhaps we will become less a mass-produced plastic-material society and more a sharing economy society in which all work, be it art, craftship, or even the mundane is highly valued.
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From your moth to God’s Ears.
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Moth!
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okay so I was on my cell phone with fat fingers. LOL
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