Today we’d like to introduce you to Lia Picard
Hi Lia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve loved writing since I was a kid (I still have the “books” I wrote as third grader!), but I never considered doing it professionally until my 30s. When I moved to Atlanta in 2013, however, I started a food blog as a fun hobby outside of my admin job and I was reminded how much I loved writing — especially about food. I began writing for a local website and eventually sharpened my pitching skills and kept pushing for bigger outlets. I became a full time freelance journalist in 2017 and haven’t looked back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just look at the state of the media industry if you want an idea of how “smooth” the road has been — publications close, editors get laid off, budgets constrict, you have the occasional down period of self-doubt, I could go on and on. That said, staying creative with my ideas and connected to my network has helped me navigate the ever-evolving industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a lifestyle journalist specializing in food, culture, travel, and interior design. My work has appeared in the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, the Wall Street Journal, Atlanta magazine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Food & Wine, and many more publications. I’m known for quirky-yet-resonant stories (like the popularity of squirrel picnic tables during the pandemic) and I love to profile chefs, farmers, artists, and makers shaping their industries. I also cover emerging food and lifestyle trends. I occasionally write travel stories (I love an under-the-radar destination), but Atlanta is my first love and I take a lot of pride in putting it in the national spotlight when I get the chance.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
One of my favorite parts of the job is interviewing people for stories. I chat with chefs, bartenders, artists, the occasional celeb, and people who are simply doing great work in their communities. I used to get nervous before a phone interview, but now I look forward to them because I never know what direction it’s going to go in. I really love an in-person interview, especially when I have the chance to hangout with someone at their job (like, a doughnut maker in the middle of the night or a serviceberry forager).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://liapicard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloitsliapicard/
