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“There
is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a
vein.”
-- Red Smith
ONLINE
COURSES:
SEE THE
WORLD, SELL THE STORY
Travel
writing sets us in motion, whether we are writers or readers. The best
examples of this genre paint a word portrait that distinguishes the
destination from any other. It might be your neighborhood or a refugee
camp in Congo. First do the groundwork, then unpack your imagination.
In this
course, we will cover the full spectrum of travel writing—articles,
guidebooks, memoirs, and essays—and how and where to market your work.
Lisa Mullenneaux, travel writer and publisher of Penington Press,
presents lectures, exercises, and critiques in a clear, accessible
manner. Students can expect to
•
Write pitch letters to magazines or a book proposal
• Complete one article or book chapter
• Practice writing exercises
• Research markets for an article or book
• Get a list of print and online reference tools
This
course is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the
fundamentals. Six assignments. Cost $295.
PUBLISH
IT YOURSELF
•
Self-publishing offers many advantages over traditional publishing.
• You control the entire process
• You can have a finished product within weeks instead of years
• You are the best possible marketing agent for your book
• Print-on-demand technology and the internet reduce costs
• A book can boost your career
• Your book is in print for as long as you want it to be.
This
course will help you turn a great book idea into a money-making
business. Lisa Mullenneaux, publisher of Penington Press, will guide you
through the steps of design, production, marketing, and distribution.
Five assignments. Cost: $245.
ONLINE
RESOURCES
Author-Network,
www.author-network.com/travel.html. Provides a
myriad of links to travel writing sites and online travel magazines.
Mediabistro.com. An invaluable source for writer, editors, and
media professionals for jobs, news, classes, and career
information. AvantGuild membership offers more benefits for a fee.
Travel Info Exchange,
www.infoexchange.com.
Tom Brosnahan's site has practical information for publishing and
opportunities to network with other writers.
Travelwriters.com.
This one-stop shop for travel writers offers a bulletin board, press
trips announcements, information on new markets, media requests, and
press releases.
WriteNet,
www.writenet.org/index.html. A resource
for those who teach writing.
The Writer’s Life,
www.thewriterslife.homestead.com/home.html.
Tips on how to sell.
The Written Road,
www.writtenroad.com. An interactive site for
travel writers.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Society of Journalists and Authors,
www.asja.org. A professional organization for
freelance writers. Sponsors an annual conference in NYC.
American Society of Media Photographers,
www.asmp.org.
A professional organization for photographers in publication.
Author’s Guild,
www.authorsguild.org.
Since 1912, a society of published authors that advocates for fair
compensation, free speech and copyright protection.
British Guild of Travel Writers,
www.bgtw.org. Membership
includes writers, editors, photographers, producers, and radio and TV
presenters.
Canadian Authors Association,
www.canauthors.org. The national Canadian
writers association founded in 1921.
International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association,
www.ifwtwa.org. Open to writers and
photojournalists who publish at least 10 articles a year. Publishes the
e-zine www.global-writes.com.
National Writers Union,
http://nwu.org. The union that represents and
advocates for magazine and book authors. (See
www.freelancerights.com).
North American Travel Journalists Association,
www.natja.org. A professional group of
writers, editors, and photographers that sponsors an annual conference
and awards.
Outdoor Writers Association of America,
www.owaa.org. An organization of outdoor
writers and photographers with an annual conference, awards, and
scholarships.
Society of American Travel Writers,
www.satw.org. Open to established writers and
photojournalists. Association membership is open to those in public
relations.
Travel Journalists Guild,
www.tjgonline.com. Membership is open to
established freelance travel journalists.
Travel Industry Association,
www.tia.org/researchpubs/index.html. TIA
reports and publications on the state of the travel and tourism
industry.
PERIODICALS AND NEWSLETTERS
Publishers Weekly, Reed Business Information,
www.publishersweekly.com. A trade magazine for
the publishing industry.
Travel Publications Update, Travel Marketing
Sources, 3 Monroe Parkway, Suite P, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, 503-534-9960.
Email:
travelmarket@comcast.net. A listing of
magazine and newspaper markets for freelancers with guidelines for
submissions. Pat Snider has been
editing TPU for 13 years, the
same product sold by
travelwriters.com for more money. $32 for email
attachment; $34 on CR-ROM.
Travelwriter Marketletter,
www.travelwriterml.com. A monthly paid
subscription newsletter ($65/yr) that gives up-to-date information on
selected markets. Includes press trips.
PRIZES AND AWARDS
Thomas Cook Travel Book Award,
www.thomascookpublishing.com/travelbookawards.htm.
An annual prize for the best literary travel writing.
Solas Awards,
www.besttravelwriting.com. Travelers’ Tales
awards prizes for the best travel stories of the year.
READING
Anika
Scott has penned a funny and forthright how-to-break-into-the-business
article for beginning travel writers at
http://www.eurotrip.com/preparation_and_packing/travel_writing.html
Don George’s The Lonely
Planet Guide to Travel Writing, 2005.
Louise Purwin Zobel’s
The Travel Writer's Handbook, Surrey, 4th edition, 1997.
Louisa
Peat O'Neil’s
Travel Writing,
Writer’s Digest Books, 2nd edition, 2006.
REFERENCES
Editor and Publisher International Year Book,
www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/resources/yearbook.jsp.
An annual directory of newspapers and syndicates.
Gale
Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media, Thomson Gale. An annual directory of
publications and media groups.
Hudson’s Directories,
www.hudsonsdirectory.com. Covers newsletters,
magazines, foreign media, Washington DC media, and other categories.
International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses,
Dustbooks,
www.dustbooks.com/d.htm. Includes small book
publishers and limited circulation magazines.
Literary Market Place, Information Today, Inc.,
www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp.
Reference guide to the American and Canadian book publishing industries,
including publishers, agents, editorial services, book manufacturers,
awards, and associations. Also publishes an international directory.
Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory, R.R. Bowker LLC,
www.bowker.com/catalog/000055.htm. An annual
listing of magazines and other periodicals. Also publishes an
international edition.
Writer’s Handbook, Kalmbach Publishing Co. An annual guide to magazine
markets for freelance writers. Also, publishes The Writer
magazine.
Writer’s Market, F+W Publications, Inc.,
. An annual directory of
magazine and book publishers based on editors’ input. Also publishes the
monthly magazine Writers Digest,
www.writersdigest.com.
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