Edited by Lori Appling in Delray Beach, FL

"Be persistent. Editors change; editorial tastes change;
markets change. Too many beginning writers give up too easily."
-- John Jakes

Today:

• Never Been Published? Not to Worry…
• Dates for Our Next Travel Writer Workshop in Paris, France: May 9-13, 2004
• A Note to All Working Writers
• Writing Under a Pen Name and Other Confessions…
• A Great Site for Story Leads, Travel News, PR Connections, and Press Trips
• This Month's Featured Travel Publication

A Note to Budding Travel Writers:

Know two more people who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's life? They, too, can receive this free e-letter weekly by visiting: http://www.awaionline.com/travel

Dear Reader,

A question I hear regularly came up again this week, so I thought to answer it here.

A student wrote to say that even though the writer's guidelines at a particular publication say the editors only work with previously published writers, she's read carefully through back issues (and the guidelines) and has an idea for an article she thinks the editors would snatch up. But, without published clips to wave about, does she dare send a query?

I talked it over with Jen Stevens in Chicago -- who sat for many years behind an editor's desk before becoming a full-time freelancer -- and here's what she said:

NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED? NOT TO WORRY…

"If you're sure your article is perfect for a publication, then you should send it -- the full article, not just a query. Don't be deterred by the need for credentials. If your article clearly fits a publication's readership, and the editor loves it, then she isn't going to bat an eye at your lack of experience.

"More specifically, here's how I'd handle it:

• Write a two- or three-sentence e-mail note introducing your article. If you have any special expertise that gives you added credibility as the author, mention that.
• Then paste your article into the body of that e-mail just under your short note. (Of course, be absolutely sure your article meets all the requirements of the writer's guidelines. And make sure you've got a strong title that clearly illustrates the benefit in your piece.)
• Make no mention of your lack of credentials. Don't refer to the fact that you're a novice writer. If the editor likes your piece, she most likely won't ask where you've been published before. If she does ask where you've been published, then of course you've got to come clean. But chances are your article will have already won her over.

"Most likely, this policy of working only with published writers is a way the editors hope to filter out untargeted, sloppy article ideas from inexperienced writers. 

"If your article is, really, right for a publication's readership… and if your lead is strong enough to catch that editor's attention in the five seconds she'll give it… then you're in the door.

"Having said all that, if you're still a bit wary about going ahead and writing the piece and pasting it into an e-mail… then hold off. Keep this publication and story idea on the back-burner. Try getting by-lines in some other places first. Once you have a few published articles under your belt, you'll feel more confident sending a query."

It is a week for answering questions…

I set Steenie Harvey to work addressing the issue of writing under a pen name. Can you do it? If you do, how do you get paid? Her answers… and a confession… below…

Plus, don't miss the note at the bottom about a website that offers freelancers useful news about the travel industry, story ideas, P.R. connections, and even press trip leads.

Have a great week,

Lori

Director, AWAI's Travel Writer Program

P.S. We've nailed down the dates for our upcoming Travel Writer Workshop in Paris, France -- May 9-13, 2004. As always, we'll have wonderful guest speakers there -- local writers with impressive credentials who share not only their secrets about what it takes to get published, but also their extraordinary insider's knowledge of their adopted hometown. You'll feel like you've fallen in with the locals.

Among the invitees are Rose Burke, a freelancer who writes for the "Wall Street Journal," "USA Today," and other prestigious newspapers and magazines; Polly Platt, author of "French or Foe?" and "Savoir Flair, 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French;" Adrian Leeds, Director of International Living's Paris office and author of a daily e-letter called "Parler Paris" as well as the ever-reliable   "Leeds Good Value Guide to Paris Restaurants;" and renowned Paris expert Thirza Vallois, author of "Around and About Paris, Volumes I, II, and III" and "Romantic Paris." More details next week…

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A CONFESSION… ADVICE ON DEALING WITH LUNATICS… AND HOW TO GET PAID IF YOU'RE USING A PEN NAME

By Steenie Harvey in Ireland

Sorry, AWAI's whip-crackers say this isn't the place to share my new-found gambling knowledge. Don't know why. After the Vegas travel writers' gig finished, I returned to Treasure Island's blackjack tables... and left $175 to the good.

One question that surfaced during our recent workshop was about pen-names. Well, I'd better ‘fess up here too:   Steenie Harvey is a figment of my imagination.

My real first name is boringly ordinary. (Not that you'll learn it here -- you'll understand why in a moment.)   But when I started freelancing 16 years ago, I was thoroughly pretentious. To me, "Steenie" seemed more likely to catch an editor's eye. I soon realized that it's your work editors' buy -- not the name you put on a cover sheet. Even so, having a pen-name suits me.

Courting Controversy… and Trouble

You see, if you write anything controversial, you're almost begging for trouble. Of course, if you can justify the claims you've made, no writer should be concerned about criticism.   Unfortunately there's normal criticism -- and abnormal criticism. Of the zillions of lunatics roaming the world, a fair few read "International Living." As you may know, I write for its print issue and website -- and I'm forwarded all the psychotic rants. (Ever come across that piece of advice saying "try to imagine your reader?" When I imagine my reader, it's always Jack Nicholson in "The Shining.")

A postcard about Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel carvings convinced one crank that I'm the "Whore of Babylon." Another snippet about the disgusting bus station toilets in Athens resulted in an abusive spiel about my pampered ways. It would have been helpful if he'd explained how women can use squat toilets without peeing over their trouser hems -- but he never did.

Set out to deliberately provoke, and things get worse. I knew writing about my bullfight lust was probably a mistake -- but the chance to get IL's more politically-correct subscribers agitated was irresistible. My "Los Toros" postcard from Madrid brought tons of feedback. Many readers loved it -- nobody dares mention bullfighting any more -- but there were just as many squeals from infuriated animal lovers. Apparently bullfighting is staged "only for the pleasure of warped minds." Warped minds, huh? I adore causing outrage!

Nom de Plume: Useful if Your
Readers Are After You

Usually, if e-mails are in any way sensible, I reply via the publication -- not my own address. Raving nutters always get ignored. My advice is: Do the same -- and never make yourself too available to readers. Before I got an unlisted number, one American woman tracked me down by phone. It was creepy to think how much digging she must have done. The original number -- in Ireland -- was actually listed under my husband's name.

What next? I had a vision of animal activist maniacs arriving on the doorstep, gleefully intent on chopping me into pieces. ("Here's Johnny!") I know it sounds paranoid, but if you're also a bull-fight enthusiast -- and intend writing about it -- using a pen-name might be wise.

How to Get Paid if You Use a Pen Name

Regarding pen-name practicalities, changing your name legally isn't necessary. Your byline -- the name an article appears under -- can be whatever you choose.

The bad news is that setting up a bank account in a nom de plume is now quite difficult in most countries. (Things were far easier in Ireland in 1988.) What you should do is inform the editor that although checks must be made payable to your real name, you wish articles to appear under a pen-name. Some contracts even make provision for this.

WHERE TO FIND STORY LEADS, TRAVEL NEWS,
PR CONNECTIONS, AND PRESS TRIPS

Media Kitty is a useful (and friendly) service for working travel writers like you -- a place to pick up story ideas, read industry news, make contacts that can help as you flesh out an article, and get leads on organizations offering press trips. P.R. professionals pay to join -- it's a place for them to advertise their wares to a targeted media audience. But for you, there's no charge. You need only register. Check it out at: http://www.mediakitty.com/default.aspx

THIS MONTH'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION

"Trips and Journeys," an online publication, accepts queries for travel pieces highlighting destinations in the U.S. and Canada.   They like entertaining, upbeat, descriptive narratives. Send queries to queries@tripsandjourneys.com. Or find out more about their guidelines at http://www.tripsandjourneys.com/writer%27s.html .