Edited by Lori Appling in Montgomery, AL

" Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love." - David McCullough

Today:

• Behaving Badly: How to Ensure You Don't Get Published
• You Could be Just ONE DEAL Away from a Luxury Retirement!
• Five Ways "Professional" Behavior Can Earn You More Bylines... And Perks by Jennifer Stevens
• The Truth about Online Photo Stock Agencies: What They Pay and How to Break in
• This Week's Featured Travel Publication: The Southern Traveler
• More Opportunities and Resources for Writers

*Highly Recommended*

REVEALED... for One Day Only! Travel secrets designed to fund your vacations and make you $100,000 or more a year as you explore the world like a VIP!

After several friendly battles about "who had enjoyed the best and most vacations," five savvy travelers finally agreed to meet -- for the first time ever -- on December 13, 2005... to discuss the three tools they use to consistently fund and profit from their vacations.

In the past, people have paid $1,597 to hear these travelers speak, and learn their secrets for mastering just one of these travel tools.

But, today, you're invited to discover their secrets for mastering all three of these tools... for less than $20. You'll learn: How to make a six-figure income as a traveler, living anywhere you want in the world... How to get pampered in paradise, then profit from it...

How to make $12,600 on a four-day trip... Why your hometown is a $700/day goldmine if you know these secrets... and more...

Dear Reader,

There is no one, right way to sell your travel articles and photographs. In past issues we've outlined many surefire techniques. (And our readers write in all the time to tell us how well they work -- you'll find lots of their success stories in our eletter archives at www.thetravelwriterslife.com.)

But just as there are many ways you can successfully get a foot in the door as a travel writer or photographer... so, too, are there many ways to ensure that door slams shut.

I'm reminded of this fact this week, because a couple of our recent Bahamas workshop attendees have acted unprofessionally. They (and you) should know better.  

In their enthusiasm to get a contract to update a guidebook, these two budding travel writers managed to annoy the president of the publishing house, misrepresent themselves, make themselves look like the unproven amateurs they are, and eliminate any chance they'll get that contract.

Bad Move # 1 -- They were "pushy," (which is how the publisher characterized them... not me). These two don't have travel writing experience. They don't have a record of success. Yet they called the publisher, emailed the publisher, went back-and-forth with the publisher, and generally annoyed the publisher as they tried to figure out away to get him to commit to hiring them to update this book. It was presumptuous.

They should have followed the guidelines laid out on the publisher's website about how to submit a proposal.

Bad Move # 2 -- They overstated their qualifications. The two implied in a message meant for a P.R. official (but sent, by mistake to the book publisher) that they would not only be on-site to research the destination for the guidebook, but that from that research they'd also be writing articles that would appear in their local papers -- the Denver Post and the New York Times. Goodness.

You have to pay your dues. You aren't going to earn a contract to write a guidebook if you don't even have one 50-word article to pass around. So go out and get one. Or, better, get three or four. Start small, with smaller publications. Build for yourself a track record. It's that credibility that will get you a thoughtful audience with a book publisher or with an editor at a larger publication.

Bad Move # 3 -- They paid no attention to detail. The two misspelled their contact's name. They misspelled other words in their letter. They wrote in language that was muddled and hard to follow.

Come on. You all know better than that. Take the time to spell-check your stuff. Take the time to read through what you've written to make sure it really makes sense. If you're asking the person to whom you're writing to take action... then make sure that action you're looking for is clear.

There... I will now step down off my soap box (... so Jen Stevens can stand on it, down below). But before I give her the stage, I want to share some good news. Here's a student of ours who got attention the right way...

Kerry Stowell, an attendee at our last photography workshop in Washington D.C., wrote this week to say that her photos made the NBC news. 

She writes, "Two weeks ago there was a small sentence at the bottom of the NBC.com website that invited readers to submit a fall photo. They would upload it (they requested a 640 by 480 size) to their website and if it was a really good photo...they would put it on the NBC news for a moment...with full credit.

"It just so happened that I had taken about 4 new fall shots...soooo...up I went. That afternoon, I was at the computer about 4pm and the TV on the wall was starting the NBC weather .....when all of a sudden...I heard ..."and look at this...a wonderful photo by Kerry Stowell"...and I looked up and saw my photo....and nearly fainted.  I then sent up 2 more...and they were accepted also. There was no financial compensation; however the credits were very large."

Kerry also added that since the DC workshop she's sold several photos for anywhere between $25 to recently $100 and some for no money but rather publishing credit.  We asked her how she did it, and you'll find her advice in next week's issue.

Today, however, I've asked my colleague, Jennifer Stevens, long a travel editor, to share some advice about the best ways to ensure your name lands on an editor's "favorite freelancers" list.

As always, remember to keep me up-to-speed on your success.  If you have good news to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com. 

I hope you have a great weekend,

-- Lori

Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Division

P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter weekly at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter

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FIVE WAYS "PROFESSIONAL" BEHAVIOR CAN EARN YOU MORE BYLINES... AND PERKS By Freelance Travel Writer, Jennifer Stevens in Colorado Springs, CO

Over the years I have worked with hundreds of writers. An absolutely shocking number, it turns out, seem to know little about what they can do to make an editor's life easier.

It's too bad. Often it's the little things that make working with one writer a pleasure and another writer an inconvenience.

I've received articles late... and then gotten impatient notes from those writers when their pieces didn't appear in print when first scheduled.

I've received articles in two parts -- first, the main piece. And then, without comment a week later, I'll find sidebars in my in-box. No idea they were on their way. And they aren't attached to the article, so now I have to find it and go paste them in.

I've gotten emails from writers I haven't heard from in six months or a year -- signed, simply, "Jim." "Jim Who?" I ask you, when the email address is slimjim@smile.com.

And I'm not alone in my frustration at behavior like this. When Randy Curwin, Travel Editor at the Chicago Tribune, spoke at our travel writer workshop a year ago, he toted along a whole list of pet peeves compiled by travel editors at papers across North America.

It includes such gems as...

Freelancers who have never read the section, freelancers who have never read the section but who are ready with suggested improvements, and freelancers who read the section and make snarky comments about the stories that aren't theirs. -- from Paul Waters, Montreal Gazette

Freelancers who don't take rejection letters well -- who send me huffy, indignant emails berating me, my taste in stories and the overall quality of my travel section -- and then -- I can't believe this -- send me more manuscripts. -- From John Flinn, San Francisco Examiner

Freelancers who mail submissions to your predecessor of five years ago (that is, who are too lazy to check to see who the current travel editor is). -- from Howard Pousner, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The list goes on for five pages in nine-point type.

Why "Good" Behavior Pays Off

You know, it really is in your best interest to behave "professionally" as a professional freelance writer. I don't say that just because it's the right thing to do. I say it because it will increase (exponentially, perhaps) your chances of getting published.

What's more, editors are often the keepers of some very nice perks. And they hand them out to the writers they like. I know back when I was editing International Living, I'd regularly get calls from P.R. agencies asking if I'd like to send a staffer on an all-expenses-paid trip someplace.

But we had a small staff, and often I couldn't spare a body for a week. And so rather than let a good trip go to waste, I'd call a freelancer.

And did I call that writer who never got me her stuff on time... or the one who badgered me by phone every 29 hours ... or the pushy one who wouldn't take "no" for an answer? No, I did not.

I called somebody I knew to be reliable, professional, and a joy to work with... somebody I could be sure would not embarrass me while on the road on our behalf. She'd get a free trip out of the deal. And then I'd pay her for a story. Not a bad if you're the well-behaved freelancer, eh?

In fact, one of our own students, Hayley Clarke, wrote in to say that's exactly what just happened to her. "I have just returned from an 8-day, all-expenses-paid, 5-star trip to Malaysia taking in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, courtesy of Tourism Malaysia," she told us. "I went on behalf of that same magazine that published my first article. Seemingly they were so impressed with my style and professionalism that when this trip came up, my name simply popped into the Senior Editor's head! I am now in the middle of writing my 4th article for them."

Five Things You Can Do to Stay in an Editor's Good Graces

Certainly, your success as a freelancer will hinge in large part on the quality of your writing... and on the precision with which you target your story for a particular audience.

But just as important, when it comes right down to it, is how easy you are to work with. The truth is: Even if you're a wonderful writer... if you're a real pain in the neck, an editor just isn't going to waste his time with you.

So, here are five things you can do to ensure you land firmly on an editor's good side... and stay there.

• Be humble. You are far from the only fish in the freelance sea. Approach an editor with modesty. Don't overstate your qualifications. And don't insult his travel section.
• Be brief. Editors are overworked. All of them. They don't have administrative assistants. Instead, they have piles of manuscripts sliding off their desks. In all your correspondence, be concise. Editors have neither the time nor the inclination to read a tome from you that's masquerading as a query letter. In all your correspondence, get to your point quickly and then stop.
• Follow instructions. Do your homework before you contact an editor. Read the publication's guidelines. Read the publication. If the guidelines say you can expect at least six weeks between the time you send in your article and the time you hear back from the editor, then wait at least that long before you get in touch. If you note, as you read back issues, that the articles are never written in first person, then don't submit a first-person account.
• Attend to detail. Sloppiness will kill your career. Double-check the spelling of the editor's name before you send him anything. In fact, check the spelling of every word in everything you send. Study the format your editor prefers. If all the articles in a paper's travel section end with a box titled "Travel Tips," then you should provide a box like that, too. If every article appears with a one-sentence bio about the author, then provide a bio. This attention to detail will not go unnoticed.
• Be appreciative. Editors -- like all of us -- warm to an occasional thank you. So when your article is published and you receive a copy, consider sending a (quick and concise) email that says something like, "I just received my author copy of this month's issue. It looks wonderful. Thanks so much for your efforts in getting my piece into print. It was a genuine pleasure working with you."

[Editor's Note: Jennifer Stevens has spent the balance of the last decade gallivanting through Latin America and the Caribbean -- to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Mexico and beyond writing about the best locales for overseas travel, retirement, and investment. She is the former editor of International Living and is author of AWAI's Ultimate Travel Writer's Course: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/website

* Highly Recommended *

The Ultimate Holiday Photo Guide: 83 Quick Tips for Taking the Best Holiday Photographs Ever

Even an untrained photographer -- an amateur, who's only taken snapshots at birthday parties -- can learn how to take amazing pictures this holiday season. 

In just 23 short minutes you can learn to snap expert-quality family portraits and transform standard-issue Thanksgiving dinner shots into pictures you'll pass down from generation to generation.

You'll also learn the best techniques for photographing kids in the snow, opening presents, giving Grandma a kiss... and you'll walk away with amazing photographs of holiday lights, fireworks and more...

Here's how some readers are doing it: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/holiday

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION

The Southern Traveler, published by the AAA Auto Club of Missouri, is 80% freelance written. Most stories are assigned early; the editorial schedule is set 6-9 months in advance. Freelance stories are generally about travel destinations and tips. "Make the story bright and quick to read. We see too many 'Here's what I did on my vacation' manuscripts." The best time to query is January-March, right after the new editorial schedule has been set for the following year. Send queries to THE SOUTHERN TRAVELER, Attn: Managing Editor, 12901 N. Forty Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141. Writer's guidelines and the editorial schedule are available online at http://www.aaatravelermags.com.

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

The WRITE WAY TO TRAVEL is a free email newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc.  For more in-depth information on exactly how you can travel the world and sell your stories and pictures for profit visit:

The TRAVEL WRITER'S LIFE: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com (to get started right away click here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/website)

The PHOTOGRAPHER'S LIFE: http://www.thephotographerslife.com (to get started right away click here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/ph2/website)

TAX SAVINGS EVERY FREELANCER SHOULD TAKE -- Find out where you can save... what the IRS really needs to know... how to make the most of those deductions for travel, meals, entertainment, home office, and more including practical worksheets you can use to make sure you're paying as little as possible to Uncle Sam.  You'll find The Writer's Tax Guide: A Money-Saving Manual for Travel Writers and Other Freelancers here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tax/website

CAN YOU WRITE A SIMPLE LETTER? If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be.  Here's how you can learn the secrets of this little-known, lucrative business:http://www.thewriterslife.com/ph/tw89

THE AWAI FORUM FOR TRAVEL WRITERS -- You'll find this excellent online resource at: www.thetravelwriterslife.com/forums. It's a place to get answers to your questions, discuss your story ideas, find readers to review your articles, and stay connected to a community of writers.

RETIRE...AND GET PAID TO TRAVEL -- Get the Details and Your Free report at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/website

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF WRITING -- Learn how to find the best story ideas and places to publish them...how and when to follow up with an editor...what you need to know about buying rights, contracts, and agreements...how to use syndication to increase your exposure and boost your earnings...and more.  You'll find The Business of Writing Guide: A Practical Guide for Travel Writers (and Other Freelancers) Ready to Turn Words into Profits here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/biz/website

The Write Way to Travel is a FREE weekly newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Institute, available to AWAI students and friends.

© 2004 American Writers & Artists Institute

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