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Featured Publication: Hidden Europe
Website: http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk
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Dear Reader,
This week, Roberta Beach Jacobson profiles a unique travel publication that is definitely not interested in stories from the tourist trial.
Hidden europe is an insightful publication that has a thirst for "ordinary" Europe, but allows the reader to uncover an extraordinary one within its pages.
The editors at this publication ask that you submit a lead when you query them about an article. They suggest about 300 words. Now, clearly they mean business. And you should, too. You'll have about five seconds to capture their attention.
So what can you do in five seconds?
Well, first of all don't waste time with "warm up" words. Get right into the action. "Show" your reader what your story is about. He must see, immediately, "what's in it for him". Hand him the benefit of your story right up front. And that's just for starters.
Jennifer Stevens takes an in-depth look at the "five-second rule" in Lesson #15 of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program (http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/fp/letushelp). Refer to your copy before you sit down to write, and you'll be sure to get off on the right foot.
Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Division
P.S. Readers who purchased the recording package from our Colorado event (http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/trc/letushelp) can also review Jen's presentation on How to Hook Your Reader: Intriguing Titles & Captivating Leads.
If you love traveling around Europe and telling the world about your adventures, hidden europe (all in lower case) might be a magazine for you. The print monthly was launched in March of 2005 by Gardner & Kries GbR, with Nicky Gardner (a geographer) and Susanne Kries (an expert on language and identity) as co-editors
These two women (located in Berlin) are looking for good writing that evokes the spirit of Europe, conjures up a sense of place, and probes the curiosities of the continent's cultures. Forget the usual tourist traps. They want to see more than just your words, so consider photos, maps, and illustrations when you're thinking up ideas.
I know this lively publication from being a subscriber to their free e-letter. You can sign up to receive it at http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk and you'll find full writer's guidelines on the website, too.
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Tips: The editors say if you don't know their publication, it's unlikely you'll hit the target for their audience without reviewing some back issues of the magazine first. They don't mind if you wish to submit an unpublished travel piece collecting dust on your desk, but they warn something written for another magazine won't necessarily be right for them.
Not all the magazine's sections appear every month, but a few are titled hidden histories, books, and routes. You can find the entire listing in their guidelines. You approach them by e-mail (editors@hiddeneurope.co.uk), but the query package has some additional requirements.
To get an idea of your style (or style range), they want to review two or three of your completed articles -- no matter if published or unpublished. And then, for the article you're querying, the editors want to see your proposed lead of about 300 words, followed by a summary of the article and the estimated word count. (They don't specify a word count requirement, but most features are on the lengthy side.)
For a first article, the pay is about 200 euro ($250 approximately). That got your attention, right? There's more good news, too. They don't require contributors to be established travel writers. So, if you're new to travel writing and you have a gem of a story about some hidden corner of Europe... or a new angle on a well-visited European destination... this is an opportunity worth pursuing.
By Roberta Beach Jacobson, Travel Writer
For The Write Way to Travel
Ed Note: We'll be traveling to Greece in the early fall. Why not consider joining our photography expedition? You'll not only learn how to take photos that sell, but you'll also discover a hidden Europe in the legendary islands, nestled in the blue waters of The Aegean Sea. Find all the details here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/greece2006/fr
Travel, Writing & Photography Resources...
*** To learn more about how to target your audience correctly every time, learn the secrets firsthand from the architect of the Ultimate Travel Writer's Program, refer to lesson #5. Click here to get your copy today: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/fp/letushelp
*** How to Hook Your Reader: Intriguing Titles & Captivating Leads: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/trc/letushelp
*** Photos can be a remarkably strong sales tool when you're approaching an editor with a story: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/ph2/website
*** The Simple Secret to Giving Editors What They Want: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/archive/issues/issue_085.php
*** How (and When) to Follow-Up with an Editor: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/archive/issues/issue_047.php
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International Living's Live Overseas Conference Montreal, Canada September 6-9, 2006
Six Short Months from Now You could be Living Your Dream Life Overseas...
International Living's Live Overseas Conference is a "must attend" for anyone thinking about living or buying real estate overseas. This fall they'll talk about Latin America, Europe, Asia, even New Zealand...all those hot destinations they've been talking about for the past many years.
Go with your "dream life" in mind, and let their speakers show you where in the world you can make it a reality. You'll come away with a proven checklist to help you prioritize what it is you're really looking for. Beachside retreat...mountain hideaway...big-city apartment...quiet farmhouse...they'll help you define your wants and needs, and tell you the countries where you'll find the best quality and values. Their in-country office staff and other top experts from around the world will all be there as they convene for this insider's tour of destinations where you can make your "international living" dreams come true.
They'll be holding this event for the first time across the border in Montréal, Canada. Montréal is the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, behind Paris and early fall is the perfect time to be there.
For more information on the program, and to reserve your place, visit:
http://www.il-ireland.com/il/promos/los_montreal/awai_mail.html
The Write Way to Travel is a FREE weekly newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Institute, available to AWAI students and friends.
© 2006 American Writers & Artists Institute
