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Website: http://www.autoclubgroup.com/michigan/travel/aaaliving/?zip=48854
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WHERE TO PUBLISH MIDWESTERN EXCURSIONS... AND TRIPS BEYOND, TOO
By Wendy VanHatten
The AAA Living Magazine reaches 2.5 million households across the Midwest bi-monthly. The editors look for travel stories about the Midwest primarily but also accept articles on national and international destinations.
Most of their articles are written by freelance writers, which is good news for you. However, they do ask that you submit a few published writing samples along with any query you send. (So this opportunity may not be for everybody, but if you have even one clip in your file, this publication is worth your attention.)
AAA Living Magazine has several standard features and departments where an article from you might be a good fit: Destinations covers global travel opportunities, Spotlights covers regional travel, and Weekend Excursions covers regional weekend getaways. Read through some back issues to get a feel for the types of articles that fit within each.
Articles run from 500 to 1,200 words.
When I submitted an article about 3 Festivals in the Midwest, I wrote for the Weekend Excursion feature story section. I listed places to stay, festival times and costs, cafes and restaurants, and distances from a couple of different cities as well as information about the festivals.
As someone who's written for this publication, the best advice I can give you, is: Seek out...
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A Sweetheart Deal for Travel Writers
How would you like to spend two months exploring the wilds of Australia... all at no charge?
You could enjoy a half-day fishing on the sun-drenched Great Barrier Reef... or a lazy weekend in the balmy breezes of Brampton Island, where tall palms list over the azure waters on twelve golden, sandy beaches...
Sound extravagant?
Well, that's exactly how Brian Norris spent a couple of months this past year -- and those are just the highlights. Brian clocked over 2000 miles all told -- and enjoyed amazing meals, fabulous hotels, tremendous pampering, and all the best activities on offer.
It was entirely free. And then he was paid thousands of dollars to tell others about it in a full-color special travel section in his local newspaper.
Perhaps you're thinking, "I could never land a sweetheart deal like that." But that's just not so. You most certainly can -- faster and with a lot less footwork than you probably imagine.
To find out how, click here.==============================
insider information. By this, I mean go the extra mile to find out information only a local would know. Give that special piece of advice about a destination that no one could find by reading tourist brochures! Be specific. If you cover tourist attractions, be sure to include opening hours, days of operation, admission costs, street address, and directions. Make sure your reader has everything he needs to pick up his car keys and hit the road.
Also, I recommend that you read The Seven Habits of a Truly Observant Traveler, which you'll find in Lesson #10 of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program. In that lesson, you'll also find a bonus check-list of seven questions an observant traveler always asks.
Always query AAA Living Magazine first by mail or email, no phone calls. Again, follow the guidelines and send in some of your writing samples. You'll find the full guidelines here: http://www.autoclubgroup.com/assets/common/files/WriterGuidelines_web.pdf
You can email your query and clips to: information@AAALiving.com or send them by post to Editor, AAA Living, The Auto Club Group, 1 Auto Club Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126. This magazine usually purchases first North American serial rights and web rights for 13 months.
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Travel, Writing & Photography Resources
*** Want to get published here... but not sure what to do next? Click here for your free, step-by-step guide.
*** "Do you suffer from "Travel Speak?" Here's the cure...
*** The Curse of the Detail Trap: A Simple Way to Identify What to Keep and What to Cut.
*** Photos can be a remarkably strong sales tool when you're approaching an editor with a story.
*** Travel Writer Program member, refer to Big Bucks for Snap Shots, which came with your program materials. Review the tips and techniques to taking publishable photos, as this is a great way to increase your income on every story you sell.
If you don't already have a copy of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program, click here to get yours (along with your free copy of Big Bucks for Snap Shots) today
*** How to Get in the Door and into Print: The Best Way to Approach an Editor.
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