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The Right Way to Travel
Edited by Lori Allen in Arlington, VA
August 3, 2007
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." -- George S. Patton
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Today:
*** If You Missed the Advice on Alumni Pubs and In-Flight Magazines, Here It Is Again...
*** Everything You Need to Know About the Business of Writing
*** Practical Writing Prompt of the Week: The Savvy Traveler
*** Reader Feedback: An Article, a Press Trip and More Discounts
*** More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
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Visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/itj/website to find out more.
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Dear Reader,
If you missed last week's dispatches from our Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop, you'll find them here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2007/
I read the evaluation forms the attendees handed in after the event and several voted Lindsay Roylance our most valuable guest speaker. I haven't listened to the recordings yet (they won't be ready for another few weeks) but I have to say... I'm not surprised.
After reading the report from freelance travel writer, Jennifer Stevens (Dispatch #1 at the above link), I knew Lindsay was a big hit.
Alumni magazines are a great niche to write for. They pay well (some pay $1 per word, which amounts to a couple hundred dollars for a few short paragraphs) and there's little competition. What's more, most people already have an "in." You can easily approach the publication at the school from which you graduated. Or, if you have a profile to offer of an interesting person you've met -- find out where he or she went to school and pitch your story to the alumni magazine there.
In-flight magazines were another hot topic at the workshop. Almost everyone picked up the three in-flights that were profiled at the Publication Expo last Saturday. (If you missed out on this event, you can download a copy of all the interviews-with-the-editors and the Writer's Guidelines from every publication we profiled -- more than a dozen, all told -- as part of our Workshop-At-Home Package: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/trc/letushelp)
What's interesting about in-flights is that while the major airline publications are hard to break into, the commuter airlines aren't as forbidding. And a by-line in one makes for a very attractive clip -- not only will it be full-color and glossy, but you can also bank the prestige of saying you were published by an in-flight magazine.
In Jen's Dispatch #2, she included links to a few in-flights you might consider. Again, you'll find all her dispatches at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2007/
INSIDE TIP -- WE GOOFED AND YOU GAIN: When I started writing today's e-letter, I clicked through to the order device on the Workshop-At-Home package and discovered that our Marketing Director, Jackie Flynn, never took down the $100 discount we offered last week, while our live event was underway.
Now, I'm ordinarily a stickler for deadlines. If we say a discount is expiring, it expires.
But Jackie lives in Ireland, and it's already the middle of the night there. So there's no way that order form is going to come down before she gets my email asking her to take care of it -- on Monday.
So... this works to your advantage! If you click through to the order device today, you can still get the $100 discount on our Workshop-At-Home: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/trc/letushelp
Have a great weekend. And don't forget to scroll down for today's writing prompt. Our most successful readers are those who practice their writing and photography regularly. Do it even half-an-hour a day, and you'll be astonished at the strides you make. In the interest of taking you one step closer to success, try out this week's writing prompt -- it's something you can easily finish in less than an hour.
Take care,
-- Lori
Lori Allen
Director, AWAI's Travel Division
P.S. Don't forget about our upcoming pet photography workshop in Hershey, Pennsylvania this September 14-16. In one long weekend, you'll learn everything there is to know about breaking into this fun and lucrative business. For details, visit: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/petphoto/
P.P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's or photographer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter
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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:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/biz/website
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PRACTICAL WRITING PROMPT OF THE WEEK: The Savvy Traveler
I wrote a short article last month for Travel Post Monthly (http://tinyurl.com/3xf659) about beating the Lost Luggage System at the airport.
I consider myself a fairly savvy traveler, so when our luggage was lost for the first three days of our honeymoon, I felt fairly certain it would be found. And, I reasoned, even if it didn't turn up -- I had carefully packed enough essentials in our carry-on bags to get us through the lion's share of our trip.
There were, however, a few things I wish I had done differently -- including marking my bags more visibly.
Lots of travelers mark their bags so that they're easier to distinguish on the baggage carrousel at baggage claim. But what I didn't realize is that marking your bag actually makes it easier for the Lost Luggage Department to find it too.
When I went to the counter and could only offer the guy: "It's a black bag with a zipper and wheels," I knew I was in trouble. Of course he could look at the luggage tag to find my name but that doesn't help him find the right bag in a sea of other black bags.
Anyway, my point is: Little tips like these make great travel articles. And they don't necessarily have to be about traveling on planes, trains, or in cars, either.
Tips can be about a hidden entrance into a famous park that never has a line... how to negotiate a discount on rental cars at the rental counter... a quick fix for your mask and snorkel to keep your mask from fogging (by the way, spit works and so does tearless baby shampoo).
This weekend, write up a tip you rely on.
When you're finished, send your article to the Travel Post Monthly: http://travelpostmonthly.com/
Or, if you'd like someone to read your piece before you send it to an editor, consider signing up for Unlimited Critiques: http://www.acceleratedtrainingservices.com/tuc/website
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READER FEEDBACK: An Article, a Press Trip and More Discounts
"...just received word this morning that 40-Plus Travel & Leisure is taking another [article] on Italy... and paying me for it! Also heard from my contact at Emirates Air that they, and the Dubai tourist/business group, would be happy to put a press trip together for me in the near future. Also, was able to secure some great discounts for my upcoming trip to Puerto Vallarta by offering to do some articles. Can't wait to finish your program." -- Mark Rowlee
ED. NOTE: If you don't yet own a copy of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program, you should. If you're ready to turn your travel-writer dreams into reality -- fast -- then start today, right here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/website
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OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:
* TAKE BETTER PICTURES OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: http://tinyurl.com/3accwj
* LEARN TO PHOTOGRAPH PETS FOR CASH: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/petphoto
* CAN YOU RETIRE AND GET PAID TO TRAVEL?:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/website
*HOW (AND WHEN) TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN EDITOR: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/biz/website
* ARE YOU GOOD AT PERSUADING PEOPLE? Persuasive Writers are Hard to Find:
http://www.thewriterslife.com/fr89
* NOT PUBLISHED YET? HERE'S HELP:
http://www.acceleratedtrainingservices.com/tuc/website
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The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.
(c) 2007 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com
To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com
