Dear Reader,

Some people -- like my mom, for instance -- have Christmas on the brain all year. She has everyone’s gifts bought and wrapped by October, and spends these busy shopping days happily picking out stocking stuffers.

But the rest of us are at a loss come December. If you’re like me, and you haven’t even started your holiday gift shopping... or even if you’re like my mom, and all you need are a few stocking stuffers to finish off the task... today’s issue should help.

Scroll down below for our annual Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers and Writers -- with gift ideas at a variety of price points to help spark ideas for the adventurous and creative people in your life.

If you missed photographer Shelly Perry’s Annual Gift Guide for Photographers yesterday, you’ll find it here.

Stay tuned... tomorrow I’ll share even more gift ideas from our wish lists here in the AWAI Travel Division.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
AWAI Travel Division

P.S. What do you give to that person who already has everything... or doesn’t want any more “stuff?” With our Thanksgiving Workshop Sale, you can give the gift of an amazing experience, and a whole new lifetime of possibilities, at HUGE discount. Plus, if you reserve a seat at our upcoming Ultimate Money-Making Photo Workshop or our Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop before midnight on Monday, you’ll get a FREE VIP Access Pass along with your deep discount.

Expires Monday: $700 off and a FREE VIP Access Pass to The Ultimate Money-Making Photo Workshop, April 16-18 in Nashville, TN.

Expires Monday $700 off and a FREE VIP Access Pass to The Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop, August 5-7 in Santa Monica, CA.

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November 26, 2009
The Right Way to Travel
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Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers and Writers: Hot Gift Ideas for 2009

If you’re not sure what to get for the traveler, writer, or photographer in your life (or even if you’re doing a little gift shopping for yourself) here are some of this year’s hottest items to slide under the tree.

BOOKS FOR THE TRAVELER, WRITER, OR PHOTOGRAPHER:

** The Hot Shoe Diaries, by Joe McNally - This book reveals the formula for photographer Joe McNally’s creative use of flash... and gives great tips on mastering it.

** Best American Travel Writing 2009 - Read some of the best travel writing of the year and get inspired to write your own story.

** The Travel Book, from Lonely Planet - This is a fun coffee table book -- with a quick summary and review of every country on the planet.

** Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2010 - this book includes a 2010 travel planner with next year’s hottest travel spots mapped out by month, travel trends, ideas, and inspiration for your next travel story.

** Travel magazine subscriptions (Budget Travel, Condé Nast Traveler, and National Geographic Traveler are always fun to read and drool over. You can subscribe to each of these on their respective websites.)

** In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan - If you’re into food writing, or simply interested in leading a healthy lifestyle in 2010, this is an interesting read about staying healthy through eating real, unprocessed food. It also gives insight into current food trends.

** Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe, from National Geographic - This book is more for the gourmand than the health nut... and takes you around the globe to some of the best eating on the planet.

** Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcom Gladwell - Why do some people become more successful than their peers? Malcom Gladwell explores the logic behind individual success in this book.

MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE TRAVELER:

** Kindle wireless reading device - Like having 1,500 books in your hand, only a lot lighter, the Kindle is Amazon’s ultra-portable, 3-G-enabled e-book reader.

** Gorillapod - Wrap your camera’s tri-pod around sign posts, guard rails, café chairs... almost anything... for crisp, blur-free images anywhere you go. Now available for heavier SLR cameras and zoom lenses, too.

** TravelSafe - This sturdy little steel mesh-enforced pouch holds all of your precious documents, cash, camera, or other items you hold dear, locks to anything, and includes its own padlock.

** Pop-up towelettes - Throw a few of these tiny, 1” round tablets in your picnic basket, travel case, camera bag, or wherever. Add water to one, and it unfurls into a moist towelette.

** Eton Microlink - This solar- and crank-powered device is a radio, flashlight, and cell phone charger in one... and may keep you out of the dark if the lights go out.

** BuiltNY laptop sleeve - These are bright and cheery, and they’re made out of neoprene foam, which is water-resistant. They add a protective layer to your electronics.

MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WRITER:

** Mobile Hotspot - Similar to a 3G modem, a mobile hotspot connects to cell phone signals. But rather than needing to be connected directly to a computer, it creates a small, five-user WiFi network, so the connection can be shared. It’s like having your own hotspot wherever you go. One option is the Verizon MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot.

** A published book - Glorify your favorite writer this year by putting his or her writing into an original book, and publishing it yourself. You can also make calendars or photo books out of his or her images.

** Laptop skins - A fun way to protect and dress up your laptop, phone, iPod, or other electronics is with “skins.” You choose a device (even Bluetooth headsets and flash drives are available to cover) and then you pick an image -- could be a photo you submit yourself or another design.

** Writer’s Market - a must-have for travel writers looking for places to get published. You can either buy a print edition or an online subscription.

** Rite in the Rain Journal and all-weather pen from REI - If you’re shopping for a scribbler or a sketcher who travels a bunch, this journal with all-weather paper will keep his or her stories and designs safe... even in the rain.

** Inka Pen - The pressurized ink cartridge in this pen makes it possible to write at any angle... even scribbling upside-down in your journal while swinging in a hammock.

** Ergonomic keyboard or desk chair - Save your favorite writer’s back and wrists with an ergonomic chair.

** A portfolio website - With GoDaddy.com, you can get a writer or photographer set up with a personal web site, starting around $5 per month, plus a $3 one-time fee to purchase his or her own website domain name. An easy-to-use website builder is included with your package.

** The Ultimate Travel Writer’s Program - If you or someone you know wants to enjoy the freedom, excitement, and fun of a travel writer’s life, this is, hands-down, the best way to begin. Author and freelance writer Jennifer Stevens covers everything from the very basics of composing a story to where to sell it to cashing in on VIP perks that travel writers can enjoy, like free hotel stays and even all-expenses-paid press trips. Right now is THE best time to get this program, while it’s on close-out for nearly 50% off, and comes with FREE shipping, PLUS a free gift -- Accelerated Travel Writing Success-The Audio Guide -- to get you through the entire program in 55 minutes or less:

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Staff Picks wish list!

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
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Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
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