Edited by Lori Appling in Arlington, VA
June 16, 2006

Bob Porter says, "Peter, it looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately." Peter replies, "I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob!" -- Office Space

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Today:

• Double Your Income by Selling Special-Interest Pieces to Niche Publications
• Last Chance - Register Before June 20 and Save $300!
• Three New, Not-So-Obvious Places to Get Published
• More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
  
  

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LAST CHANCE - REGISTER BEFORE JUNE 20 AND SAVE $300!

Spend Four Days at the Foot of the Rockies, and Discover the Secrets to Traveling the World for Free... and Getting Paid as a Travel Writer

The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop
Denver, CO -- July 20-23, 2006

Click here for details: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/denver

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Dear Reader,

Special-Interest travel articles are articles that focus on a specific activity as it relates to a travel destination. These specific activities (or special interests) can be anything from diving to mountain climbing to shopping to gardening. Basically, any kind of hobby is a special interest. And when you write a travel article geared for such hobbyists, you can easily increase your chances of selling it.

How? Because you're expanding its marketability. All of a sudden it's not just the editors at travel publications who might be interested, but the editors at niche publications, too.

Say you've written an article about yoga retreats in Costa Rica, for instance. You could certainly sell that sort of piece to a straight travel magazine. But a niche publication like Spa Finder might well be interested too...

(If you're a student of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program -- http://www.thetraelwriterslife.com/sh/tw4 -- this isn't news to you.)

What's more, when you think along the "niche" lines... you immediately increase the number of articles you can produce -- and sell -- from one trip. And that means you can be making more money every time you travel.

Say you're exploring Belize. You could write one general destination piece about the country and be done with it. Or you could, in addition, write a piece on the best jewelry finds... and another on the most affordable dive packages... and another on inland birding excursions. Sell all four of those articles -- rather than just the one -- and all of a sudden, you're making a lot more money from that single trip.

In today's issue, below, freelance writer Jerre Repass profiles three off-the-beaten-path markets you've probably never thought about... three places where a "niche" piece could do very well.

Before I leave you to her advice, however... a quick reminder that it's still not too late to save $300 on our Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop, set for July 20-23 in Denver. But remember, that Early Bird Discount expires on Tuesday.

If you've been putting off your registration, please don't any longer. Already more than half the seats are taken, and this once-a-year program always sells out. I don't expect we'll have many (if any) spots left at the end of next week, and I hate to turn folks away. To save your seat (and your $300), click here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/denver

You know, every year we freshen and improve this program, and this one is going to be really special...

** Kyle Wagner, Travel Editor at the Denver Post, is going to speak. She'll give you the lo-down on the best ways to break into the newspaper market... and tell you (in practical terms) what separates merely adequate articles from those editors simply cannot resist...

** Stan Sinberg -- a freelancer whose by-line has appeared in the Boston Globe, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, and beyond -- will show you how to integrate humor into your articles... how to tell "your" story without boring the pants off of your reader... and how to come up with a unique angle when you're writing about a place that's been profiled a million times before.

** Steenie Harvey will be flying in from Ireland to join us. She's an undeniably savvy freelancer who's written for all the big British papers, the Washington Post, International Living, The World & I, and countless other publications around the world. She's authored several guidebooks, too. Adept at landing incredible assignments and an editor's dream to work with - you'll learn how she does it... and she'll hand over the keys to getting unbelievable travel perks.

** Tom Schueneman, publisher of The Traveler -- an e-zine Writer's Weekly recently rated one of the best places for new writers to get published -- will be on hand as well. Tom will talk about his publication (and give you the inside track on landing a by-line there). Plus he'll show you some simple tricks of the trade that will immediately increase your odds of getting published anywhere you submit your work.

** Carol Shields, an accomplished photographer and writer, will share with you her tried-and-true formula for creating story-photo packages editors love. You don't need fancy equipment to take photos of publishable quality. And when you can offer editors pictures to illustrate your articles, you're likely to sell more... and make more, too. Carol will show you how it's done.

** Jen Stevens, the architect of our Travel Writer program and the former editor of International Living, will be on hand in Denver, of course. She'll provide you with the inside scoop about what makes editors crazy (so you know what not to do) and hand you blueprints for articles you can follow so easily you'll find your pieces written (and published) faster than you ever imagined possible.

These guys are good. And they're generous with their time and their guidance, too. They are coming to Denver to "spill the beans" about this business. And when they do... they'll be passing on years upon years of hard-earned secrets.

I can't imagine a better... more efficient... or more enjoyable way to jump-start your career. I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity. Life's too short to put it off for another year.

For more details about this program (and to save $300 before Tuesday), click here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/denver

As always... keep me up-to-speed on your travel-writing or photography success. If you have a story to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.


Have a great week,

-- 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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I Went From "Reading" Romance To Selling My Own Romance Novel
For A Contract Worth $97,500 - And So Can You!

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A HANDFUL OF NOT-SO-OBVIOUS PLACE TO GET PUBLISHED
By Jerre Repass in Brinkley, AR

"Take a nickel until you can get a dime," an old lady once told me.

You see, while we may dream of the front-cover feature in a high-end travel magazine and fantasize about selling the screen rights to our books, we travel writers are likely to have the most success by starting small.

The good news is: There are hundreds of not-so-obvious places to get published along the way to big-time success:

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS PLACE #1: Local "welcome-to-our-hometown" magazines.

These magazines are great for new writers. Their focus is generally on giving local information to new residents or resident wanna-be's. And the competition is scarce. All you need is a travel-type article that simply and specifically explains what's great about where you live.

** WHERE TO FIND THEM: Check your local chamber of commerce or convention and visitors' bureau. Sometimes several cities will team up to cut costs, so check neighboring cities too.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS PLACE #2: Real-estate magazines.

Writing for the real-estate market is a lot like travel writing. All the same rules for success apply. One magazine I'm in negotiation with serves relocating retirees to three Southern states. I'd be a real dope to offer them a wonderful article about Montana! The mission of this particular magazine is to get some of those snow birds to retire where they have enjoyed vacationing.

Retirees may be there for the rest of their lives so the focus is somewhat different than a travel article for vacationers who will be in the area a week or so. Think long range and focus on season passes to parks and museums, educational possibilities, even clubs and organizations they may have belonged to back home.

** WHERE TO FIND THEM: They may be somewhat camouflaged as lifestyle or recreational publications, but you can get there by going in the back door: Call some of the high-end retirement villages and ask where they advertise. When you have the names of the magazines, you'll have a new market to pitch to.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS PLACE #3: Niche or "hobby" magazines.

Do you know about model trains? Patio gardening? Parenting your grandchildren? Chances are, there's a magazine out there for fellow enthusiasts. Combine that special interest with a travel angle, and you've got a saleable story. Take patio gardening as the hobby, for instance. How about a story laying out a walking route in x city that takes you past wonderful gardens. A quick warning about this one though... many hobby magazines have lots of folks who so love the subject they will write for free. That is not to say there is no value in the clip, but there may not be much money.

** WHERE TO FIND THEM: Visit the magazine wall at a large book store, and you'll find magazines devoted to virtually everything. And, too, search online for additional publications -- both print and online -- where you may have good luck pitching articles.

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