The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop |
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While You Sail Along
Mexico's Pacific Coast this November, you can... |
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The
American Writers & Artists Institute Presents
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The Ultimate Travel Writer's
Workshop |
On Board Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas November 9-16, 2003 Cabo San Lucas — Mazatlan — Puerto Vallarta — Los Angeles |
Dear International Living Reader, Imagine a summer of travel...free. All you have to do in exchange is take good notes about what you did and where you went and then recommend -- or discourage -- others from following in your footsteps. What's more, you'll earn a few hundred...maybe even a few thousand...dollars for your trouble. Sound too good to be true? Well, that's exactly how retired television executive Duane Harm and his wife Harlene spent the summer of 2002 -- traveling across the western U.S. All told, they visited 23 different dude ranches in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana over a three-month period, staying for free an average of three days at each ranch. The total value of their summer stays? About $55,000...and they didn't pay anything. Not one cent. What's more, they wrote an article for Steamboat Magazine, a high-end coffee-table publication based in Steamboat Springs, CO that comes out twice a year. And they were paid for their work. Duane and Harlene aren't trained journalists. In fact, before The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop they attended in Paris, they were just ordinary retirees -- bored with golf and looking for a sideline to keep them busy. Neither one had ever penned an article. But now they are working travel writers...and not the only ones who turned this conference in Paris into a new career. When Tim O'Rielly came to Paris, he'd never written an article in his life. But as a freelance photographer he has occasion to travel, and he was looking for a way to get more mileage (and more money) out of his journeys. Already he has. As soon as he got home to California, he put the lessons he learned to the test and sat down to write. Two months later, his first full-length feature article about travels in the Mayan World appeared in Vision Magazine. Since then, he's written two more cover stories for that publication. He told me, "Your course really spurred me to take action and risk hearing a 'no' or a 'yes' from an editor." A few weeks ago, I received a note from Laura Gagnon in New York. A bass player in a band by trade, she travels the world on tour and was looking for a way to spend her daytime, off-the-stage hours more productively, so she came to Paris for a crash course in travel writing. In her e-mail she says, "I have two restaurant/lounge reviews published on www.sheckys.com, which is an online guide to nightlife in New York and LA. They were works-for-hire, so writers aren't credited for each review. But there is a print edition of the guide coming out this fall, and in that I'll be listed as a contributor. The editor was great to work with, and they even paid promptly. Once again, the Paris writing course was fantastic. If you ever do a 'Part 2' let me know!"
The Best "Job" in the World The list of success stories goes on and on. But my point, really, is this: You don't need a degree in journalism or a mastery of the English language to become a travel writer. You don't need a fancy laptop or lots of money. What you do need is an interest in seeing new places and meeting new people.
And that's partly why we've decided to host our next Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop on board Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas. While at sea, you’ll be learning the ins and outs of travel writing. At port in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, you'll be out exploring, gathering material for articles. What better way to get started writing about travel than to take a trip? Travel writing has got to be the best "job" in the world. It offers you the freedom to travel...to live wherever you like...to work the hours you prefer... My friends, in fact, question whether it's a job at all or just an excuse for me to get out of town. I can't blame them. As a travel writer, not only can you see the world, all expenses paid, but you can be paid to write about your experiences...if you know the secrets behind how this business works, that is. Learn the Secrets fromSuccessful, Working Professionals And that is exactly what you'll find out on our cruise program. It's for people who want to become successful, published travel writers. The good news is that you'll —
Explore Three of Mexico's Most Inviting Coastal Cities Plus, you'll have a lot of fun exploring Mexico's sunny Pacific coast. Part of your coursework will include assignments out-and-about in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta -- so you'll have an opportunity to explore on your own as you research your article. At Cabo San Lucas, the desert meets the sea. Balanced at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, from here you can take a small boat out to El Arco -- a stories-high, golden-rock arch that leans out over the water. Under it lie the secluded sands of Playa de Amor. Land's End this place is called -- where the gentle Sea of Cortez meets the roiling Pacific Ocean. If you'd rather not get sandy, Cabo's trendy restaurants, bars, and shops will keep you occupied. Interior design shops sell colorful hand-painted pottery, hand-blown glass, and tableware. At the handicrafts market, stalls packed tight with merchandise offer everything from fine folk art to sombreros. It was from Mazatlan, still today Mexico's most important port city, that Spanish galleons laden with gold left Mexico to round Cape Horn on the long journey back to Europe. The colonial city still exists, and it's worth a visit. Climb into a taxi or an open-air jitney and leave the tourist crowds behind as you follow the miles of scenic, sandy shore into the old downtown's central square. Visit an intricately tiled, 19th-century cathedral... a lavishly restored theater built in 1874... the art institute... the Museum of Anthropology and History.
Puerto Vallarta, 200 miles south of Mazatlan, is our third stop along Mexico's dramatic west coast. A cobblestone fishing village first made famous by John Huston's 1964 film, The Night of the Iguana, today it's a thriving city of 300,000. Yet despite its growth -- and tourist renown -- it maintains its original character. In Viejo Vallarta, all the buildings are whitewashed with red-tile roofs and wrought-iron balconies. In Gringo Gulch, a neighborhood in the hills surrounding town, homes perch behind curtains of green palms and color-filled gardens, looking out to a bright blue ocean. (This is the neighborhood where hundreds of expatriates settled in the 1950s. You can visit Elizabeth Taylor's former home, connected by a "love bridge" to Richard Burton's former home across the street. Today the two residences make up Casa Kimberly -- a B&B that offers tours.) The Old Town's charming streets are punctuated by tree-shaded plazas and on the main square, a church topped by an ornate crown. On the malecon, where a seawall and sidewalk run along the shore, you can rest on a carved iron bench or cross the street to take a break in one of the many restaurants or cafes. Whimsical sculptures dot the street, and galleries offer everything from folk art to fine examples from modern masters. Write a Short Article...and
We'll Work With You to We've structured this week-long course so that you'll come away with at least one "publishable" piece in hand. The idea is that you'll immediately apply what you've been learning each day. You see, in my view (and maybe this is because I spent years in the classroom as a teacher) it's not really useful to just sit back and scribble notes on a pad of paper. That's what you typically do in seminars.
What is useful, on the other hand, is to roll up your sleeves, lean forward, and really put what you're learning to practice. And that's what you'll do in The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop. But don't worry, we won't leave you hunched over, staring at a blank piece of paper and struggling with what to say and how to say it. We'll walk you, step-by-step, through exactly what you need to do to put your article together, answering your questions and helping you along the way. In fact, you'll learn proven templates for travel articles. Follow these formulas, and you'll always know what to put first and what to write next. They'll cut hours off your writing time. What's more, when you have your finished piece ready to go, we'll hand you the name and contact information for an editor who is already looking forward to your submissions. She's in the market for articles -- about Mexico and beyond -- and if you can deliver what she's after, she's ready to pay you for your work.
Under my careful guidance and that of two of my most successful colleagues -- Steenie Harvey, International Living's roving editor in Europe, and John Forde, one of Agora Publishing's most accomplished writers -- you'll learn more useful, practical material over this week than you'd ever learn in any run-of-the-mill college course. We're hosting this workshop on board the Vision of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship that, as one critic put it, "exudes class." It boasts a spa, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, six whirlpools, a stunning glass observatory, and the Masquerade Theater, which features nightly entertainment. The ship is elegantly decorated (which is not an insignificant when you consider the purple neon that mars some vessels). The atrium through which you board, for instance, soars seven stories high and boasts white marble floors softened by warm leather furniture, wood accents, live plants, and water sculptures. The cabins are thoughtfully designed, and even the smallest ones include a sitting area. There's an internet café on board, so you won’t be out of touch. And while we'll be busy with our "classroom" activities during the days at sea, we'll leave ample time for you to enjoy the ship's many amenities. (That includes midnight buffets...a library filled with over 1,000 volumes...a champagne bar...a spa...and more.) Most important, we've arranged extremely discounted rates for our workshop participants (as well as family and friends). You can enjoy a week's accommodation with all your meals and access to all the ship's facilities and activities for as little as $640 per person, which includes all the taxes and port charges. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more affordable way to spend a week well fed and in well-appointed luxury. No Experience Necessary...But Do Bring Along a Few Other Things I want to say, again, that you don't need experience to become a travel writer. The many folks who participated in our Paris and Mexico programs in the past have gone on free trips and published articles...not one of them called himself a travel writer before the workshop. (And, as International Living's publisher, Kathleen Peddicord, reminded me recently, some of the very best writers she's ever worked with at IL worked previously in professions totally unrelated...carpenters, teachers, attorneys, even bartenders.)
We'll give you the rest of the tools you need -- all the how-to information about what to say to an editor (and how to say it)...insider's tricks to landing plum assignments...how to find the best publications for your articles...and more. So you won't just come away from this week with the writing skills you need...you'll also know exactly how to take an article from the "idea" stage all the way through to the pages of a magazine...and get paid, too. The only thing I ask is that once you've learned the secrets of free travel...and when you get paid assignments to exotic destinations all over the globe...that you complete the work that goes along with it. It may be the best job in the world...but you do have to actually write something. We'll make that part even easier, though. When you join me and my colleagues on board the Vision of the Seas, we'll give you not only a thick binder of course materials you can refer to again and again, but access to a special resource we put together especially for travel writers. We call it the Travel Writer's Little Black Book, and in it you'll find more than 100 of the most valuable contacts, services, and resources you'll need as a travel writer, including the seven top sources for free press trips and media kits...21 publications for new writers to break into...our top nine picks for the best places to do research on-line...15 hot "writing" resources...46 ways to make mobile, global work easy and efficient...and much more... Plus, participants gain special access to our members-only On-Line Forum for Travel Writers. It’s a place where you can post questions and get answers...have fellow writers read and review your work...exchange success stories and ideas for new places to publish. It's a way to keep in touch with the folks you meet on the cruise and hear from the people who graduated from past workshops. As a networking tool, you won’t find a better one.
The registration fee for this workshop, which covers admission to three days of intensive class sessions geared to produce a publishable article...the direct line to an editor eager to read your piece...one-on-one work with the faculty...a course binder you'll take home that contains 278 pages of helpful notes, exercises, sample articles, and more...the Travel Writer's Little Black Book with over 100 useful resources for new travel writers...and access to our members-only On-Line Forum for Travel Writers...is just $1,397 per person. If you sign on before September 10, 2003, you save a full $200, which means you pay just $1,197. We only have room for 35 students. Once those spots are filled, that's it. In years past in Paris we've been able to add second and third sessions of the program to accommodate everyone who is interested in participating. But as we'll only be on board Vision of the Seas for a week, we don't have that flexibility. When we've got 35 enrolled – registration will close. So if you're interested, please call today to sign on. In fact, we already have a waiting list of people who couldn’t make it to Paris this past April, so the spots are filling up. To reserve your place, call my colleagues Andrea, Michelle, or Barbara at Agora Travel today at (800) 926-6575 or (561) 243-6276, or e-mail them at:tours@gate.net I look forward to seeing you on deck! Sincerely,
Jennifer Stevens Freelance travel writer and editor,
P.S. Our travel writing workshops generate such keen interest among travel enthusiasts and people looking for the freedom and flexibility of a writer's life, that they fill up quickly. To avoid any chance of disappointment, please reserve your spot today. This workshop demands from our faculty and staff the highest level of effort and enthusiasm. It's something we look forward to and plan for all year. And with each subsequent workshop we make improvements and revisions to the program. A full week long, this format incorporates more time for your own writing and for one-on-one revision with class members and the professional writers and editors leading the program. We promise you a productive, pleasurable, and above all, life-changing experience. I look forward to seeing you there! To sign on, simply CLICK HERE, call (800) 926-6575, or e-mail: tours@gate.net. |
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Well-Appointed,
Sophisticated Accommodations...
Children are warmly welcomed on board, with extensive programs to entertain any ages 3-17. Combine your vacation with the workshop! Not only are family and friends sure to enjoy a memorable trip...but the price is right. We've arranged a considerably discounted room rate for participants and their guests. You'll save as much as 44% when you take advantage of our special group pricing and pay as little as $640 per person for seven nights' accommodation, around-the-clock dining options, nightly entertainment, and most shipboard activities. (That cruise-only price includes all taxes and port charges. The price of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop is extra. The workshop costs $1,397 per person.) Pricing and What's Included Price of Workshop + Price of Cabin = Your Total Cost
The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop PRICE: $1,397 per person $200 DISCOUNT when you sign up before September 10, 2003. You pay just $1,197. The workshop includes:
Cabin Rates on Royal Caribbean's Vision
of the Seas (7-night cruise only)
The cabin fee includes accommodations for 7 nights, around-the-clock dining options, nightly entertainment, and most shipboard activities. ADDITIONAL TRAVELERS: Third- and fourth-person rates are $375 per person, cruise only. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: Single-accommodation pricing is available upon request. Accommodation pricing listed above is based on double-occupancy. Participants who specifically request single accommodations pay a single supplement. If you are traveling alone and wish to share a cabin with another participant, we will try to find a roommate for you, although we cannot guarantee a match. The single- supplement cost is due when you register. If a roommate is available, we will issue you a credit. CANCELLATION POLICY: The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop and the Cruise are completely non-refundable. If you cancel due to medical reasons that are covered by your purchased travel-insurance policy, we will advise the insurance company that your travel and conference fees are non-refundable. PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: We strongly suggest you protect your investment by purchasing trip-cancellation insurance, and we would be happy to recommend a policy to you. Please ask us about it when you call.
or call today to reserve your place! Phone: (800)
926-6575 and (561) 243-6276 — Fax: (561) 278-8765 Agora Travel and
Conference Services |
Bring
your family along for the trip, and take the kids to the aquarium or
to see the rusty cannon on Lookout Hill, where you'll get a glorious
view of Mazatlan and the coast. If you're a shopper, dally in the Zona
Dorada to find jewelry... handicrafts... and tourist do-dads of every
sort. 
The
information you'll gain at this workshop could, quite literally, change
your life -- it has already for so many of our alumni who, today, are
working travel writers. You might reasonably expect it to cost thousands
of dollars. After all, you're getting extraordinary access to industry
experts and one-on-one help from professional writers who will share
with you the insights and secrets they've learned on-the-job. But it
won't cost anywhere near that. I'll give you the numbers in a minute,
but first let me tell you a little more about the program. 
To
participate this November, however, you should bring along a curiosity
about the world...an eagerness to explore places you've never seen...and
a strong desire to start something new in your life. 
If
you like the idea of getting paid to travel to exotic locations around
the globe, and if you want to begin a sideline or a full-time career
as a travel writer, join me and my colleagues November 9-16, 2003 as
we sail along Mexico's Pacific coast.
We're
hosting this workshop on board Vision of the Seas, a luxurious
Royal Caribbean cruise ship. With room for 2,400 guests in all, it's
really a floating resort. Among its amenities are a spa, indoor and outdoor
pools, six whirlpools, a stunning glass observatory, a casino, a champagne
bar, and the Masquerade Theater, which features nightly entertainment.