From the desk of Kathleen Peddicord Publisher, International Living Would you like to "work" for me? Dear Reader, Right now, I need travel stories for three of my print publications (including International Living ) and several web sites. More specifically, I need some people to write these stories. If you are interested in coming to “work” for me, you might find yourself exploring the whitewashed towns of Sicily, in the middle of the Mediterranean. Or you could visit the beaches and the wild nightlife of southern Spain. Or maybe you'd prefer to investigate a chain of tropical islands off the coast of Panama, a notorious, 19 th -century Pirate hideout. In fact, I've published articles about each of these destinations recently -- and I've got dozens of others in mind, places I'd like people to write about for me. If this idea interests you, I encourage you to attend the program my associates are organizing January 22-25, 2004. I assure you: The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop lives up to its name. In fact, I've already had the great pleasure of paying for and publishing articles written by graduates of past workshops, held in Paris and Mexico. A Tremendous Need for Well-Written Travel Articles With the newsletters, travel guides, manuals, videos, and a handful of web sites I have under my wing -- I need a constant flow of good travel stories. And I'm not the only one. Every travel publisher I know is constantly on the lookout for new writers. People who love to travel…and can relate their experiences in an interesting manner. I realized the easiest way to put together a new corps of travel writers would be to gather some of my friends -- top editors and writers -- to meet for several days with a group of eager people who want to learn the secrets of how this business works…and how they can start a sideline or primary career as a travel writer. This is Exactly What We're Doing January 22-25, 2004 in Las Vegas I suggested that Jennifer Stevens, my top editor for many years, run this conference. Jen, in fact, put this whole project in motion three years ago when she created what I believe is the most thorough and effective guide ever published on the subject, called Passport to Romance: The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course . There's no one more qualified to show you how to become a successful travel writer than Jen. She has not only worked as the editor of several major publications, but she has personally taught hundreds of successful writers who started with little or no experience. In January, she and her colleagues -- all excellent, proven writers -- will hand over the important keys to success they learned the hard way... and boost your chances of success many times over. If you've ever dreamed of enjoying the freedom and perks of the writer's life...then this is your chance to make that dream a reality. I encourage you to attend. Sincerely, Kathleen Peddicord Publisher, International Living You Don't Need a Degree in Journalism or Even a Mastery of English... Participants in our past, sold-out sessions included...   A travel agent...a financial consultant...a freelance photographer...a television executive...a stay-at-home mom...an architect...an accounting professor...a retired elementary-school teacher...a newspaper columnist...a guitar player in a band...a sound engineer...an IT professional...a history teacher...a painter...a retired surgeon...a film actress...a financial editor...a real estate developer...a CPA...an acupuncturist...a college president...and many others...   Your Workshop Schedule   CLICK HERE for day-by-day itinerary of events. Well-Appointed, Sophisticated Accommodations... at a Bargain Price   Click Here for complete pricing and information

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."

Barbara Bode took our Paris program, too, and she sold two pieces she wrote during it to In Touch , an upscale membership magazine for a women's networking organization called Women of Washington/Los Angeles/Pasadena…now she writes a regular column for that publication. A recent transplant from Washington to Malta, Barbara sold a story about her new home to Transitions Abroad . Then, in the market for a refresher course -- and some fun -- Barbara joined our recent Travel Writer cruise down Mexico's Pacific coast. While on board, she wrote a piece about swimming with dolphins and has since sold it to another women's publication.  

Recently, 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 in Las Vegas. During the day you'll be learning the ins and outs of travel writing. In the evenings and at night, 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 from Successful,
Working Professionals

And that is exactly what you'll find out in our program. It's for people who want to become successful, published travel writers. The good news is that you'll:

Explore Invigorating Las Vegas

You always come away from a destination with a much better sense for its local culture, a much richer understanding of its place in the world, when you have the good fortune of falling in with the locals...and that's what will happen to you in Las Vegas.

Not only will you hear from a representative of Treasure Island, the swank hotel on the Strip where we're hosting this program, but we've also invited an editor of a local publication to talk to you about Vegas. What's more, he'll discuss what he looks for in a travel article and offer up his own insider's advice about how you, as a freelancer, can keep editors happy.

Plus, you'll have a lot of fun exploring Las Vegas. Part of your coursework will include assignments out-and-about in town -- so you'll have an opportunity to explore on your own as you research your article.

You might head to the Stratosphere Tower -- the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S. -- for a cocktail and a spectacular view of the city. If you're feeling gusty, you can ride the roller coaster while you're up there or have yourself shot 160 feet into the air on a bungee cord at 45 miles per hour.

Perhaps you enjoy slightly more staid entertainment. Consider taking in a show like Cirque de Soleil's O or Zumanity, The Blue Man Group, a male cabaret, or The Follies Bergere. In fact, we've made special arrangements with Treasure Island for advanced, VIP tickets to Cirque de Soleil's Mystere , which is regularly sold out there. (Reserve through us by January 5, and you'll pay the 2003 rate of $95. Prices are going up for 2004, so this amounts to not only a discount, but also a guarantee you'll get one of the best seats in the house.)

Vegas offers lush, palm tree- and waterfall-studded casinos, of course… along with dancing fountains, erupting volcanoes, and dueling pirate ships. There's the canopy and light show downtown on Fremont Street…the Liberace Museum…the wedding chapels…the strolling mimes…flamingos and African penguins…a dolphin habitat…a shark reef…and more…

Write a Short Article...and We'll Work With
You to Get It into "Publishable" Shape
Before the Workshop Ends

We've structured this 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 names and contact information for a handful of editors in the market for articles from freelancers, all willing to work with first-time writers. Deliver what they're after…and they'll 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 a long-time freelance writer, and John Forde, one of Agora Publishing's most accomplished writers -- you'll learn more useful, practical material over the course of this program than you'd ever learn in any run-of-the-mill college course.

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.

You're Guaranteed an Elegant Room, Excellent Service,
and Extraordinary Entertainment at Treasure Island

As I mentioned, we're hosting this workshop in Las Vegas at Treasure Island, a lavish hotel, casino, and spa right on the Strip that boasts a replica of an 18th-century sea village surrounded by rock cliffs, shrubs, palm trees, and nautical artifacts all perched above a blue lagoon.

As a guest, you'll be treated to a VIP view of the resort's famed Sirens of TI -- the outdoor production that features a clash between a group of beautiful and tempting sirens and a band of renegade pirates. A music and dance extravaganza, it integrates swordplay, high-diving acrobatics, and eye-popping pyrotechnics. The free performances take place nightly at 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00.

The hotel's rooms were all renovated recently, and you'll find them elegantly decorated with rich, sophisticated fabrics. The resort prides itself on its excellent service, which you'll enjoy from the moment you set foot in the lobby.

"Loved the opportunity to write creatively again. Absolutely I would recommend this course...I’ve been a copywriter for 30 years and feel like I’ve been reborn. Thank you." -- Kathryn L.

An outdoor pool entices guests to take a soothing dip. And the spa offers an oasis of calm. You can relax with coffee, tea, or a fruit smoothie after a massage or scrub and enjoy whirlpools, steam rooms, and saunas.

Most important, we've arranged an extremely discounted hotel rate for our workshop participants. You'll pay just $119 per night for your room, which is an extraordinary weekend rate in Las Vegas. To stay on the Strip over a Friday or Saturday, you'd typically pay at least $200 a night. Our discount is significant, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable way to enjoy a long weekend in Las Vegas in such 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.)

To participate this January, 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.

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.

"I got a huge amount out of the course! In fact IL has very kindly published an e-postcard "An Oxford Afternoon" already. It is definitely a psychological kick start for me, so I'll keep going. I'm enjoying it so much." -- Jean F.

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 in Las Vegas, 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 in Las Vegas and hear from the people who graduated from past workshops. As a networking tool, you won't find a better one.

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 January 22-25, 2004 in lavish Las Vegas.

The registration fee for this workshop, which covers admission to four days of intensive class sessions geared to produce a publishable article...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 January 5, 2004, you save $100, which means you pay just $1,297.

Space is limited, so I encourage you to sign on early. This program has sold out each and every time we've offered it. This is our first Stateside event -- something aspiring participants have been asking us for -- and so I expect this Las Vegas program to fill up very quickly as well.

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 due to the faculty's schedules, that won't be possible this time. So once the seats are full, that's it.

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 our recent Travel Writer cruise down Mexico's Pacific coast, so spots for this Vegas event are already filling up.

To reserve your place, call my colleagues Michelle or Barbara at Agora Travel today at (800) 926-6575 or (561) 243-6276, or e-mail them at: info@agoratravel.com.

I look forward to seeing you in Vegas!

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. This January, you can expect an intense, fast-paced event packed full of insider's secrets.

Though designed to provide the exact same content our workshops in Paris and Mexico do (and a bit more, really), we created this Stateside program to entail fewer days away and less travel expense for you. We promise a productive, pleasurable, and above all, life-changing experience. I look forward to seeing you there! To sign on, simply click to register below, call (800) 926-6575, or e-mail: info@agoratravel.com.