Hi - I just realized I've got members! Sorry for the delay.
We're the only tribe for travel writers in here, so all topics are open.
I'm an American living in Brussels. Just moved here two months ago, and starting to get back into freelancing after a couple of years translating. I used to write a monthly column on Paris for a magazine in the US, and have done other things on food, museums, and artists.
With the three of us in 3 different countries, maybe we could pass on possible projects?
I'll try to post anything interesting I find that relates to Canada or the US. I'd love it if you could keep me in mind for anything regarding Europe.
We're the only tribe for travel writers in here, so all topics are open.
I'm an American living in Brussels. Just moved here two months ago, and starting to get back into freelancing after a couple of years translating. I used to write a monthly column on Paris for a magazine in the US, and have done other things on food, museums, and artists.
With the three of us in 3 different countries, maybe we could pass on possible projects?
I'll try to post anything interesting I find that relates to Canada or the US. I'd love it if you could keep me in mind for anything regarding Europe.
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Hello!
I would definitely be interested in an exchange of ideas and markets.
Currently, I'm the luxury travel editor for BellaOnline, one of the two largest women's communities on the web. Not a huge paying job, but it takes care of the basic bills. I also wrote 2 WDW/Orlando guidebooks for Frommer's last year [an experience I won't be repeating...at least not for them] and freelanced to a few other small publications.
To help balance out my income, I do photography assignments and also freelance web and graphic design. My website is at www.mrshmedia.com.
I'm happy I found this group. It's good to talk to other travel writers. =) -
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Wow.
I'd love to hear about your Frommer's experience some time. -
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Off the board...sure. =) Basically, it was a lot of grunt work, not as much money as I'd have liked and most of the edits I've read in the finished product consisted of twisting my words...excuse me, editing my words....to make me sound more vicious and vindictive when reviewing things I didn't like. So, not an experience I'd do again without a lot of thought and more money, though it is cool to walk into a bookstore and see your titles up on the shelf.
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that's strange - so they were looking for more vindictive writers...
So how did they find you, or how did you go about approaching them? -
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I guess so. I'm always honest if I don't like something, but I don't see the need to cut it down. I'm more into constructive criticism. Like I said the entertainment at one of the clubs was "hit-or-miss depending on the band playing that night" and they changed it to "bearable only if drinking". I can see editing for word count or something, but to me, that's totally different from what I had actually said.
They actually approached me saying they liked my writing. Ironic, eh?
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Hi!
I guess I'm a sort of borderline member here, since my travel writing skills are expressed in another language (and focused on another market...)
Anyway I'm a consultant for an Italian travel magazine and I do some freelance corporate copywriting for tourism offices (websites, advertising, e-learning programs, press releases etc.).
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Hi,
I travel and write about travels, but it has been years since I made any money at it. I did a trip across the US on a motorcycle, riding back to the east coast via Canada. The pictures may be better than the story...
www.jbfields3.com/journal/2003-06WCRT/
I like reading travel books, also.
J
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Unsu...
Hi!
I'm hoping you all are still interested in posting to this tribe. I'm unfortunately, not a travel writer yet, but I'm hoping to be soon. That being said, I've written lots of essays about my travels, but turned to more technical writing and promotional writing to pay the bills. I'm just looking to meet up with people and see how this field works.
Cheers -
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Hi all!
I've just returned from a trip to Asia and I'm inspired to turn my travelogues/journals into something readable, possibly even for submission to a magazine??? I'm a complete novice at this point, and starting from scratch and working full time (NOT as a writer), so I have no idea if I'll even stay motivated to write, but I may be looking for pointers or advice in the coming months.
chow
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Hi Mary,
I can only speak for Italy, and as an editor and technical writer, but I think that certain patterns are similar in every country.
I've worked for one of the best magazine for independent travellers, and they heavily rely on contributors' first step to provide original information to the readership -- even at the cost of heavily editing.
Of course this is an extreme case, but it is very telling about what I think travel contributions should be: an original perspective on something the reader may or may not know.
So if I were you I would read what "classic literature" tells about the regions you visited (guides, famous magazines, etc,) and I would use it as a yardstick to value the originality of what you experienced. Then I would make a list of the original points, and write an abstract about them. With this list at hand you can start contacting magazines: it is more likely that your contributions will be accepted if they're short (sometimes there are gaps to be filled on a short notice and your contribution could prove really useful.)
A hint: if this is your first writing experience, don't start with the huge plan of writing about Asia; such project requires some artisanal skills that cannot be improvised, and it would be like willing to drive and pretending to start with the space shuttle... :)
You can always keep your travelogue and work on it, while you train with the short essays.
My 2 dyslexic cents while I struggle with New Caledonia... -
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Thanks lola -
Your advice was pretty much what I had in mind. To start out, I'd like to take a individual experiences - a crazy bus ride, a lone hike in the jungle, or an adventurous meal - and turn them into several short pieces. This seems a lot more manageable and useful than trying to write a travel masterpiece or a memoir, and it would seem that writing several short pieces should help me find my writer's voice.
I'll be in touch as I (if I?) continue on this path.
mary
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Hello to all !!
I am as new to this TRIBE as one can possibly be! I've just joined tribe.net and quickly found my way to this tribe where I've read with interest the previous postings.
I am from Montreal, Canada and - at age 39 - have recently 'retired' from the 'corporate' world as a technology consultant. I have done some traveling recently and have enjoyed it to the point that I would like to pursue a more nomadic lifestyle. One option I have begun exploring, as a means of income while 'nomading', is freelance writing - including travel writing.
Two summers ago I spent three months in Italy, including one month in a remote Alpine village (birthplace of my grandparents) where I wrote email journals almost daily as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family - many of whom suggested I look into writing as a career.
I have found a couple of resources that I would like to submit some of my writing to and if anyone in this tribe has any suggestions or resources that would also be relavant, I would be very appreciative.
Incidently, I also wrote about 'Palio', an amazing 'horse race' / five-day festival which takes place twice every year in Sienna (Tuscany) . If you're ever in Italy at the begining of July or the end of August, I strongly suggest you attend!
Ciao for now,
Indigo
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- the Writer's Guide to the market. Comes out every year. They also have a paid website. Or travelwriters.com.
Hope you enjoyed the Palio.
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Benvenuto Indigo Bucks :)
Out of curiosity: where did you spend your month in the Alps?
Also, beware before you submit your stuff about the palio: the city's correct spelling is Siena. It's not only the anal-retentive in me that's talking ;) Siena is a very famous place, and an editor is going to appreciate VERY MUCH any effort of being precise when spelling foreign names: it means less job for 'em!
Good luck with your nomadic life planning. -
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Hi Lola D. .... Yes, Siena ... Thank you!
My family is from a town called Antey-St-Andre in the Vallee d'Aosta. I stayed there for a month in the house that my grandfather was born in. The house is still in our family, but no one lives there full-time. I'm sure it will be rented out during the Olmpics!
Have you ever been to Palio?
Ciao for now,
:D
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