Feb
28
American Borders
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Carla King’s new book is out:
“New book describes a woman’s solo journey around the USA on a cranky Russian motorcycle
San Francisco, CA — February 5, 2007 — Breakdowns in small towns all around America is the theme of a new book titled American Borders by Carla King, about her solo journey around the United States on a Russian Ural sidecar motorcycle.
A comedy of mechanical, social, and natural disasters
A motorcycle journey to explore the borders between the United States with Canada and Mexico becomes a comedy of mechanical, social, and natural disasters. King’s four-month, ten-thousand-mile solo test ride of the newly-imported Russian Ural is punctuated by cracked welds and electrical gremlins, evil tow truck drivers, roadside romances, tornadoes and hurricanes.
A great read! says Lonely Planet.
Feb
28
What Is the Best Work of American Fiction of the Last 25 Years?
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
From the January 12 New York Times: “Early this year, the Book Review’s editor, Sam Tanenhaus, sent out a short letter to a couple of hundred prominent writers, critics, editors and other literary sages, asking them to please identify ‘the single best work of American fiction published in the last 25 years.’ Following are the results …” [Read A. O. Scott's essay. See a list of the judges.]
Feb
28
Sin and Syntax: Grammar for grownups
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| March 24, 2007 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
March 24, 10 am to 5 pm
UCSC Extension, Cupertino
Taught by Constance Hale.
Feb
28
National Geographic Traveler Seminars
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| June 3, 2007 |
Inside Secrets of Successful Travel Photography (Dallas and Minneapolis), Travel Photography in the Digital World (Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Montreal), and Inside Secrets of Successful Travel Writing (Los Angeles) are being offered by National Geographic Traveler between March and June. Class dates, descriptions, and registration info here. (“Ohmygod,” my friend says. “Now they’re going to charge us to tell us what to do to not get accepted by them.”)
Feb
28
Fundamentals of Freelance Editing: How to build a freelance editing career
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| March 10, 2007 |
Saturday March 10, 10 am to 5 pm
UCB Extension, San Francisco
Taught by Constance Hale
Feb
28
Reconstructing the Past: When History and Journalism Meet
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| April 21, 2007 |
Saturday, April 21, 2007
“Do you yearn to tackle historical narrative, but feel daunted by dusty archives? Do you dream of being Ken Burns, but worry that such effort would burn you out? Do you hunger for workshops on building biographies, getting better at Google, and finding the perfect special collection? Do you want to schmooze with your professional heroes, who have corralled such material into gripping books, films, and radio documentaries?
Feb
28
The Money Trail
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
HOW magazine’s “biennial salary survey serves up some good news for in-house [graphic] designers: their paychecks and perks are on the rise. But salaries for many creative professionals in 2006 barely kept pace with inflation. The findings in our Design Salary Report are a mixed bag: They reflect modest growth in salaries and benefits for creative professionals compared to 2004, but in many parts of the country the cost of living is outpacing designers’ paychecks. If you’re wondering how your own compensation stacks up, visit HOWdesign.com to download a PDF of the latest salary survey.”
Feb
28
15th Annual Writer’s Digest Int’l Self-Published Book Awards
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| May 1, 2007 |
“CALL FOR ENTRIES
MORE THAN $15,000 IN PRIZES!
“Win $3,000 in cash
Gain national exposure for your book
Catch the attention of prospective editors and publishers
“Writer’s Digest is searching for the best self-published books of the past few years. Whether you’re a professional writer, part-time freelancer, or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the only competition exclusively for self-published books.
“THE CATEGORIES:
- Mainstream/Literary Fiction
- Genre Fiction
- Nonfiction
- Inspirational (Spiritual, New Age)
- Life Stories (Biographies, Autobiographies, Family Histories, Memoirs)
- Children’s Picture books
- Middle-Grade/Young Adult books
Feb
28
Writing Retreat in the South of France
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| September 15, 2007 10:00 pm | to | September 21, 2007 10:00 pm |
September 15 – 21, 2007
From Laura Deutsch: Join us as we explore the unspoiled countryside in the Languedoc region of southwest France. Our excursions to local markets, medieval towns and charming villages will provide great material for writers of all genres and offer a rare opportunity for those who would like to write about travel, food or history. We’ll stay at a beautiful 1860s home, with spacious, high-ceilinged rooms. Our hosts are delightful and the food is delicious. The workshop includes classes, side trips, and time to write and relax by the pool. This will be a memorable experience!
The house has seven double bedrooms, a large living-dining area, a library, a private garden and pool. The price includes:
Feb
28
Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
by Constance Hale
Feb
28
Travel Classics Europe 2007
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| May 17, 2007 |
Thanks to Karen Misuraca for sending this info: Heads Up Travel Writers! Dates and location of Travel Classics Europe 2007 have been released. TC conferences sell out months ahead.Travel Classics Europe 2007
May 17-20
Galway, Ireland
at the glam new g Hotel
(Conde Nast Traveller says it’s one of the best new hotels in the world)
More information here
Registration begins Dec 1, 2006
Aer Lingus offers media rates
Tourism Ireland offers extensive pre- and post tours
Feb
28
Thereby Hangs a Tale
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| March 15, 2007 |
Thereby Hangs a Tale is currently accepting submissions for its third print issue, due out in Fall 2007. Each issue of Thereby Hangs a Tale revolves around a word and the stories that word inspires. For this issue, the theme is STOLEN. The deadline is March 15, 2007. Visit the website for details.
Feb
28
76th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| May 15, 2007 |
“GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 cash and a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents. Writer’s Digest will fly you and a guest to The Big Apple, where you’ll spend three days and two nights in the publishing capital of the world. While you’re there … (etc.)
“Compete to Win in 10 Categories:
- Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
- Memoirs/Personal Essay
- Magazine Feature Article
- Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
- Mainstream/Literary Short Story
- Rhyming Poetry
- Non-rhyming Poetry
- Stage Play
- Television/Movie Script
- Children’s/Young Adult Fiction
Feb
28
Greenwald in Iran
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Hear Jeff Greenwald tell his story about being the lone American in a vast Iranian crowd gathered to watch a solar eclipse, and what happens to him when an aggressive anti-American demonstration erupts. This and other stories are archived by Tales from Earth on KUSF.
Feb
28
WWW Literary Salon at the Monticello Inn
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| February 28, 2007 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
The Wild Writing Women Literary Salon is held each first Wednesday of the month at San Francisco’s Monticello Inn starting at 5:30 p.m. (ending at 7:00 p.m.). The event is free and open to the public. Located just off Union Square, there’s parking across the street.
Host: Suzanne LaFetra
Guest: Mark Trautwein
Topic: How to get a great 2 minute Perspectives on the air at KQED
After a career in journalism and government, Mark Trautwein landed at KQED, San Francisco’s public radio station. Join the Wild Writing Women and Mark for a conversation about life in public radio, and how to get a great 2 minute Perspectives — the station’s public affairs commentary series — on air.
Feb
28
Book Treasure House
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Book Treasure House is a website that provides authors with a web presence, exposure, PR services, and a place to sell their books. It’s a good idea … but unfortunately the web design makes the whole operation look amateurish.
Feb
28
Kalpana Mohan
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Kalpana Mohan writes on topics ranging from travel and the business of technology to parenting and ethnic issues in her Indian community — in national and regional publications like Better Homes and Gardens, Woman’s Day, Business Week Online, FamilyFun Magazine and the San Jose Mercury News.
Feb
28
Dixie Belle Cruise Ship
February 28, 2007 | 2 Comments
Testing image upload process with this shot of the Dixie Belle.
Feb
28
Beach Impeach videos
February 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment
What’s the connection between travel writing and the Beach Impeach project? Let’s see: freedom to travel, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech … not to mention human decency. Here’s a link to a powerful Beach Impeach video, Run to the Rock, by Jamie Cavenaugh, which YouTube yanked because of “inappropriate” content. What’s inappropriate about it? Well, it shows what’s happening in Iraq, that’s what.
Here’s Impeach on the Beach, shot by thirteen-year-old Sam Rubin. This one is on YouTube.
The movement for impeachment has mushroomed; there are a lot of YouTube entries. Here are a few more:
Feb
4
Wine writing
February 4, 2007 | Comments Off
Thanks to Karen Misuraca for sending this information about the third annual Wine Writers Symposium. “Ten top wine writers, editors and writing coaches will meet from February 20 through 23, 2007, at Meadowood Napa Valley in St. Helena to exchange ideas on contemporary wine writing. Their audience and colleagues for the four-day conference will be published editorial wine, wine/food and wine/travel writers and editors from around the country.More…”Speakers for 2007 will be Antonia Allegra, Eric Asimov, Michael Bauer, Dan Berger, Anthony Dias Blue, Don Fry, Elin McCoy, Karen MacNeil, Charles Reidelbach, Jerry Shriver, Alder Yarrow and Steven Spurrier.
Jan
24
Call for Submissions: A Woman’s World, Again!
January 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| February 15, 2007 |
From Travelers’ Tales: It’s time to follow up our groundbreaking book, A Woman’s World, edited by Marybeth Bond and originally published in 1995, with a new volume of all new stories. Send us your adventurous, mystical, funny, poignant, food-related, cross-cultural, and transformational true stories of world travel.
Deadline for submission: February 15, 2007
Est. Release Date: October 2007
Jan
24
TRAVEL WRITING: Map Out the Route to Your Dream Profession
January 24, 2007 | Leave a Comment
| February 24, 2007 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
Lisa Alpine is teaching at the San Francisco Writing Salon
February 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Do you love to travel? Keep a travel journal? Why not take the next step and turn your daily scribbles into salable articles? You can do this by learning two things: 1) how to improve your storytelling abilities, and 2) how to market your work. “I’ll lead you through the steps of writing a travel story and then targeting and querying your markets [short story anthologies, newspapers, magazines and ezines],” says instructor Lisa Alpine. “We’ll also discuss ways to generate other travel-related sources of income, such as writing press releases and doing guidebook research. Whether you’re writing about your neighborhood or rafting down the Zambezi, you can develop specialty travel angles that open up publishing avenues beyond the Sunday Travel Section — and still pay well.” So come launch your career as a travel writer!
workshop fee: $95 (Port Townsend & San Francisco) $75 (Big Island)