Dec

29

Web Writing Guidelines

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Thanks to April Orcutt for this link to the SUNY/OSWEGO guide to writing for the web, which says, among other things, that hyperlinks like the preceding one should be “phrased,” because they’re easier for skimmers to spot than one-word links.

Dec

29

SATW Institute for Travel Writing & Photography

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

January 25, 2008toJanuary 27, 2008

Eminent Guidebook Writer Joins Faculty at 13th Annual SATW Institute for Travel Writing & Photography

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Institute for Travel Writing & Photography, one of the longest established courses in travel writing and photography in the nation, will hold its 13th annual session January 25-27, 2008, in Orlando, Florida.The Institute (ITWAP) provides 15 hours of instruction for writers, experienced travelers and others considering careers in print and online article writing, guidebook work and travel photography. A registration fee of $345 covers course materials, all meals, breaks and social events. Host hotel is the Courtyard at Lake Lucerne, a historic inn in downtown Orlando. Rooms are $99 per night (www.orlandohistoricinn.com).

Read the full post . . .

Dec

29

Innovative Cultural and Philanthropic Travel

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“If you have been wondering how you can make a difference and ‘give back’ while you travel and explore this extraordinary world of ours, this is your chance. Your grace, interest, and generosity as a traveler will impact the lives and the future of the people you meet. Don’t miss the opportunity—come along on a life-changing experience with The Cultural Explorer. Call us at 415-387-1335.”

Check out the Making a Difference trips, special two-week, hands-on tours that give you the opportunity to get involved and make a difference while you explore and learn about South Africa.

Read the full post . . .

Dec

29

Kathleen McLung offers classes

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Kathleen McLung will be teaching a five-week Intro to Memoir class and a one-day Writing as Healing class at The Writing Salon in San Francisco in February/March. The complete schedule, is here. Kathleen is an exceptional writer, and I expect her classes to be equally exceptional.

“Memoir is not reserved only for the rich and famous. In fact, beautiful and haunting memoirs—books and essays—grow out of our ordinary lives, carefully observed.”

Dec

29

Galapagos

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Here’s a link to Sailing Toward Paradise, a New York Times article by Matthew Power, contributing editor at Harper’s Magazine and National Geographic Adventure. “Thousands visit the otherworldly Galápagos each year, but few do it the way Charles Darwin did more than a century ago—approaching from the vast Pacific on a boat powered by the wind.”

Dec

29

Chicktionary

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Thanks to Connie Gutowsky for sending this link to a Scrabble-like game called Chicktionary, in which seven hens cluck appreciatively each time you spell a word made from the letters they provide. It’s addicting.

Dec

29

Classes for 2008

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Have you made your New Years’ Resolutions yet? There’s still time to get into the Writing Salon’s 2008 classes, and the January lineup includes these tantalizing topics:

  • Show a Lot, Tell a Little
  • Intro to Fiction
  • Fiction Workshop (SF)
  • Fiction Workshop (Berkeley)
  • Personal Essays Workshop
  • Intro to Creative Writing
  • Screenwriting Workshop
  • Writing Salon Round Robin
  • Intro to Magazine Writing
  • Explore Your Writer’s Voice
  • The Truth about Poetry
  • Self-Publishing Workshop
  • Writing the Surreal

Dec

29

Congratulations to Kay Grant

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) has announced the winners of its 15th annual awards contest for pieces published in 2007. More than 500 entries were received by NATJA, and Kay Grant won three awards:

  • First place, Destination Travel Domestic (Magazine) — “LA’s Two Getty Museums” in Valley Life Quarterly
  • Runner Up, Personality Profile — “Working Undercover” in New Mexico Magazine
  • Honorable Mention, Leisure Activity — “Girlfriends Getaways” in Valley Life Quarterly

Dec

29

Congratulations to Jacqueline Harmon Butler

December 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Jacqueline Harmon Butler won the prestigious North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) Press Award for Journalism, Runner Up Award for Best Travel Article Written for Internet, for her story: “Sardine Heaven—Feast of St. Anthony.”

Butler’s story has appeared on a variety of web zines. You can access it on her website. She has received a variety of awards including the 2003 Golden Linchetto Prize for the best foreign journalist with published articles about Lucca, Italy, and the 2002 international press award for journalism, I, Leonardo Award; A Few Words About Sicily.

Read the full post . . .

Dec

28

Under Sail in the Western Mediterranean Travel Journal

December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Here’s my personal illustrated travel journal from the October, 2006, voyage across the western Mediterranean to Sicily, Malta, Tunisia, Mallorca, and Spain aboard the elegant tallship Sea Cloud. The trip was sponsored by Smithsonian Journeys and American Museum of Natural History Expeditions.

You can print it our yourself, or order a professionally-bound copy (lulu.com) here.

Printed: 68 pages, 8.5″ x 11″, perfect binding, white interior paper (80# weight), full-color interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-color exterior ink

Download: 1 document, 517567 KB

Dec

28

The Dalmatian Coast Travel Journal

December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Here’s my travel journal from a 2007 Dalmatian Coast cruise. This was a High Country Passage World Leaders Symposium; lecturers included Secretary Madeleine Albright, William Perry (former U.S. Secretary of Defense), Peter Galbraith (former ambassador to Croatia), and others. We learned about balkanization in a series of more than twenty lectures by people who were directly involved during the balkanization of the former Yugoslavia. Lots of photos, some lecture notes.

You can print out your own copy, or order a professionally-bound (lulu.com) copy here.

Printed: 128 pages, 8.5″ x 11″, perfect binding, white interior paper (80# weight), full-color interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-color exterior ink

Read the full post . . .

Dec

28

North Africa Travel Journal

December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Check out this travel journal from the 2007 High Country Passage cruise from Malta to the north coast of Africa—Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. It includes photos of spectacular Libyan archaeological sites including Leptis Magna, Cyrene, Sabratha, and Apollonia. There are also some good shots of local Libyans we met at Cyrene, ancient mosaics, the new Bibliotheca in Alexandria, and the Sphinx and Great Pyramid. Study leaders were Dr. John Swanson (University of Cairo) and Dr. Ian Tattersall (the American Museum of Natural History). Some lecture notes included.

You can download and print on your own printer, or order a professionally-bound (lulu.com) copy here

Read the full post . . .

Dec

28

County Cork Travel Journal

December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Check out this print-on-demand travel journal from a summer 2007 trip, in which a dozen travel writers convened in County Cork, Ireland and wrote about their experiences for the Travelers’ Tales anthology, Venturing in Ireland.

You’ll enjoy photos of the Irish countryside and County Cork landmarks, get a behind-the-scenes look at our adventure, and get to know the writers, who came from the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Washington, DC, and New Orleans, as well as from the SF Bay Area.

Download the journal onto your own computer or order a professionally-bound copy from (lulu.com) here.

Read the full post . . .

Dec

28

Venturing in Ireland

December 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Venturing in IrelandThe Travelers’ Tales anthology, Venturing in Ireland: Quest for the Modern Celtic Soul was released in December, 2007. It includes two of my stories, along with those of fourteen other travel writers and Desmond O’Grady, one of Ireland’s greatest living poets.

“These writers have wonderful stories to tell. I am proud they chose my homeland for their unique gathering and even prouder that the resulting book demonstrates the power of place in inspiring imaginations and nurturing creative souls.”
-Maureen Wheeler, Lonely Planet Publications

Read the full post . . .

Dec

21

Small Publishers Association of North America

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“As a nonprofit trade association, SPAN is dedicated to advancing the interests and expertise of independent publishers and authors through educational opportunities and discounted services. Publishing is a business, and we strive to help our members flourish in this competitive market. A SPAN membership can bring publishers increased visibility, more sales, and larger profits.”

Dec

21

California Newspaper Publishers Association

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“The California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the daily and weekly newspapers of California. The Association is governed by a 35-member Board of Directors elected by Active Member newspapers.”

Dec

21

The Authors Guild

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Authors Guild, a society of published authors, is an advocate for fair compensation, free speech and copyright protection. Member benefits include contract advice, advocacy, legal services, access to health insurance (in NY, MA, FL), and a newsletter.

Dec

21

PMA, The Independent Book Publishers Association

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Independent Book Publishers Association “Helping each other to achieve and succeed!”"The largest non-profit trade association representing independent publishers.”

Dec

21

National Press Photographers Association

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“Founded in 1946, The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) continues to attract the best in news photography, video and multimedia. It is this professional diversity that sets the NPPA apart from other organizations. As a member, you will have the opportunity to be part of an organization renowned for its expertise, ethics, and ideals as well as an organization dedicated to advancing this profession into the rapidly changing 21st century.”Your NPPA Membership will give you the opportunity to meet, network with, and learn from many of the top visual journalists in the field today. It will also afford you access to exclusive, career aiding benefits and publications shared by 9,000 members worldwide. The field of visual journalism is changing. So are we, and we invite you to join us in helping to shape the future of our profession.”

Dec

21

North American Nature Photography Association

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) “is the first and only association in North America committed solely to serving the field of nature photography.”

Dec

21

Travel Journalists Guild

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Travel Journalists Guild “is a group of award-winning travel journalists with proven track records who will produce articles and images telling the world what’s so special about your corner of the earth. Destinations are our business. Let us tell the world about yours.”

Dec

21

Media Bistro / Avant Guild

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

AvantGuild is Media Bistro’s “premium membership association, perfect for anyone who works with media content.” Benefits include:

  • Discounted LexisNexis access
  • How to Pitch articles
  • Mastheads Database
  • Freelance Marketplace discount
  • Pitching an Agent articles
  • Editorial Calendar Guide
  • HR Qs, Revolving Door & Salary Survey
  • Courses, eClasses & seminars discount
  • Transcripts from seminars & panel discussions
  • Resume Revamp discounts
  • Resume Upload & Personal Home Page
  • Health insurance
  • Free e-mail (you@AvantGuild.com)
  • Financial planning services
  • Tax services discount
  • Psychotherapy discounts

Dec

21

National Writers Union

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“The National Writers Union is the trade union for freelance and contract writers: journalists, book authors, business and technical writers, web content providers, and poets. With the combined strength of nearly 2,000 members in 16 chapters nationwide, and with the support of the United Automobile Workers (UAW), the Union works to defend the rights and improve the economic and working conditions of all writers.” member benefits include contract advice, a job hotline, a press pass, and access to group health insurance.

Dec

21

Outdoor Writers Association of California

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) “provides members two major conferences a year; a quarterly newsletter with tips, tools and editorial leads; a membership press card, directory, and Web site listing; and opportunities to network with top outdoor journalists, photographers and supporting members. If you are involved in spreading the word about the outdoors and/or travel opportunities as a writer, book author, photographer, radio and/or television broadcaster, Web editor/writer, or as a public speaker, OWAC is the organization to join to share with others your appreciation and enthusiasm for outdoor recreation.”

Dec

21

American Society of Journalists and Authors

December 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

The American Society of Journalists and Authors “helps professional freelance writers advance their writing careers. Members share candid data on writing rates, publishing contracts, editors, agents and more. Non-members benefit from our Contracts Watch newsletter, annual writers conference and writing resources. Editors and others can search our membership to hire experienced authors and journalists.” Membership benefits include access to group health insurance.

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