Feb
26
Travel writers: get a free review of your work
February 26, 2009 | 1 Comment
From Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding, posted by Alison Brick:
It’s not often that you get an offer like this: a free review of your travel writing, by a respected travel writer. But that’s what Mark Hodson is offering Vagablogging readers … [follow link for the rest of the post.]
Feb
26
Flip Video
February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Flip Video Cam
Maybe it’s premature, but I’m flipping for the Flip video camera. Just bought the $150 version a few days ago, then got a notice today from Amazon.com that the $129 version is on sale for $69.99.
It’s small, easy to use (although limited in capability), produces high-quality images … and the built-in USB port makes it easy to upload images. Limited editing capabilities are built in.
For more info, check out the website.
Feb
26
Writers Workshops International
February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Venturing in Ireland: Quest for the Modern Celtic Soul
Writers Workshops International, organized by Barbara Euser and Connie Burke, is off to Northern Ireland in 2009. Dates are June 14-21, and I’ve heard the itinerary is a good one. I participated in this last year (Venturing in Italy) and the year before (Venturing in Ireland), had a great time, and learned a lot from instructors Linda Watanabe McFerrin and Joanna Biggar.
Feb
26
Pogue + Kindle
February 26, 2009 | 1 Comment
Here’s the New York Times’ David Pogue, loving Amazon’s Kindle. “…the new Kindle edges even closer to the ideal of an e-book reader. The reading experience is immersive, natural and pleasant; the book catalog, while not yet complete, is growing and delivered instantaneously; and apart from the clicky keyboard (an unnecessary appendage 99.9 percent of the time), the design feels right. If the Kindle’s popularity keeps growing, then it may be remembered as the spark that finally ignites mainstream e-books. Someday, other gadgets may even be described as ‘Kindleizing’ their fields.”
Feb
26
No Snickering: That Road Sign Means Something Else
February 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Snicker-worthy road signs in the New York Times:
CRAPSTONE, England – When ordering things by telephone, Stewart Pearce tends to take a proactive approach to the inevitable question “What is your address?”
He lays it out straight, so there is no room for unpleasant confusion. “I say, ‘It’s spelled “crap,” as in crap,’ ” said Mr. Pearce, 61, who has lived in Crapstone, a one-shop country village in Devon, for decades.
Disappointingly, Mr. Pearce has so far been unable to parlay such delicate encounters into material gain, as a neighbor once did… [follow link for rest of article]
Feb
23
Reflections on the Abiding Importance of Travel, Even in Uncertain Times
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
January 25, 2009
From Don George at The Adventure Collection:
“Even when the world is unsettled, travel is too important to put on hold. The stakes, both personal and global, are too high. Personally, there is nothing like travel to renew us, grace us with knowledge and perspective, and forge ties that bind around the world. Globally, there are so many countries, cultures and economies that depend on travel — not just economically but artistically, philosophically – that to stop travelling is to abandon them to almost inevitable disruption and degeneration. Read more…
Feb
23
GoPhilanthropic – Sustainable Travel Empowers Communities
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
January 26, 2009 Press Release:
GO Philanthropic enters 2009 with a host of new travel programs aimed at providing support for the empowerment of communities worldwide and the protection of heritage and environment. The socially-conscious travel company embraces the combination of Travel Philanthropy, Geotourism and Sustainable Travel, coupling Vacations and In-depth Educational Tours with support for social and conservation projects worldwide.
Feb
23
Travel to Cuba!
February 23, 2009 | 2 Comments
From Christopher Baker on February 9, 2009:
Dear friends,
Last week a bipartisan bill (H.R. 874) was introduced into Congress that would lift travel restrictions to Cuba for all U.S. citizens and residents.
You can read all about this landmark legislation at my blog: www.moon.com/blogs/cuba-costa-rica/freedom-travel-cuba-bill-introduced-congress
Meanwhile, I urge everyone to take individual action by asking your congressional representative to co-sponsor the bill. It’s simple to do and will take less than one minute of your time. Click here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/625/t/1707/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=539
Let’s seize the moment together!
Christopher P. Baker
Lowell Thomas Award 2008 “Travel Journalist of the Year”
Feb
23
Travel Writing Boot Camps
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From Alison at V!VA Travel Guides:
“V!VA Travel Guides invites talented and enthusiastic writers to apply for its 2009 Travel Writing Boot Camps.
“The V!VA Boot Camp is a weeklong crash course in which students will gain valuable insight into the world of travel guidebook writing through instruction from seasoned professionals. Attendees will find out what editors want, learn how to work with multimedia outlets and improve writing skills through daily critiques. Students may also have the opportunity to stay “on assignment” in the host country after the course.
“Find out what you need to know to travel, get published and get paid!
Feb
23
Nature Travel
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Here’s a blog about nature travel; looks interesting.
“Welcome to the world of nature travel. I’ve been traveling for over 2 decades to some of the world’s best wildlife- watching destinations and I’d like to share some of the travel tips and experiences I’ve come across. I work with small communities and conservation groups as they develop wildlife viewing opportunities and community-based destinations for tourists. I hear some great stories and create a few of my own and I’d like to share them with you.”
Feb
23
Turn it all off on March 28, 2009!
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| March 28, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Earth Hour is on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m
Thanks to Karen Misuraca for forwarding this information:
“Hotels, Tourist Attractions, 1,000 cities and a billion people will turn off the lights “on March 28.
“Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are one of the hospitality companies who will participate in Earth Hour 2009, a global environmental awareness event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). On Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., millions of people, business and government entities, and all 56 of Fairmont’s hotels and resorts from Dallas to Dubai, will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to draw attention to the world’s most pressing environmental issue: climate change.
Feb
23
Reinventure: How Travel Can Change Your Life
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
“Reinventure: How Travel Can Change Your Life is a collection of stories of how travel has transformed people and the communities where they live. Some are earth-shattering epiphanies, some are just gentle adjustments. They’ll make you laugh, cry, think or just shake your head in wonder. Author, lecturer, traveller Carol Patterson has gathered some of her favorite travel stories, hers and others, to show that no one comes home the same.”
Feb
23
Share a Tip, Win a Trip
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| April 1, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From American Airlines:
“Share a Tip, Win a Trip. Time for another Milestones sweepstakes and this year there are even more cities to share about and even more miles to win! One first-place winner will fly away with 275,000 AAdvantage® miles — that’s enough for two people to fly First Class to practically any American Airlines destination worldwide — and 10 second-place winners will pick up 1,000 AAdvantage miles each. Plus the more tips you share the more likely you are to win. Winners will be announced on or around May 15, 2009 so check back soon! What are you waiting for?”
Feb
23
Laura Read
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Congratulations to Laura Read on launching her new website, ReadWriteShoot. Click on over and have a look; it’s beautiful!
Feb
23
What’s Up Down Under
February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment
My newest blog is What’s Up Down Under, a site about Australia. Most of the content is notes, stories, and photos from the year I lived and worked in Melbourne. In addition to information about my favorite things to do and see in Victoria, I cover a little of Queensland, the Red Center, and the Northern Territory.
Laurie McAndish King
Feb
10
Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| April 3, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW):
It’s time to start thinking about your entries for the 25th Annual SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition.
We have just posted all the information and the entry form on our Web site, www.satwf.com. The deadline is April 3, 2009
Feb
10
Unforgettable Valentine’s Day Gift
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I could have titled this post Shameless Self-Promotion, because it’s about my first book, An Erotic Alphabet. This slim volume of ABC’s for adults celebrates eroticism in all its forms, from silly to sensual, playful to X-rated.
It’s a delightful combination (if I may say so) of naughtiness and humor; one reviewer called me “the Shel Silverstein of erotica.” Here’s a sample:
Z is for the zipper
Easy access, up and down.
Nothing is much quicker
For getting to the mound.
Feb
10
Ecotrotters
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Ecotrotters.com “where ecology meets travel” targets eco travelers. “Our ECO community includes a photo section where users may upload their personal photo album with pictures from their trips, hotels, countries, and daily lives and comment on each other’s photos and hotels.” Articles include How to offset carbon emissions for travel and living and Is your ecohotel really green? How to tell.
Feb
10
Raphael Kadushin reads from Big Trips
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| February 16, 2009 | ||
| 7:30 pm |
Thanks to April Orcutt for forwarding this notice from a friend:
Raphael Kadushin will be reading from his book, Big Trips, Monday, February 16 at 7:30 PM. Raphael is a wonderful writer. He and I have worked together on many stories for National Geographic Traveler all over the world. I think Raphael is very amusing.
Feb
10
Call Mr. Robeson
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Thanks to Carol Canter for sending this note about a terrific upcoming performance:
Tayo Aluko, a Nigerian actor/architect/singer based in Liverpool, will be performing two plays as described below. Jack and I have seen Call Mr. Robeson twice last year when we first met Tayo. His performance is extraordinary, and we strongly encourage you to come. Those of you who are educators, please spread the word at school. February is Black History Month and this play is a dramatic eye-opener for students, as well as adults.
Feb
10
8 Ways that Twitter can Grow your Freelance Business
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
After reading this article titled 8 Ways that Twitter can Grow your Freelance Business I’ve started Twittering. Intermittantly. (My Twitter name is LaurieKing; follow me if you can.)
Feb
10
‘Marco Polo Didn’t Go There’ By Rolf Potts
February 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Washington Post review of Rolf Potts’ Marco Polo Didn’t Go There: TARGET AUDIENCE: People who like to look under the hood of a good book. Potts, Internet raconteur and travel-advice sage, is the kind of guy you wish the pubs had more of: well traveled, generous with funny stories, eager to listen to yours. You feel envious that you weren’t with him in Cairo to share the convivial squalor of a backpacker hotel, or at an Indian ashram to study Tantric sex, or even in the Libyan Desert, in the dark, out of water and lost. And he’s able to draw insights from all that without draining the fun out of the conversation — difficult to carry off in a pub or a book. Although Potts’s book combines adventure travel narratives with travel-writer inside baseball, he wisely slips the didactic bits into optional endnotes. It would be a shame to skip them, however, as his explanations for why he did or wrote something often are compelling in themselves. Hey, with luck, we could get drugged and robbed in Istanbul, too. – Jerry V. Haines
Feb
10
Gold Rush Writers Conference
February 10, 2009 | 2 Comments
| May 1, 2008 12:00 pm | to | May 3, 2008 12:00 pm |
From our friends at the Gold Rush Writers Conference:
The fourth annual Gold Rush Writers Conference is scheduled for May 1, 2, and 3 at the historic Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill.
The conference, founded by best-selling biographer and novelist Antoinette May, features nine critically aclaimed writers offering a weekend of workshops, panels, readings and specialty lectures covering every aspect of the writer’s life.
This year’s headliner is Al Young, who has just completed his stint as Poet Laureate of California.Â
Feb
2
Expatriate Writing Contest
February 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| February 15, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Thanks to Eva Schlesinger for forwarding this information from Transitions Abroad:
Guidelines for the 2009 Expatriate Writing Contest
TransitionsAbroad.com invites you to enter its 2009 Expatriate Travel Writing Contest, for which all entries must be received by February 15, 2009.
Professionals, freelancers and aspiring writers are invited to write articles which describe their experience living abroad. Often your experience abroad may be extended by working or studying in the host country, so living, working, and studying abroad are often inextricable, and we are interested in these aspects as well.
Dec
6
The Essence of Travel Writing
December 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| February 11, 2009 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Michael Shapiro is teaching a six-week travel writing workshop as part of the Skywriters Series this winter in San Francisco. Classes meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on six successive Wednesday nights and class size is limited to eight people, $595. Follow the link for more details or to sign up.
The Essence of Travel Writing: Feb. 11 – March 18, 2009
Michael Shapiro, a contributor to National Geographic Traveler and author of A Sense of Place, offers an in-depth course in the art of the travel story. Shapiro will discuss the elements of a successful, modern travel story: connections with local people, dialogue, and anecdotes that show rather than tell.