Apr
30
Apture: Super Links
April 30, 2009 | 3 Comments
Thanks to Cheryl McLaughlin for this link to a demo video on Scobleizer.com to a way-cool service (free to small-time bloggers) called Apture, which “makes it easy to add contextual images, videos, reference guides, links, maps, music, news, documents and books to your blog to create a connected media experience that keeps readers engaged on your site.”
By the way, I can’t think of a better way to get up to speed on “new media” than by picking Cheryl’s brain.
Apr
30
Getting Eyes for Your Blog, Book or Website: The 1-Day Intensive for Authors, Publishers, and Publicists
April 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| May 23, 2009 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
Speaking of Cheryl McLaughlin and new media, if you’re ready to move forward using new media and social networking tools and resources, I can’t think of a better next step than taking Cheryl’s class: Getting Eyes for Your Blog, Book or Website: The 1-Day Intensive for Authors, Publishers, and Publicists.
Here’s the rundown:
You have a blog or a website. Now what? How do you get people to know about it, become a fan and sell more books and other products?
Apr
29
Travel Writing Workshop in Mendoza, Argentina with Camille Cusumano
April 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
“There’s no more inspiring way to practice travel writing than to immerse yourself in a foreign culture. You find yourself crafting image-rich journal entries or lyrical postcards and emails. But how do you fashion prose with style and substance — that give your words broader appeal, longer shelf life, and publishing opportunities?”
Join travel writer and editor Camille Cusumano, who will lead a travel writing workshop in Mendoza, Argentina, from July 25 to August 1, 2009.
Program Cost: $1,495.00 U.S., double occupancy; $350.00 U.S. single supplement. (Fee covers lodging, tuition and excursions, most lunches and some dinners, but not airfare).
Apr
29
Polldaddy
April 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Polldaddy.com is a free service that lets you create and administer polls and surveys by embedding them into a post or article. Sounds like a useful tool for people who want to develop online communities. You can change the appearance of the poll, integrate the poll into your Wordpress blog (I didn’t use the Wordpress-specific function here), include images and video in your poll, subscribe to the results of the poll in an RSS feed, set survey response paths using conditional branching, create custom start and finish pages, and more.
To see how it works, answer this poll:
Apr
20
Kayak and SideStep
April 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From Kayak and Sidestep:
A little while ago, two companies independently created a new way for you to shop for travel products: visit one web site that would search all the others, then buy from whatever web site you want. You, the traveling public, liked this idea, and both Kayak and SideStep have become very popular.
Apr
20
Airfare Watchdog
April 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Airfare Watchdog is another site that lets you sign up to receive emailed information about air fares.
“The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them. Our team of fare experts tells you about these “hidden” fare reductions and alert you to $0 “blooper” fares and other air fare bargains that you might otherwise miss. And we provide straight talk about finding low air fares on the Web. Airfarewatchdog.com is the only fare listing site that shows fares on all airlines, even Southwest.”
Apr
19
Jak Wonderly and SmugMug
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Thanks to Laurie Weed for this link to local photographer Jak Wonderly’s website. Check it out for some beautiful animal shots, as well as to see the SmugMug photo gallery hosting format.
Apr
19
Health Insurance for Self-Employed or Small Businesses
April 19, 2009 | 2 Comments
Looking for health insurance? Kaiser offers small business plans (no “pre-existing conditions” issues) for companies of two people or more. So, theoretically, two self-employed individuals could create a company of two partners (no employees needed) and qualify as a small business.
I’ve been investigating health insurance plans recently, and have heard good things about Kaiser from multiple sources. Thanks to Laurie Weed for this link. Now I just need to determine which would work best: a straight copay plan, a copay with deductible, an HSA, HRA, PPO, PPO with HSA, point-of-service … or some other plan configuration.
Apr
19
Bay Area Travel Writers
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I’m thrilled to announce that the Bay Area Travel Writers newsletter is now live as an online e-zine. April Orcutt, who has contributed to Travel Writers News many times, is doing an excellent job of editing it.
One reason I’m thrilled is because the newsletter contains lots of useful tips and information for travel writers; the other reason is because I worked very hard to get the online newsletter up and running, and now that it’s working I’ll have a life again. In addition to April, Diane LeBow, Marc Longwood, and Bradley Charbonneau all contributed many hours to the site development.
Apr
19
Writing Retreat in Italy with Laura Deutsch
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| September 25, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
September 25 – October 2, 2009
Optional extension for Arezzo Antique Fair, October 2 – 5
Join nationally published writer Laura Deutsch for a week of writing and traveling in Tuscany and Umbria. Medieval hill towns, Renaissance art, peaceful landscapes and lively markets will provide great material and inspiration for writers of all genres. Accommodations in lovely studio apartments, each with private bath and kitchen.
For more information, go to lauradeutsch.com and click on Writing Retreats in Italy. To register, contact Laura at 415.388.0900 or info@lauradeutsch.com.
While you’re on her website, be sure to check out Laura’s other writing classes.
Apr
19
Guilt-Free Getaways
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From the New York Times:
SURE, you’d like to take a vacation. But with layoffs hitting your best friends and your own company hinting at pay cuts, how can you justify it?
Consider the guilt-free vacation. To counter customers’ reluctance about jetting off for conspicuous consumption during a recession, travel companies are pushing trips that emphasize service, values and personal fulfillment. The message: If there is more involved than frivolous pleasure, you don’t have to feel bad about dropping all that cash on a splashy vacation
Apr
19
Reading Group on Latin America
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| April 26, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From the sensual sway of Cuba to the vibrancy of Mexico and the Hispanic experience in America, the literature of Latin Americans and Hispanics chronicles revolutions and romance like nobody else. Led by Maria Finn, this reading group at Book Passage will discuss contemporary Latin American and Latino authors and themes such as how the political is related with the personal, the complications of sex and love, as well as cultural identity.
Apr
19
Food and Wine Course in Argentina
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Maria Finn is planning a course on food and wine writing that will be held in Mendoza, Argentina in November, 2009 at the Posada de Rosas. Participants will visit vineyards and meet winemakers, have barrel tastings as well learn how to make an asada, or traditional Argentinean barbeque along with other cooking classes and culinary adventures. Maria is still working on the details for this trip, but please let her know if you might be interested and she will keep you updated as plans solidify. Here’s a travel article Maria recently wrote about Mendoza.
Apr
19
Feature Writing with Maria Finn
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| May 30, 2009 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
Have you ever met a fascinating person you’d like to write about? Ever wanted to write articles about art, culture, food, or travel? Feature writing might be the niche for you. In this class we will find unique angles on your subject, craft a query letter, research topics, develop interview techniques, and write a draft and then a polished article. Maria Finn writes for Saveur, The New York Times, Metropolis, The Los Angeles Times, ABC.com, Forbes FYI, Forbes Traveler, and Audubon Magazine. She has compiled and edited two literary travel anthologies, Cuba in Mind (Vintage 2004) and Mexico in Mind (Vintage 2006). Her memoir Embraceable Me: Lessons in Heartbreak, Desire and the Argentine Tango is forthcoming from Algonquin Books in autumn 2009, and she is working on a book about growing edibles for Rizzoli Books to be published in 2010.
Apr
19
Travel to Cuba?
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The big push is on to lift travel restrictions to Cuba. See travel writer Christopher Baker’s blog about Cuba (and Costa Rica) and hear his recent comments about travel to Cuba on an ABC Newschannel interview.
Apr
17
Yapta
April 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I haven’t used Yapta airfare and hotel price tracking, but it sure looks good. Here’s what they say about their service:
Yapta is intended to help you get a handle on fluctuating travel prices so that you know when to “buy low.” Yapta conducts daily price checks on the specific flights and hotels that you choose, and alerts you when prices drop or when they fall within your budget. Yapta also alerts you when you can use your frequent flier miles to book award seats on the flights of your choice.
Apr
13
Your Voice on Offshore Drilling
April 13, 2009 | 1 Comment
| April 16, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 am |
Thanks to April Orcutt for forwarding this message from the Sierra Club, plus links for more information.
General Info Speaking Guidelines
Dear Concerned Citizens,
Speak Up Now to Save Our Coasts!
Now is your chance to send a clear message that America needs clean energy, not more risky offshore oil drilling.
This Thursday, April 16, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will hold a public hearing in San Francisco to find out how Americans feel about the expanded offshore drilling the oil industry is pushing for. Secretary Salazar needs to see that what Americans really want is clean energy and the jobs that come with it — not more dirty offshore drilling. The most important thing you can do is show up at the hearing and make your voice heard.
Apr
13
Writing Workshop in Turkey with Larry Habegger
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| June 12, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Learn how to craft a travel article, write a memoir, and publish your book.
Two 7-day Intensive Workshops
September 12-19 & 19-26, 2009
Turkey, aboard a Turkish yacht!
Registration Deadline: June 1, 2009
Class Size: 10 Participants
Info: http://www.larryhabegger.com/teaching/
Heads up writers! It’s that time of year to reserve your spot for the popular September Writing Workshop on the Turkish coastline led by Larry Habegger, Executive Editor of Travelers’ Tales and organized by Robin Sparks. These workshops, limited to 10 participants, have been so popular that Larry and Robin have scheduled two sessions to meet the demand. Don’t miss the experience of a lifetime to get your writer on while partaking in one of the most beautiful, luxurious, relaxing experiences in the world. There is nothing like a Blue Voyage on the Turkish Coastline aboard a hand built Turkish yacht! What will you learn?
Apr
13
The Plot Thickens
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| May 9, 2009 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
Creative non-fiction (travel writing) as well as fiction needs a good story line, so if “scintillating plot always seems to elude you, spend a day plotting and planning with award-winning poet, novelist and travel writer, Linda Watanabe McFerrin. Bring that flat-lining fiction and non-fiction and bring it to life.”
The Plot Thickens
with Linda Watanabe McFerrin
Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Book Passage in Corte Madera
To Register: (415) 927-0960
Limited Space
Apr
13
Litquake events
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From Litquake: Litquake Kicks Off Its 10th Anniversary with Stellar Events featuring Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Ethan Canin, and Tamim Ansary
Just because we’re working full time toward the big 10th anniversary Litquake Festival on October 9-17, there’s no reason to think we’re dormant until then. Throughout spring and summer, Litquake will be keeping the literary scene illuminated with films, cocktails, and readings, including:
Ferlinghetti, Christopher Felver’s powerful film portrait following Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s path from a young, disillusioned G.I. to philosophical anarchist, owner/publisher of City Lights, free-speech icon, and eventually, the world’s most-read poet. Litquake co-presents the event with the 81st annual SF International Film Festival. (April 28, 30, and May 6)
Apr
13
How to Make Travel Writing Work for You
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Travel writer Linda Ballou offers beginning travel writers a free e-book called How to Make Travel Writing Work for You. Linda explains, “My report is written to those who are not going to try to make a living at travel writing, but just want to get around to places they couldn’t get to otherwise.”
Get the free report by providing your name and email address at Linda’s website, after which the PDF download will appear. And while you’re there, check out Linda’s book, Wai-nanai, High Chiefess of Hawai’i.
Apr
13
Ten Endangered Rivers That Still Have a Chance
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Wend Magazine’s article, Ten Endangered Rivers That Still Have a Chance, posted by “peter.” (Note: the Sacramento-San Joaquin river system tops the list!)
A tour of the nation’s most endangered rivers—even on paper—is a sobering trip. The conservation group American Rivers today released a list of the top ten rivers in trouble all over America and the variety of locations is rivaled only by the types of threats facing these rivers—from floods to sewage to encroaching highways.
Apr
13
| April 14, 2009 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:30 pm |
From the Northern California chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers:
The Eloquence and Intention of Film in the Digital Age — An evening with with Jock McDonald and Thomas Heinser — At LeftSpace studios
This event will blow your pixels off! Two highly acclaimed photographers Jock McDonald and Thomas Heinser talk about shooting Film in todays digital world. Don’t miss this one!
In the photography world of immediate gratification there is another way to approach photography. A way of slowing down, and using other tools for image making. Humanistic tools, like intuition, pre visualization, and intention. The digital age is here and here to stay, but the way of using film to bring private control to your photography is at your disposal.
Apr
13
Do you love to write — for free?
April 13, 2009 | 1 Comment
Thanks to Michael Shapiro for sending this hilarious-but-sad Craig’s List post and ranting response. (I’d include the link, but the post is evidently no longer up.)
Local Freelance Food Writers Needed (SF)
Reply to: gigs-1043393944@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-02-20, 2:40PM PST
Do you love to eat? Are you deeply entrenched in Bay Area food culture? Early stage website for everyone who loves to cook seeks writers for San Francisco, Peninsula, and East/North/South Bay neighborhood pages. Must have an active sense of humor and love to cook!
Apr
13
Genre bending travel writing
April 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
James Wood’s essay in the New Yorker about Geoff Dyer “He combines fiction, autobiography, travel writing, cultural criticism, literary theory, and a kind of comic English whining. The result ought to be a mutant mulch but is almost always a louche and canny delight.”