Dec
14
Smithsonian Magazine photo contest
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| December 16, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Good news! Smithsonian magazine has extended the deadline for their photo contest to Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 2pm Eastern Time. Contestants may enter photographs in five categories — The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People — that represent subjects of special interest to the magazine.
Nov
16
Contest for Wannabe Travel Writers Includes Assignment in Japan
November 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| December 21, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Littleton, CO, November 9, 2009 – Write your way around Tokyo, all-expenses paid, and get published to boot. The travel writing scholarship 2010 from WorldNomads.com offers chance to explore and cover Tokyo for Rough Guides.
WorldNomads.com in conjunction with Rough Guides, Intrepid Travel and Hotels.com announces a contest for aspiring travel writers ages 18 and up. Candidates can be students, emerging and non-professional writers and lovers of travel looking for a career change. The prize is the chance to travel for a week, all-expenses paid, to Tokyo and learn tricks of the trade from Rough Guides travel writer, Simon Richmond.
Nov
16
Wyndham Worldwide Opportunity
November 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| January 4, 2010 | ||
| 12:00 am |
PARSIPPANY, NJ — (Marketwire) — 11/16/09 — Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), the hospitality industry’s longest-running branded program dedicated entirely to female travelers, is kicking off The Local Nation travel writing contest to find ten adventurous individuals who feel that they could represent their fellow travelers on the newly formed Sounding Board and to shape the future of WomenOnTheirWay.com.
Starting on November 11, 2009, the Local Nation contest by Wyndham Worldwide invites participants to enter their essays of 350 words or less, plus a photo or video on why they should be selected. All entries will be posted on www.WomenOnTheirWay.com with a voting process starting on January 4, 2010. Entrants may share their entry with their social networks in hopes of securing “thumbs up” votes. The top ten entries, as decided by a combination of WOTW Judges’ scores and the results of online voting, will then be named to the Sounding Board. All winners will be announced by February 15, 2010 and posted on the Women on Their Way website.
“The Sounding Board is a win-win both for Women on Their Way and Wyndham Worldwide,” states Alyson Johnson, director of marketing communications and writer of the WOTW blog, Adventures with Alyson. “The Local Nation will feature blog entries, pictures and fun videos of the contest winners and their vacations at various hotels, rentals and/or timeshare properties within the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, while the contest winners will provide Wyndham Worldwide feedback on programs and properties. That ‘local knowledge’ will also help to shape the future of the Women on Their Way website, www.WomenOnTheirWay.com.”
Oct
10
National Geographic’s International Photography Contest
October 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| October 31, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Every year, National Geographic’s International Photography Contest draws thousands of spectacular photos from users around the world. This year could be your year—send in your photos for a chance to win a digital camera kit and have your image published in the magazine. Winners will be entered into the Worldwide International Photography Contest.
You can submit up to six photos in three categories—People, Places, and Nature—between now and October 31, 2009. Winners will be announced in early December. There is an entry fee of U.S. $12 for each photo.
Contest Website: for complete rules; link for submitting.
Sep
6
“World in Focus” photo contest (extended deadline)
September 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| September 8, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Round up your best travel photos! National Geographic Traveler has extended the entry deadline for their “World in Focus” photo contest to September 8th. Categories are travel portraits, outdoor scenes, sense of place, spontaneous moments, and photo essay. Grand prize is a 10-day safari in Tanzania.
Sep
6
Michael Shapiro’s Winning Boy of Summer
September 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Congratulations to Michael Shapiro for winning the Travel Classics West 2008 contest for Best Travel Story on Arizona. “In ‘Boy of Summer’ freelance writer Michael Shapiro received the ultimate assignment: spend a week in Arizona at a baseball fantasy camp, playing ball with and being coached by San Francisco Giants players who were once his idols.”
Who says travel writing doesn’t pay? Michael won a four-night stay at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino, golf at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, dinner for two at Ahnala Mesquite Room, and a horseback ride or a Jeep tour at Fort McDowell Adventures, plus a guaranteed spot at 2009 Travel Classics West 2009 (conference fee included).
Sep
1
Win a 12-day culture and spa tour of Vietnam
September 1, 2009 | 1 Comment
| November 30, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
The website Wanderlust and Lipstick – “Your destination for women’s travel” announced a travel writing contest with a Grand Prize of a 12-day Health and Harmony land tour of Vietnam—valued at $1995—with Buffalo Tours. There will also be five Best in Category prizes of Bayliss bags from Overland Equipment and CoolMax Blankets and Travel Pillows from Cocoon. The contest is open to women only. Deadline for submitting your entries is November 30, 2009. Categories are:
- Adventure
- Family Fun
- Food & Drink
- Off the Beaten Path
- Spiritual
Complete contest details here.
Aug
21
“Best of Summer” Travel Photo Contest
August 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| August 31, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Tours4fun just launched their “Best of Summer” Travel Photo Contest. The winning photographer gets a helicopter or airplane tour of the Grand Canyon, or a 2-day trip to Niagara Falls or Washington D.C., plus discounts for up to six companions.
Photos are being accepted during August, and voting (by website visitors) takes place during September.
Aug
19
National Geographic Traveler’s photo contest
August 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| August 24, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
The deadline for National Geographic Traveler’s World in Focus photo contest is August 24th.
Grand prize is a 10-day safari trip for one person to Tanzania.
Categories are:
- TRAVEL PORTRAITS: Travel photos of locals working, playing, celebrating
- OUTDOOR SCENES: Landscapes, aerials, wildlife, waterscapes.
- SENSE OF PLACE: Scenes in cities, towns, and villages that suggest a feeling of place.
- SPONTANEOUS MOMENTS: Photos that capture fun, quirky, unrehearsed moments.
- PHOTO ESSAY: Up to six images that convey a story around a particular theme.
Aug
19
Culinary Writing Fellowship
August 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| September 10, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Thanks to Kelly Hayes-Raitt for sending the information below. I’m including this because food and travel are so intimately connected—in my mind, anyway. (Kelly says, “I was just awarded a travel writing fellowship at the Writers’ Colony, which I read about on your blog! Thank you!”)
NEW 2009 Culinary Writing Fellowship ~ deadline 9/10/09
The Duncan Eat-Write Fellowship Fellowship will be awarded to an author writing a cookbook or work of fiction or nonfiction that involves a love of food or healthful eating. This Fellowship provides a residency in the Writers’ Colony Culinary Suite equipped with full test kitchen. The Culinary Suite and test kitchen were designed, sponsored by and featured in Renovation Home Magazine.
Aug
13
Travelers’ Tales Sponsors Solas Awards
August 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| September 21, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From Travelers’ Tales: Award-winning publisher Travelers’ Tales is the sponsor of The Solas Awards, an annual competition to honor excellence in travel writing.
Extraordinary stories about travel and the human spirit have been the cornerstones of our books since 1993. With the Solas Awards we honor writers whose work inspires others to explore. We’re looking for the best stories about travel and the world—funny, illuminating, adventurous, uplifting, scary, inspiring, poignant—stories that reflect the unique alchemy that occurs when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world differently as a result. We hope these awards will be a catalyst for those who love to leave home and tell others about it.
Aug
13
Call for Submissions: The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2010
August 13, 2009 | 2 Comments
| September 1, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From Christy Quinto at Travelers’ Tales:
Travelers’ Tales is seeking submissions to its annual anthology of the greatest travel stories penned by women from around the world. Our books capture the full range of travel experiences: adventure, mysticism, humor, cross-cultural connection, transformation.
Story length can be anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 words. Previously published pieces are fine, as long as you retain the copyright. Payment is $100 plus a free copy of the anthology. Author Stephanie Elizondo Griest will edit the collection.
Jun
13
| September 1, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Travel writing that helps to sustain or enhance the unique and valuable character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and/or the well-being of its residents.
Categories:
Best Travel Article or Essay for Planet Earth
Best Travel Book for Planet Earth
Apr
5
2009 Travel Writing Fellowships
April 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| May 15, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Thanks to Larry Habegger for forwarding this information about a writing fellowship offered by The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow. The folks at WCDH mentioned that the fellowship was formed with proceeds from one of Jeff Greenwald’s Strange Travel Suggestions performances; thanks, Jeff!
The Gorrell-Nelson Travel Writing Fellowship
A four week residency
The Hagin-Kaye Travel Writing Fellowship
A two week residency
In the belief that travel is a bridge between peoples, these fellowships are designed for writing that covers global, national and local travel; encourages the conservation and preservation of historic sites and natural wonders; improves and broadens the travel experience with excellence of description; and seeks to make travel and all its beneficial results available and accessible to more people of all ages.
Apr
5
| May 15, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Can you write a winning travel article? Don’t miss the chance to enter the Bradt/Independent on Sunday Travel-writing Competition. First prize is an exciting holiday for two in Colombia. The winning story will be published in The Independent on Sunday and the author will earn a commission from the newspaper.
The competition is open to anyone over 18 worldwide, whether you are a published writer or not. The theme this year is ‘Destination Unknown’ and entries must contain a strong travel element and be no more than 800 words. To encourage new writers, there is also a prize specifically for those who have not been published before. Unpublished writers are eligible for both categories.
Mar
29
Equivocality Writer’s Travel Scholarship
March 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| April 30, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
You can submit writing about anything — not necessarily travel-related — for this contest. The prize is a ticket to anywhere in the world you want to go (max $2,000). Check out the excellent writing that has won prizes in previous years, and get your application in by April 30, 2009. Thanks to Eva Schlesinger for the link.
Welcome back to the Writer’s Travel Scholarship, now in its fifth fabulous year! This is is a short-form writing contest where the winner gets a round-trip ticket to anywhere in the world. Really.
Naturally, I do see a lot of travel writing submissions, but I’d like to reiterate that this is not about travel writing: it’s about writers traveling. Anything is fair game, as long as it’s prose under 10,000 words. Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, porn, whatever… just make it a good read.
“Why do you do this?” is a frequently-asked-question. So I will repeat (say it with me this time):
I think travel is good. I think writing is good. I think it is important that writers travel.
Applications are open from now until midnight April 30th, 2009. The winner will be announced May 15th.
Changes from last year
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
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
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
2
World Nomads’ 2009 Travel Scholarship
December 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| January 9, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
From GeckoGoneBlogging:
“Wanna be a travel writer? Get a World Nomads’ 2009 Travel Scholarship & Writing assignment. Love to travel? Want to be a published travel writer?
“Here’s your awesome chance to do it – between now and January 9, 2009 – our friends over at World Nomads are offering a travel writing scholarship to Kerala, where you’ll be writing for Footprint Guides.
“What do I win?
* flight to Kerala, India between February 16th and March 7, 2008
* a 10-day tour with Blue Yonder Tour
* self-guided assignment updating travel insurance: accommodations, bars & restaurants, etc.
* Footprint travel writing assignment for Footprints India 2009
Oct
31
Narrative Travel Writing Contest
October 31, 2008 | 1 Comment
| December 15, 2008 | ||
| 11:00 pm |
Travel writing contest calls for submissions on the ‘dangerous world’
Deadline: December 15, 2008 Professionals, freelancers and writers worldwide are invited to submit their travel stories to the 2009 Narrative Travel Writing Contest, organized by TransitionsAbroad.com.
The theme for this year’s contest is “Travel in a Dangerous World.” Submissions should address whether the world is truly more dangerous than it has ever been, or if governments and media have exaggerated the threats.
Stories will be judged based on their sensitivity to the people and culture being described, ability to engage the reader, and literary quality.
Oct
13
Narrative Story Contest
October 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| October 27, 2008 | ||
| 12:00 am |
“Awards: First Prize is $1,500, Second Prize is $750, and Third Prize is $300. The prize winners will be announced in Narrative. Additionally, ten finalists will be chosen and announced in the magazine. All entries will be considered for publication. (Limit of two entries per individual.)”
Oct
13
Road Junky 2008 Gonzo Travel Writing Contest
October 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| December 31, 2008 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Road Junky 2008 Gonzo Travel Writing Contest – HellĂ‚Â Trips
Let’s face it, stories about people falling in love, getting high on drugs and enjoying stunning mountain views only take you so far. There hasn’t been a movie made yet that begins “And they will all live happily ever after …”
There’s way more juice in hearing about the nightmare stories, the hell trips when everything that could go wrong did. So we want to hear about your worst journeys, your near-death experiences, when you were robbed, beaten up, extorted, heartbroken or brainwashed.
Oct
12
High School Travel Writing Contest
October 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| October 31, 2008 |
Bay Area Travel Writers
Holds 4th Annual
San Francisco Bay Area High School
Travel Writing Contest
October 1 – 31, 2008
BATW.org
San Francisco, CA (September 15, 2008)- The Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW), a 20-year-old professional organization of travel writers and photographers, announces its 4th annual Travel Writing Contest for all Bay Area high school students. No entry fee is required.
Students wishing to enter should submit a 500-word essay concerning a travel destination, experience or activity. Travel essays deal with the idea and experience of travel – whether the writer has traveled to the other side of the world, down the block or anywhere in between. All essays will be evaluated by BATW judges (professional travel writers) on accuracy, originality, creativity, proper use of language, syntax and grammar, and humor.
Aug
26
2008 Travel Documentary Scholarship
August 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
| August 31, 2008 | ||
| 12:00 am |
“Leading online travel insurance provider, WorldNomads.com, together with the Nat Geo Adventure, is calling for entrants into its 2008 Documentary Scholarship. The winner will go ‘on assignment’ in Rajasthan, India with experienced documentary producer Trent O’Donnell to create a video documentary about a World Expeditions community project trek.”In the first WorldNomads.com scholarship open to everyone internationally – not just students – the scholarship recipient’s resulting video will be considered for broadcast on the Nat Geo Adventure Channel. The recipients will also receive a Lenovo Ideapad laptop to write their ‘on the road’ blog and travel gear from Paddy Pallin.