Travel writing sounds like a dream job (“Get paid to travel!” or “Fund your travels with a blog!” promise the ads for travel writing courses) but the reality is that making a living from your travels isn’t as easy or glamorous as it might seem. Whether you’re just sharing your adventures with family and friends via your blog or aiming to earn a living from writing about your experiences, it’s wise to learn more about what you’re getting yourself into and what you can expect as you get started with travel blogging. Last week, we explored the benefits and challenges of starting a travel blog, and this week we’re digging deeper into the world of travel writing. In preparation for TBEX 2011 in Vancouver, we’re looking at how you can get the most out of a travel blogging conference, with tips on being professional, networking and staying organized amidst the chaos. Later this week, we’ll get a language lesson with a look at some popular travel sayings and where they come from, and learn more about one cliche than should never appear in your writing. And if you’re not convince blogging is how you want to fund your trip around the world, we’ll also present several alternative careers that not only encourage, but require travel as part of the job. [...]
Vagabonding author and successful travel writer, Rolf Potts is returning for his ninth summer teaching a course on travel writing at the Paris Writing Workshop. Rolf and other fiction and nonfiction writers will offer courses on fiction, poetry, screenplays, memoir and more. According to the site, the class taught by Rolf “delves into the essence of nonfiction storytelling. Since the Paris setting is ripe for place-based narrative, travel writing will be a central aspect of this workshop — but students will also be encouraged to explore the art memoir, as well as the ins and outs of literary journalism. Though this class primarily aims to sharpen and evolve writers’ instincts for constructing narratives, it will also touch on the practical matters of working with agents and editors, and submitting stories for publication. Potts will give one-on-one guidance for each student’s work, and final portfolios will include one polished nonfiction story to be submitted for publication.” The month-long course costs $3,600, not including housing (though arranged housing is available for an extra fee), airfare and expenses in Paris. It’s not cheap, but this an opportunity to learn from a writer called “Jack Kerouac for the Internet Age” by USA Today. Rolf’s work has appeared in Salon.com, Slate.com, National Geographic Traveler, the Travel Channel, and anthologies, like the Best American Travel Writing [...]
On “Everything You Think is Wrong Day” this year (which falls on the same day as National Pears Helene Day, in case you were wondering – seriously, who comes up with these “holidays,” anyway?), we thought we’d take a moment to go over some of the most commonly held beliefs about travel writers – and then tell you why those beliefs are wrong. So, yeah. This is kind of an “everything you think you know about travel writers is wrong” sort of thing. Unless you’re a travel writer, in which case you probably already know all this stuff. In that case, feel free to send it to any family or friends who pester you with their uneducated ways. Travel writers are extroverts. Some travel writers are gregarious, but the number of introverted travel writers would likely shock the unassuming public at large. It makes perfect sense from inside this snow globe, of course – travel writers are observers, and observers don’t have to interact with what/who they’re observing. It is, in some ways, an ideal job for someone who isn’t comfortable talking to strangers. Of course, the best travel writers learn to overcome at least some of their introverted tendencies in order to get those delightful human interest stories readers always love, but they’re often well outside their comfort zone [...]
About seven months ago, we launched the BootsnAll Writer Platform, and introduced five new writers in May. After launching a search for more writers again in August, we’re excited to once again introduce you to the latest BootsnAll travel writers! Catherine Bodry: WhyGo Thailand Catherine Bodry is our Thailand expert. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she’s visited several dozen countries, can book a hotel room in several languages, and has two chickens. Her work has been published by Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, AOL, MSN, and Trail Runner Magazine. You can find Catherine in the following places: WhyGo Thailand travel guide WhyGo Thailand on Twitter WhyGo Thailand RSS feed Julie Ovenell-Carter: WhyGo Canada Our Canada expert is Julie Ovenell-Carter, a wanderlusty Canuck with good boots, good sense, and a good way with words — your go-to gal for Canadian travel tips. You can find Julie in the following places: WhyGo Canada travel guide WhyGo Canada on Twitter WhyGo Canada RSS feed Melanie Waldman: WhyGo London Our London expert, Melanie Waldman, has been in love with vibrant, exciting London since childhood. Since her first vist in 1985 (the debut of Eastenders and Live Aid, and the end of Margaret Thatcher), she’s seen London grow into an art, design, financial, entertainment and culinary center — and as far as she’s concerned, the greatest city [...]
Travel writing sounds like a dream job (“Get paid to travel!” or “Fund your travels with a blog!” promise the ads for travel writing courses) but the reality is that making a living from your travels isn’t as easy or glamorous as it might seem. Whether you’re just sharing your adventures with family and friends via your blog or aiming to earn a living from writing about your experiences, it’s wise to learn more about what you’re getting yourself into and what you can expect as you get started with travel blogging. Last week, we explored the benefits and challenges of starting a travel blog, and this week we’re digging deeper into the world of travel writing. In preparation for TBEX 2011 in Vancouver, we’re looking at how you can get the most out of a travel blogging conference, with tips on being professional, networking and staying organized amidst the chaos. Later this week, we’ll get a language lesson with a look at some popular travel sayings and where they come from, and learn more about one cliche than should never appear in your writing. And if you’re not convince blogging is how you want to fund your trip around the world, we’ll also present several alternative careers that not only encourage, but require travel as part of the job. [...] 
Vagabonding author and successful travel writer, Rolf Potts is returning for his ninth summer teaching a course on travel writing at the Paris Writing Workshop. Rolf and other fiction and nonfiction writers will offer courses on fiction, poetry, screenplays, memoir and more. According to the site, the class taught by Rolf “delves into the essence of nonfiction storytelling. Since the Paris setting is ripe for place-based narrative, travel writing will be a central aspect of this workshop — but students will also be encouraged to explore the art memoir, as well as the ins and outs of literary journalism. Though this class primarily aims to sharpen and evolve writers’ instincts for constructing narratives, it will also touch on the practical matters of working with agents and editors, and submitting stories for publication. Potts will give one-on-one guidance for each student’s work, and final portfolios will include one polished nonfiction story to be submitted for publication.” The month-long course costs $3,600, not including housing (though arranged housing is available for an extra fee), airfare and expenses in Paris. It’s not cheap, but this an opportunity to learn from a writer called “Jack Kerouac for the Internet Age” by USA Today. Rolf’s work has appeared in Salon.com, Slate.com, National Geographic Traveler, the Travel Channel, and anthologies, like the Best American Travel Writing [...] 
On “Everything You Think is Wrong Day” this year (which falls on the same day as National Pears Helene Day, in case you were wondering – seriously, who comes up with these “holidays,” anyway?), we thought we’d take a moment to go over some of the most commonly held beliefs about travel writers – and then tell you why those beliefs are wrong. So, yeah. This is kind of an “everything you think you know about travel writers is wrong” sort of thing. Unless you’re a travel writer, in which case you probably already know all this stuff. In that case, feel free to send it to any family or friends who pester you with their uneducated ways. Travel writers are extroverts. Some travel writers are gregarious, but the number of introverted travel writers would likely shock the unassuming public at large. It makes perfect sense from inside this snow globe, of course – travel writers are observers, and observers don’t have to interact with what/who they’re observing. It is, in some ways, an ideal job for someone who isn’t comfortable talking to strangers. Of course, the best travel writers learn to overcome at least some of their introverted tendencies in order to get those delightful human interest stories readers always love, but they’re often well outside their comfort zone [...] 
About seven months ago, we launched the BootsnAll Writer Platform, and introduced five new writers in May. After launching a search for more writers again in August, we’re excited to once again introduce you to the latest BootsnAll travel writers! Catherine Bodry: WhyGo Thailand Catherine Bodry is our Thailand expert. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she’s visited several dozen countries, can book a hotel room in several languages, and has two chickens. Her work has been published by Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, AOL, MSN, and Trail Runner Magazine. You can find Catherine in the following places: WhyGo Thailand travel guide WhyGo Thailand on Twitter WhyGo Thailand RSS feed Julie Ovenell-Carter: WhyGo Canada Our Canada expert is Julie Ovenell-Carter, a wanderlusty Canuck with good boots, good sense, and a good way with words — your go-to gal for Canadian travel tips. You can find Julie in the following places: WhyGo Canada travel guide WhyGo Canada on Twitter WhyGo Canada RSS feed Melanie Waldman: WhyGo London Our London expert, Melanie Waldman, has been in love with vibrant, exciting London since childhood. Since her first vist in 1985 (the debut of Eastenders and Live Aid, and the end of Margaret Thatcher), she’s seen London grow into an art, design, financial, entertainment and culinary center — and as far as she’s concerned, the greatest city [...]