June 24th, 2009

Where Am I Wearing iPod Give Away

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

Fellow Ohioan Kelsey Timmerman, author of the book Where Am I Wearing? and Blog of the same name has redesigned his website and to celebrate giving away a free iPod and some clever writerly advice. It’s a cool site and worth checking out, if not for the iPod alone.

The contest ends Tuesday and all you have to do to enter is post a witty/funny/insulting answer to the question asked here.

June 2nd, 2009

Job & Market Lead: Editorial and Internship Positions at Matador Network

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

Our good friends over at Matador Network have finally put together a full listing of all current job openings. If you know even a little about the online travel writing community, you know that Matador Network is one of the big players, so these gigs should intrigue you.

Current Openings:
Contributing Editor at Matador Sports - Matador is looking a writer/blogger who can write and/or edit and post up to 5 short (200 to 400-word) articles a week on sports related subjects for its new site Matador Sports, launching soon. The ideal candidate will be someone passionate about the outdoors, camping, backpacking, and sports in general. Points if he/she is a world soccer fan and/or either surfs, paddles, rides, etc.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of HTML/blogging, strong writing and editing skills.

Contributing Editor at Matador Life - Matador is looking for a woman blogger who can write and/or edit and post up to 5 short (200 to 400-word) articles a week on lifestyle subjects/what to do in between travels.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of HTML / blogging, ad ability to upload photos via FTP.

Interested candidates for either position can reply to jobs[at]matadornetwork[dot]com with cover letters/resumes, etc, or just send inquiries to learn more about job, payment, etc.

There are also some Summer 2009 Editorial Internships available, so if you need something to put on your resume, hop to!

May 25th, 2009

National Geographic Adventure Channel - See Your documentary aired

By Kelly Pipes | Add a Comment »

Attention all budding travel-filmmakers! WorldNomads.com has a travel documentary scholarship up for grabs. They want to take you and your talents to Vietnam, then air your work on the National Geographic Adventure Channel.

You’ll be lead by producer Trent O’Donnell across Southeast Asian with a team of 20 volunteer doctors. The doctors’ mission is to provide vital medical services to the host communities in Mai Chau Valley by setting up temporary health clinics.

As the winner of the scholarship, you’ll be there to tell their story.

How to enter
Applicants must submit a 3-minute video documentary in English based around the theme Journey into an Unknown Culture. The deadline is July 5, 2009. Applicants are also asked to submit 200 words or less on why they should be awarded the World Nomads 2009 Travel Documentary Scholarship. Read the rest of this entry »

May 10th, 2009

The Independent on Sunday Looks For Fresh Travel Writing Talent

By Kelly Pipes | Add a Comment »

The deadline approaches for the annual travel writing contest from Bradt travel guides and The Independent On Sunday. Get your submission in by May 15th to be in with a chance of showcasing your writing in a British broadsheet newspaper. There’s a trip to Columbia or a travel writing holiday to Spain (with Travellers Tales) up for grabs too.

Who can enter?
Anyone, anywhere …as long as you’re over 18. Published and unpublished writers are welcome.

What and where can I write about?
This year’s theme is ‘Destination Unknown’, so over to you on that one.

Details, details
The wordcount is capped at 800 words.
Casting the final vote this year will be journalist and travel-writer Matthew Parris.
Entries may be posted or emailed.
The short-listed entrants will be notified by phone on 16 June 2009.
Full competition rules at the Bradt website

Eyes on the prize
Prize for the Published and Unpublished writers’ category is as follows. The Independent on Sunday will publish the winning entry and offer a commission for a 900-word article based on the winner’s prize trip; a holiday for two in Colombia. You’ll spend three nights in Bogota then three nights in Cartagena.

The prize in the Unpublished writers’ category is a place on a Travellers Tales travel-writing course in Cordoba, Spain in October 2009.

Good luck!

May 7th, 2009

Job/Internship Leads: Saveur, US News & World Report

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

Several great new job leads just popped up today. Saveur is looking for a web editor/producer to lead content at the magazine’s website from their New York office. Applicants must have heavy experience with online media, creating and editing in accordance to SEO properties, managing freelancers, has a background in food writing, and is a frequent reader of other food blogs and websites.

To apply: Submit your resume through their post at Mediabistro.

US News & World Report has internships available for those interested to be a Travel Analyst/Editor or a Travel Copy Editor at their Washington D.C. office beginning May 26. Summer positions are 40 hours per week. Interns working during semesters are requested to work 15-20 hours a week. There’s even pay: $12 per hour. They’re especially seeking those with varied travel experience, great writing skills, and knowledge of photo editing.

To apply: Submit your resume, a cover letter stating availability, 3 references, and 3 current clips to either job post at mediabistro.com.

May 5th, 2009

Job & Market Leads: Globe Pequot Press, Citysearch, Costal Living

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

The Globe Pequot Press Press is searching for authors for these city guides:
-Seattle, WA
-Long Island, NY
-Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, NC
-Baton Rouge, LA
-Shreveport, LA
-Madison, WI
To apply: Send a current resume along with published clips to Amy Lyons, Senior Travel Editor, at amy.lyons@globepequot.com.

Citysearch is looking for editors for both Washington D.C. and Houston.
To apply: Submit your resume as a word or PDF document, along with several published clips and/or a link to your blog or website (if you have one), to jobs@citysearch.com. Indicate “Houston or D.C Editor” in the subject line.

-Coastal Living is looking for an Assistant Features Editor.

April 30th, 2009

Happy 8th Birthday World Hum!

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

One of the biggest names in the realm of online travel writing, World Hum, is celebrating its 8th anniversary this Friday! The site is celebrating all week long with special content, starting off with Pico Iyer’s classic piece “Why We Travel.”

In order to honor their last 8 years, throughout the whole week World Hum is publishing lists to the tune of “Eight Great…” Check out these compilations of WH’s favorite content, and be sure to wish them a happy birthday!

Eight Great Travel Stories About Food

Eight Great Road Trip Stories

Eight Great Stories of Beaches, Islands, Travel and the Tropics

Eight Great Travel Stories of Serendipity and Kindness

Eight Great Stories of the Shrinking Planet

April 20th, 2009

Job Lead: Assistant Editor for Travel at Globe Pequot Press

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

The Globe Pequot Press is searching for an Assistant Editor for their Travel department on location in Guilford, CT.

Duties:
• Managing authors/writers/revisers of assigned titles and working directly with them to ensure company standards are met and that manuscripts conform to series and production guidelines.
• Resolving book-related queries.
• Assisting in acquiring writers.
• Conducting photo research and ensures all photo rights are secured.
• Researching tourism/travel news and developments.
• Helping keep books on schedule.

Qualifications:
• Strong editing, rewriting, and map-proofing skills.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office including Excel and track changes in Word.
• Ability to work on multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Superb organizational skills.
• Mac familiar and ability to use InCopy a plus.
*Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years of editorial publishing experience.*

To Apply:
Visit their applicant page. No phone calls or emails.

April 15th, 2009

Bradt Travel Writing Competition 2009

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

Nothing’s better than crafting an elaborate travel narrative, sending it off and crossing your fingers hoping that your mastery of words will score you a free vacation.

UK-based Bradt Travel Guides just announced its 2009 travel writing competition for any writer over the age of 18. First prize is a trip for two to Colombia, and the wining story will be published in the Independent on Sunday.

Who can enter:
Competition open to anyone over 18 worldwide.
Published and unpublished writers. “Unpublished” means never having been paid for any piece of writing that has appeared in print or online.

How to enter:
Submit an 800 word essay in response to the contest theme “Destination Unknown” to info[at]bradtguides[dot]com, with “2009 Travel Writing Competition” in the subject.

Your name and address together with the word “Published” or “Unpublished” should be stated in the body of the email. To preserve anonymity when judging, you must not write your name on the article and your name and address should not appear on your entry.

Prizes:
First place for the competition (both unpublished and published writers will be entered) is a trip for two to Colombia. The Independent on Sunday will also publish the winning entry and offer a commission for a 900-word article based on the winner’s prize holiday.

The prize in the unpublished writers’ category is a place on a travel-writing course in Spain, provided by contest partner Travellers’ Tales. The weekend course will be held in Cordoba in October 2009.

For more information, click here.

April 8th, 2009

Wend Magazine Seeks Food Related Submissions for New Department: “Feast”

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

We’ve all experienced a strange meal or two during our travels. In fact food is often one of the best ways to connect with the culture you’re traveling in; nothing brings people together better than a good meal and drink. And if you can endure whatever the local specialty may be, even better.

That’s why Wend Magazine — an adventure travel magazine based in Portland, OR — launched a new department called Feast:

Traveling the world is all about new experiences. And often, new experiences come in the form of food. Feast celebrates some of the stranger culinary encounters our writers have on the road. Whether it’s drinking Chang (rice wine steeped in rendered yak fat) in NE India, eating fried worms in Africa, or searching for the best kabob in Istanbul, Feast is dedicated to the fuel our bodies need for adventure.

Submitting:
Have an excellent adventurous gastronomic story to tell? Make sure to read through the Wend Magazine writer’s guidelines first! “Feast” articles should be 800 words accompanied by at least two photos.

Send Wend two clips of your work, relevant to the story you’re proposing, a summary of your experience and a brief query (story proposal) summarizing the scope of your story, estimated word count and an explanation of why you’re qualified to write it. Send your proposal to edit[at]wendmag[dot]com.

Payment:
Wend pays $.25 a word, plus photos.