July 7th, 2010

Guide Gecko Announces 2010 Guidebook Competition

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

The Travel Guidebook Online Bookstore GuideGecko have a launched the 2010 edition of the GuideGecko International Writing Contest. Do you have a self published ebook that needs some recognition? Here’s your chance to get it out there.

All travel, food and lifestyle guidebooks can be submitted. The winning titles will be showcased at the world’s largest book fair in Frankfurt, top prize is a personal trip to the fair. A big opportunity to meet and mingle with renowned publishers and to expose your titles to over 299,000 visitors and 10,000 journalists. GuideGecko has also partnered with Insight Guides and the 3 winning titles will be displayed at their booth!

Submission deadline is September 15, 2010. All new and previously published titles can be submitted. You keep all copyrights, participation is free, and you even earn on every sale.

Click Here for More Info.

March 1st, 2010

Be the Next BootsnAll Travel Writer!

By khammel | Add a Comment »

Is being a travel writer your dream job?

We’re excited to launch the BootsnAll Travel Writer platform — a partnership with passionate travel writers to create expert-driven content on your favorite destinations and topics.

Current Opportunities:
Destinations: Amsterdam, Australia, France, Hawaii, Indonesia, Ireland, Las Vegas, London, Mexico, South Africa, or you tell us!
Themes: Adventure Travel, Business Travel, Round the World Travel, TEFL, Travel Gear or you tell us!

How It Works:
You get to focus on your passion — travel writing; BootsnAll covers the technical aspects.

Weekly tasks: feature article writing, blog posts and social media interaction

Time commitment: up to 10 hours/week

Compensation: base pay of $100-500/month with profit sharing of 30-40%. The base pay is based on how much content is produced. Some destinations will require more content than others….that’s why the variance in base compensation.

The “fine print”: Just like a guide book, your content will have a copyright and non-compete, but unlike traditional guide books, BootsnAll shares the profit (up to 40%) with each writer!

If you love independent travel, fancy yourself to be an expert, and want to get paid to write about a destination you love, fill out the BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform application by Monday, March 15, 2010.

FAQ:

What if I’m interested in more than one location?
Just submit one application and then list several locations you’re interested in, but make sure to include your “favorite” location.

How much can I expect to get paid?
As a starting BootsnAll writer you will be paid according to the work that you do, which roughly covers feature articles, blog posts, social media participation and other marketing activities. After your BootsnAll site has become profitable, the profit sharing will be between 30-40%.

Couldn’t I just start a travel blog and make money on my own?
Yes, the Internet is full of travel blogs and guides. In fact, that is why we are starting this program. The web is full of a lot of crap… and writers and content producers are, in general, not perceived as a valuable part of the process. What makes the BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform unique is that it’s a partnership between an established travel company and writers. We leverage our network, technology, and processes so you can leverage your passion. Win, win!

What happens if I quit?
Your content stays with your site. We are not looking for people that “quit”. We are looking for a commitment of at least 3 years. It takes time to build the best site for your destination or theme on the web. Please don’t apply if you are looking for some short term writing contracts.

Can I still write for other companies?
Absolutely. We ask that you keep all of your “destination-specific” content for your Bootsnall site (which can still be published offline), but you can write about anything else, anywhere and everywhere. For example, if you’re our WhyGo Australia writer, you’ll need to publish all of your Australia writing on WhyGo Australia, but you can still write about Morocco or your favorite German beers for the New York Times. Why? Because we are giving you training, proprietary information and resources on how to build these sites as well as a chunk of the profits. We won’t compete with you, so we expect the same.

Can I still write about my destination on my personal blog?
The line here isn’t quite as black and white as that between writing about your destination for both BootsnAll and for another paid online publication (which we ask that you not do). While we understand that you may already have a blog that features content on your destination or theme, we don’t want “double-dipping” so to speak. We’re making a commitment to you, and we’d like you do the same for us — with your best material helping to build the best guide for your destination, so that you can reap the most rewards. In other words: we don’t want the destination material on your own blog to compete with the material you’ve posted on your BootsnAll site.

When do I get paid?
You will receive a monthly base pay via direct deposit/check on the 15th for the previous month’s production and profit.

What are your expectations?
We’re stoked to be offering this partnership to travel writers, so our expectation is that you will be too! We’re looking for passionate travel writers, so if you’re just looking to pick up a bit of freelancing and are only mildly interested in travel, the partnership won’t work.

What do I actually have to do?
It depends on the location or theme that you are writing for. We have an in depth content plan for each site, but in general, you’ll be writing features, blog posts, spending time within social media circles, and researching. Check out our WhyGo Italy travel guide for an example.

I’m not sure I should apply, should I?
If you can answer yes to all of the “5 Reasons to Apply” then it’ll probably be a great fit. Check out the video by our CEO Sean Keener on “Who this writing platform is a good fit for”. It doesn’t hurt to apply and at the very least, get a conversation going.

November 20th, 2009

Tim Leffel Wants to Hear Your Thoughts For A New Book on Travel Writing

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

Author of World’s Cheapest Destinations and publisher of the excellent ezine Perceptive Travel, Tim Leffel, is working on a new book on Travel Writing. He’s looking for professional and aspiring travel writers to let him know what they want to learn about travel writing:

“I agreed to do a book on travel writing that will come out next year. It’s not the usual rundown on query letters and deadlines though. It’s going to be more about how “breaking into travel writing” is a lot different than it used to be and a map on to navigate the new digital age.

I’m not so bold to think I have all the answers, so I’ve got 52 writers from my network helping me out with their experiences, as well as a slew of editors with advice to share.

But it would be nice to hear what you’re dying to know. If you’ve ever wanted to make some money as a travel writer or you’re just curious about some aspect of it, what questions would you like to have answered?”

If you’re interested in helping out, leave a comment here.

November 11th, 2009

Written Road on Facebook and Twitter!

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

We love getting feedback and tips from out readers, so be sure to check out our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Just another way to stay in touch and up to date on everything that’s happening in the travel publishing industry!

November 10th, 2009

Translators and Language Specialists Needed for Where I’ve Been

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

Although this market lead isn’t directly related to travel writing, many traveler writers out there are also used to taking advantage of their language skills for translation services. This post is just for you!

The travel site Where I’ve Been is currently looking to expand its community by making it accessible in multiple languages. They’re looking for people capable of translating the following languages:

-Italian
-French
-Polish
-Portuguese
-Spanish
-Mandarin Chinese
-Arabic
-Russian
-Japanese

Email eddie[at]whereivebeen[dot]com for more information and to discuss compensation.

More info here.

November 3rd, 2009

AOL Wants Travel Bloggers for Miami, Charlotte, Boston & Honolulu

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

AOL Travel is currently seeking freelance city bloggers for Miami, Charlotte, Boston and Honolulu. It’s an ideal gig if you’ve got the lowdown on everything that’s happening in your city, particularly the following subjects: Nightlife, Food/Restaurants, Shopping, Arts & Culture & Hotel Beats.

Requirements:
Experience with travel industry with a focus on ‘real scoop’
Integrating links to guides in posts
Posts between 150-300 words
Must be familiar with HTML and capable of publishing own posts
Must live in the destination you will be blogging about
Must be able to turn around write witty, engaging posts quickly
5 posts per week

Submission requirements:
Samples of published writing clips (preferably including blog posts)
Resume and a list of qualifications and past writing/travel experience
Contact info, including permanent address
Length of time it takes you to turn around a blog post of 250 words on a current event
List of beats/destinations you have experience covering
References

How to apply:
Send an email with submission requirements to TravelSubmit[at]aol[dot]com

*The gig is paid based upon experience, starting at $15 per post.

August 24th, 2009

AOL Seeks Travel Bloggers; Various Locations

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

AOL Travel has an opening for Travel Bloggers in approximately 25 different markets.

Requirements:
a) # of posts per week: 1-2 posts per day (half free-form on what’s new and hot in city, half guided by assigned theme)
b) Integrating links to guides in posts.
c) Post length: between 150-300 words
d) Must be familiar with HTML and capable of publishing own posts
e) Must live in the destination you will be blogging about
f) Must be able to turn around write witty, engaging posts quickly
g) Experience with Travel industry with a focus on ‘real scoop’ for our end users, ‘Insider Information and Tips’ slant, ‘In The Know’.

Locations:
-Amsterdam
-Atlantic City
-Austin
-Boston
-Bahamas
-Cancun
-Charlotte
-Chicago
-Dallas
-Denver
-Ft. Lauderdale
-Honolulu
-Las Vegas
-London
-Los Angeles
-Miami
-Myrtle Beach
-New Orleans
-New York
-Orlando
-Paris
-Rome
-San Diego
-San Francisco
-Washington, DC.

The Pay: Competitive based on experience, starting at $15 per post.

To Apply:
-Send samples of published writing clips (preferably including blog posts), a resume and a list of qualifications and past writing/travel experience, contact info including permanent address, length of time it takes you to turn around a blog post of 250 words on a current event, List of beats/destinations you have experience covering, and references to TravelSubmit[AT]aol.com.

August 18th, 2009

Guide Gecko Announces Contest

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

I have been trying to avoid listing contests details on Written Road, but this one seems unusually cool. GuideGecko is an online travel bookstore that sells ebooks and PDFs of many rare, out of print, and hard to find travel guides, many of which are self published. For anyone that self publishes a guide (bloggers, aspiring writers, published authors) they are entered into a contest to win a trip to showcase their own guide at the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair in October. You will have the chance to smooze with publishers and maybe even sign a contract.

“Guides can be new publications or may have previously been published on GuideGecko or elsewhere. Participation is free and authors receive full royalties for their submissions. Authors also retain all copyrights of their work - we are as happy as you if you strike a good licensing deal on the fair and need to remove your guides from GuideGecko.”

Guides may include:
•Travel and Sightseeing Guides
•Food & Dining Guides
•Nightlife & Party Guides

Second and third prizes will also get your book on display at the fair, though you won’t be there in person. Entries must be recieved by September 24. Visit the contest homepage for more info.

August 14th, 2009

Free E-Book From Matador: 15 Paying Travel Magazines That Want Your Travel Writing

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

Over at Matador they’ve whipped up a pretty sweet PDF titled 15 Paying Travel Magazines That Want Your Travel Writing. Should be an excellent resource for anyone who is looking to get into their travel writing career or just needs a bit of inspiration for where to send queries.

All you have to do is put in your name and email and they’ll send you the free pdf download. Click here for more info.

August 7th, 2009

AFAR: A New Travel Magazine!!!

By Nicholas | Add a Comment »

Yesterday I received the premier issue of AFAR magazine in the mail. I was beyond impressed. There were travel stories about off beat international locals and there wasn’t a tie in to a Marriot resort to be found anywhere. There is a write up of South African Bunny Chow, a street food. An entire spread of just feet from around the world. Their feature on Morocco wasn’t about the new “it” spot in Marrakech, but a drive through the Atlas Mountains and interactions with Berber tribes. The back page features a story by Tim Cahill. It was extremely refreshing.

The magazine was conceived by the two founders, Joe Diaz and Greg Sullivan, over beer on the beach in Goa, India and is intended to represent the growing movement in experimental travel, which for Americans is generally a new concept. They have brought in a very talented group of editors who helped launch and run numerous successful publications. Having several assignments in the pipeline for AFAR I have been taken aback somewhat of how organized they are how much the concept really seems to mean to them. When every other magazine seems to be going down the drain, I really appreciate this. It makes it so much easier to be a writer when the editor is happy and believes in what they are doing.

The magazine is ambitious. For their six annual issues, they hope to have 300,000 subscribers by 2010 and also launch a website, books, radio, TV projects, and offer students yearlong study abroad scholarships. With most of the people I know rarely leaving Ohio, a concept like this is very welcome. The magazine officially hits newsstands August 18.