November 30th, 2008

Travel Writing and Editorial - one print editor’s utopian view of online travel content

By Kelly Pipes | 6 Comments »

Regular readers will know that my professional transition from print guidebook publishing to the web is still very much in its infancy. My experience is rooted in a world of well-established publishing schedules, editorial style guides, procedures and decades of travel writing experience embodied by a community of writers, plus translators, editors, photographers and factcheckers who are posted around the globe. But, rather than fighting against the tide of customer demand for online content, I’ve been taking baby steps beyond the constraints of print production. My personal and professional interest lies in working out where the writing and publishing skills of freelance print contributors and editors fits in amongst the ranks of Bloggers, Tweeters, social media content providers who are filling the web with words for free (or at least for a lot less than the standard fees paid in the print world).

These are early days of baby stepping and every now and again I feel like I’m bumping into chairs, but then somehow managing not to end up on my ass. Am I alone in feeling like that? Maybe many print contributors can empathise with this or maybe not. Anyway, I’ll happily share any enlightened moments that I have with you.

Last week, I decided that to being making sense of this mission I would need to start drafting my own ‘print editor’s utopian view of online travel content.’ Read the rest of this entry »

November 25th, 2008

Be part of the Make Travel Fair community

By Anna Brones | Add a Comment »

Travel has come to be associated with important global questions that deal with social issues, environment, and culture. One site, Make Travel Fair, is focused on engaging the travel community on just those issues, challenging users to truly interact with the world.

The site is currently looking for contributing writers, and although the position is unpaid, this is an excellent platform for those looking to break into the more socially and culturally conscious side of travel writing. And even if you don’t want to write for free, the site is worth a look because of its commitment of encouraging travel as a means of education.

What they’re looking for:
Material that encourages an appreciation of nature, history, culture, the fundamentals of life, exploring and developing a greater consciousness of our surroundings. Learning about the outdoors, the vast amount of history and knowledge that’s ingrained in local areas and appreciating regional food is one way to connect with this same energy and enthusiasm when at home.

How to contribute:
Sign-up on the Make Travel Fair site and start writing! Click here for more contributor guidelines. If you want to contact the editors before starting on a piece, you can do so here.

November 20th, 2008

Six Essential Multimedia Blogs

By Tim Shisler | Add a Comment »

Part three of how to create video without losing your shirt is coming next week. This week I’m passing along a few blogs I would recommend adding to your RSS reader. Of course this is only a partial list, so if you have any another other suggestions please, feel free to comment.

10,000 Words
10,000 Words is written by Mark S. Luckie, a print journalist who discovered his hobby of multimedia and his love for journalism could be combined to great effect. This blog offers journalists and web aficionados practical tips on how to best incorporate multimedia into their work. The site also culls the web for up and coming or underused technologies that enhance journalism.

Digital Photography School
Written by Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School provides simple tips to help digital camera owners get the most out of their cameras. The posts are phenomenal and the content top notch. If you have a digital camera, following this site is like taking multiple photography classes at once.

E-Media Tidbits
Poynter’s Amy Gahran edits a solid daily blog pointing to some of the best multimedia on the web.
Read the rest of this entry »

November 20th, 2008

Online Travel Content - movers and shakers get together

By Kelly Pipes | 2 Comments »

It’s certainly been a busy couple of weeks for the online travel community, with bloggers, developers, start ups and long-established travel companies chewing the cud together on the future of travel.

Last week, for example, the UK’s blogging community prised their fingers from their laptops for a get together, for the very first time, as a defined group. The UK blogger’s Blogcamp08 coincided nicely with London’s World Travel Market, giving bloggers a chance to network and debate with journalists, travel PR professionals and SEO experts. Things actually became heated at times as trained journalists jostled editorially with bloggers and PRs justified the baby steps that their clients are taking to influence the mix of reader generated content in social networks. Thankfully, the cooling qualities of the great British pint of lager eased the atmosphere, allowing a healthy level of business card swapping and mutual appreciation. If you want to follow the debates further the following bloggers have posted write ups of the evening; Travel Rants (the organiser), Sandwagon (yours truly), Travolution, Travelblather and The Trailbeater.

Blogcamp-the-sequel is on the cards. UK-based bloggers should look out for it and I’ll post details to Written Road as soon as I have them.

Then this week on the other side of the Atlantic, Read the rest of this entry »

November 18th, 2008

Road Junky 2008 Gonzo Travel Writing Contest: Hell Trips

By Anna Brones | 1 Comment »

This is no travel writing contest for romantic prose or inspirational stories of finding yourself. No, the Road Junky 2008 Gonzo Travel Writing Contest is looking for your worst stories, ones that make the reader cringe and say “wow, they made it through that!” Trips from hell, near-death experiences, tales of robbery and assault… it’s up to you to come up with the worst, and if you do, you could win $400.

Contest Guidelines:
1. Stories should be between 850-1500 words and send as .doc or .rtf files
2. No fiction
3. Enclose your name, age and nationality
4. Get to know Road Junky before you submit so that you know what kind of voice they’re looking for.
5. Deadline is December 31, 2008
6. If you do win, you will retain copyright but you will allow Road Junky exclusive rights, meaning you shouldn’t submit something you already wrote for somewhere else.

Email submissions to editor[at]roadjunky[dot]com with the words “2008 Travel Contest” in the subject.

What you can win:
First prize- $400
Second prize- $200
Third prize- $100

More info here.

November 14th, 2008

Virgin Media need Freelance Travel Web Writers

By Kelly Pipes | 5 Comments »

Times are likely to get a little harder for all of us, so I wanted to share this one with all Written Roaders. Definitely worth a pitch me thinks.

The gig
Michelle Smith at Virgin Media would like to hear from top-notch lifestyle writers. Are you one of these? Can you whip up well-crafted copy on the spot? If so, expert travel writers are needed to write engaging, on-brand copy for the Virgin Media’s website Read the rest of this entry »

November 13th, 2008

New Media Skills: Creating Video Part 2 – Video Editing Programs

By Tim Shisler | 2 Comments »

Though it’s overwhelming—and often impossible—to keep pace with the innovations in multimedia technology, the good news is that whether you understand them or not, these innovations level the playing field between consumers and professionals. This is the case with video cameras, and it’s also the case with the video editing software you’ll need to produce multimedia clips.

Each of the programs I’ve outlined below really deserve they’re own blog post, but since I’m working in this medium, a few hundred words will have to do. As always, I’m happy to respond to follow-up questions via E-mail or the comments field below.

For Apple Computers:

iMovie 08
Packaged in the iLife Suite $79 (Preloaded on new Apple Computers)

The Good: Compatible with most cameras and video file types. Also, its interface works seamlessly with iPhoto and iTunes for quick importing of other media. Projects can be exported directly to YouTube, iWeb, iDvd and a variety of video formats.

The Bad: Limited transition and audio editing capabilities may become restricting rather quickly. While its user-friendly, the interface is not standard within the video-editing world and it’s missing some editing staples that can be very handy. (IE: There is no timeline for edited video, just a series of thumbnails)

Overall Value: Ideal for novice editors and simple projects that don’t require much editing beyond a few select transitions and title sequences. If you are looking to learn non-linear editing at a low cost this is the ideal program for you.
Read the rest of this entry »

November 11th, 2008

November Press Trip to El Salvador

By Anna Brones | 5 Comments »

With the recent change of the clocks, November evenings certainly have gotten dark. Sounds like it’s time to start focusing on writing about warm weather destinations to get you out of the approaching winter blues. Luckily the Central American Tourism Board is offering a familiarization trip to explore El Salvador. If you’re interested in writing about El Salvador and can take a trip on a short notice, it’s worth considering.

When:
November 19-22

What:
Tour of various El Salvador attractions including Puerta del Diablo, craft stores and markets in Nahuizalco, coffee-growing town Salcoatitán, Lake Coatepeque and Volcanoes Complex National Park. Click here for the Word document with a more detailed description.

For more information contact Ana Beatriz Flores at AnaBeatriz.Flores[at]hillandknowlton[dot]com.

November 7th, 2008

New Media Skills: Creating Video Without Losing Your Shirt - Part 1

By Tim Shisler | 3 Comments »

Today I toured a million-dollar video production studio and once again have come to the conclusion that producing video can justifiably seem complicated to most people. Like sell-your-first-born-and-mortgage-the-house complicated. As I left the dark wonderland my head was spinning with the thought (and the cost) of it all. That is, until I remembered my own equipment–the stuff that costs a fraction as much and has landed me jobs at national magazines–and then I felt at ease, but still poor.

When getting into video production it’s important to remember that keeping things simple is okay. Every editor is different, but most just want high-quality clips that provide serviceable information and evergreen value to the website. I constantly talk to writers who are apprehensive about video, and usually by the end of the conversation they can’t wait to start experimenting on their own. The fact is, as a writer you may already have the intuitive skills you need to execute an editorial vision in video; all you’re probably lacking is the technical how-to.

Since video is much more complicated than audio slideshows, I feel it would be a disservice to just gloss over the big themes and ask you to figure stuff out on your own. So I’m breaking the topic up into three posts: cameras, editing programs, and accessories. In the future, I’ll explore different editorial concepts behind video direction, but I really feel that the main barrier for most people is the how-to element. If you have any direct questions please leave them in the comments sections below, or feel free to send me a direct email at timshisler [at] gmail [dot] com.

Video Cameras:

Type “buying a video camera” into Google and the resources are endless. Cameras range from a few hundred bucks to upwards of a hundred thousand dollars, and with multiple methods for actually recording video, every model is different. But don’t let that deter you: the options are empowering, and as a travel journalist finding the right camera is the most important avenue to success.
Read the rest of this entry »

November 6th, 2008

Learn from travel great at TRAVELLERS’ TALES FIRST FESTIVAL - 10% discount available

By Kelly Pipes | 2 Comments »

Jonathan Lorie, Director of Travellers’ Tales has just emailed his faithful following with details of the company’s first ever Festival.

It isn’t often that travel writers - wanna be and professional alike - get the chance to spend a weekend picking up tips of the trade and mingling with Michael Palin…not to mention John Simpson (BBC), Don McCullin (photojournalist), William Dalrymple (award-winning travel writer), Sara Wheeler (Lonely Planet), Steve McCurry (legendary photographer for Magnum and National Geographic), Alexander McCall Smith (reator of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency novels), Art Wolfe (American wildlife and wilderness photographer), Colin Thubron (author of, amongst other, Shadow of the Silk Road), Lyn Hughes (Wanderlust) and others. Read the rest of this entry »