Time for a facelift...

No...

Not me...

Although sometimes I look in the mirror and think maybe a little nip and tuck here and there wouldn't hurt!!

It's 'My Year of Getting Published' that's in for a facelift and re-do.

I'm going to look at design, structure, updating links, etc.

But the first step is to find a new blog name. A name that reflects this blogs character and mission...which is to provide information, resources, and community for new and established writers, especially those focusing on travel related issues.

I've got a few names floating around my head but I'm just not really sure...

Can you help me out?

Have a look at the names below and tell me what you think...




Vote for your favorite or leave a comment if you think of another more appropriate name for the blog.

Thanks

World Hum Roundtable...Part Two.

Last month I posted about a discussion over at World Hum amongst four successful travel writers - Terry Ward, Catherine Watson, Stephanie Elizondo Griest, and Liz Sinclair -about the pleasures and pitfuls of a woman traveling solo.

Since then, they have added two more posts - (De)Parting Words by Liz Sinclair and Hitting the Road by Catherine Watson - summing up why everyone should try solo travel.

In the words of Catherine Watson "...traveling alone forces you out of your comfort zone. It requires you to talk to people. And—a selfish reason, but a real one—it leaves your mind free. You don’t have to feel guilty or torn because you got interested in some bit of serendipity when you were supposed to meet your traveling companion and had to choose between pulling yourself away—or standing them up. The autonomy of this is amazing."

Nominations open for 'Top 10 Blogs for Writers'

Michael Stelzner at Writing White Papers is once again seeking nominations for his annual Top 10 Blogs For Writers .

Vote for your favorite writing blog by leaving a comment here. Nominations must be received by Nov. 30, 2007.

More travel writing opportunities...

Budget Travel magazine turns 10 next year and they are celebrating this anniversary by devoting the entire June 2008 issue to their readers. In other words, the readers will help write the magazine.

Here's how you can participate...

Take the cover photo contest

Submit your dream assignment

These are just a couple of the options that Budget Travel magazine is offering budding travel writers and photographers...

Check out the full details here.

Top 5 Weekly Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Busting Your Writing Rut

2. 9 Things I Learned About Travel Writing At Book Passage

3. How to Stick to Your Goals When Life Disrupts ‘Em

4. How-To Price Freelance Projects Successfully

5. Useful Links for Freelance Writers

Interview with a Travel Writer...Mark Hodson

This week’s interview is with London-based travel writer Mark Hodson.

A journalist for over 20 years, Mark now freelances for the Sunday Times. Specializing in travel, his articles range from practical travel tips (The Top 10 Travel Websites) to features (A Fairytale Setting in Slovenia).

Mark also runs Travel SEO, a company that provides search engine optimisation strategies for the online travel industry.

Hi Mark and welcome to My Year of Getting Published. Thanks for taking some time to chat with us.

1. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get started in
writing?

Towards the end of my philosophy degree I realised I ought to make
some career plans and I thought journalism sounded fun. A
particularly useless careers advisor tried to dissuade me, even
suggesting I might be too "thin skinned". That was really all the
encouragement I needed.

2. What do you consider your first "break" as a travel writer?

I had been in full-time journalism for about five years when I left a
job as a sub-editor to travel the world. I spent three years travelling in the winters and working summers at a newspaper in London. I wrote some travel articles about my experiences in Asia and Latin America. They were quite good for a beginner, but no editor would publish them because I wasn't a "known" writer. Finally, I found a sympathetic editor at The Financial Times in London and once I was published, other editors became interested.

3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into travel writing?

Study the publications you want to write for, so you know exactly
what they want, then tailor your proposals and submissions to their
style, content and readership. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Most
editors know what they like - they just want more of the same. And
don't make the mistake of trying to start at the top. Many people
think travel writing is all about the big reads, but editors also
need short pieces, newsy stories and "how to" guides.

4. What do you see as the future for travel writers in print media
and online ?

There will always be a demand for good writers, and good travel
writers, but today it's more important than ever to be nimble and
adapt to the changing media landscape. I think print media is in slow
decline, but it's not dead just yet.

5. Which travel writers and/or travel books have influenced you?

Video Night in Kathmandu by Pico Iyer worked for me.

6. As a writer and traveler, what are the biggest challenges you face on the road ?

Guilt. I try to banish all thoughts of my wife at home looking after
our two kids, but sometimes it's hard. (joke!).

7. Finally, what is your favorite place and why ?

India is hard to beat for its full-on sensory impact, but the key to
enjoying any place lies in the attitude of the individual traveller.

365 days later….

Wow! I just realized that today My Year of Getting Published turns ONE…



Seems like only yesterday that I decided to go out on a limb and announce to the world (ie cyberspace) that I was on a journey to become a freelance travel writer.

Here’s what I said (October 31, 2006)

“I’ve been saying for years that I am a writer. Problem is, I haven’t done much about it, expecting, I guess, someone to come along and say ‘want to write for us’. This year, I finally decided to do something about this desire to write - I started writing and reading and planning. A business plan was developed, I researched the business of freelance writing, created a website and started blogging. And now it is time to get published.

So this is ‘my year of getting published’ and it starts on Halloween night . Might as well feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Since then I have written 368 posts discussing my successes and failures, provided writing tips and resources, and generally rambling on…

Along the way I have learned a great deal, made lots of ‘blogging’ friends, and discovered the joys and trials of freelance writing. And I found other travel writers, many of whom were generous enough to offer tips and advice and even participate in my ‘Interview with a Travel Writer’ series..

I also discovered online writing.

Before My Year of Getting Published, my focus was tunnel visioned - trying to get published in print magazines and newspapers. Now I realize that there are just as many, if not more, writing opportunities online.

I can now call myself a ‘professional blogger’ with my paid writing gig over at Alzheimer’s Notes and Christchurch Tour Guide.

I feel that I have managed to dip my toes into the water but am still a long way away from being able to swim.

A BIG THANKS to everyone for spending time with me and my blog. Without you all, My Year of Getting Published would have quickly sunk. The support, comments, and help that been offered throughout the year has ensured the survival of the blog and my determination to continue pursuing my dream...

Stick around…there’s so much more to come.

So much more to learn…
So much more to discover…
So much more to share…