Tag Archives: forums

Travel Writing Communities Round-Up

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A great way to get involved and motivated with travel writing is to network. There are numerous online choices to find networks of travel writers.

Nearly every travel writer now has a Twitter account and it’s easy to follow and then start conversations with them.

If you’re looking for a friendly and easier to approach community, today I’ll highlight a few around the web where you can get involved and start talking about travel writing.

Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) – TBEX is a free community with over 4,000 members. Its members are primarily travel bloggers. Discussions range from help setting up a WordPress blog to advice on monetizing your blog. TBEX also puts on an annual conference, held this year in Vancouver.

Travel Writers.com BBS – A reasonably active forum of aspiring and existing travel writers discussing all things relating to the topic.

International Society for Travel Writing – Membership with the ISTW brings you a monthly newsletter as well a subscription to “Studies in Travel Writing”. The ISTW also puts on occasional conferences. Annual dues are $90.

SATW – The Society of American Travel Writers boasts over 1300 members and has been around since 1956. In order to join however you must earn a significant amount of money through your writing. More details on being able to join can be found here: http://bit.ly/fsKdSL. There is a $250 application fee and annual dues are $130.

Writing Blogs: Why We’re Missing the Boat

I’ve had great volumes to say about what to do and what NOT to do as a freelance writer or editor. I’ve been called bitter, caustic, angry and generally too stern when talking about how to avoid the kinds of freelance writing mistakes common to noobs and pros alike. I’ve given the benefit of my experience, I’ve ranted, I’ve made fun of the goofballs in the industry, I’ve posted some dead-on predictions and some posts that were off the mark.

But one thing I’ve NEVER done up to now is write anything directly critical of writing blogs or bloggers. Why should I? We’re all in the same boat, trying to help each other out. Why bite the hand that feeds?

Because I’ve suddenly discovered that writing blogs are missing the boat in a very important area. Not ALL writing blogs are completely at sea, a couple of shining examples come to mind of how we could be closer to doing it right. But for the most part, we’ve lost the plot. Why? Continue reading Writing Blogs: Why We’re Missing the Boat