Writers, editors, photogs, and bloggers share tips, leads, ideas, news, gripes. PR reps/journos ISO press releases/trips, see also "PR/Marketing." Opinions stated are not necessarily those of Tripatini.
What do you wear to Seven Magic Mountains?
Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation located in the Nevada desert, and the weather can be quite hot and dry. Therefore, it is recommended to wear comfortable and breathable clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals or sneakers. You may also want to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. It's also a good idea to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. While there is no strict dress code, it's important to dress appropriately for the weather and…
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Comments
Are the advertisers paying 20-year-old rates? Are the readers paying 20-year-old cover prices?
I totally agree with Mary Alice that I can't be bought for a fruit basket or upgrade; if an experience is not up to the standards our readers expect, we will tell it like it is. Ironically, most pubs don't want to hear it "like it is" anyway -- most published pieces are fluffy, feel-good narratives that ignore anything negative about the destination. So where is the objectivity, and the usefulness to the reader? We could all go on and on. I think Mary Alice's suggestion to use this forum to discuss these issues and seek common positions is a great idea.
Very happy to read some comments about national publications not accepting free travel. I'm faced with this dilemma right now for an upcoming trip. I'm being offered accomodations and travel. However, my publication will not accept my submission if they learn that I'm accepting "free" travel. The caveat for the "free" travel is a letter from the publication and assignment date. My submission will be one photograph for the travel section. The assignment sheet for this project is sent to me after they receive the photo. I have pitched the editors on a combination story and photos but so far no takers. It seems obvious to me that I cannot go on this trip. However, one person commented below that they take the "don't ask, don't tell routine". This seems very risky. Comments please.
So here's the deal: I agree with Jose, Jordan (shout-out! haven't seen you in ages!) and Ed about the rampant double standard in our profession. Like all of us, I can't be bought for a fruit basket/upgrade. Wouldn't have survived for more than three decades in this biz if so.
Remember years ago the new editor of Travel+Leisure saying that "we no longer take hosted trips; but if you have one to Destination X we'll happily pay the trainfare to Destination Y to do a story for us." Give me a break!
We continually fight the dabblers, those who have retired from brain surgery/the post office/society circuit and discover the great world of travel journalism! We all know that what you pay/don't pay for is exactly what you get. But with outlets folding right and left, and Web, magazine and other mediums not valuing what we do (even as what we do is a major revenue stream for all), there is only one thing we CAN do:
That's to band together for Excellence, for professionalism, for Experience. We have a major trust in our hands -- and would that the puppies running most outlets for travel reporting in all media knew that. That trust is to be honest, to let people who often save up for a year (or a lifetime) to go on a trip to ... whatever, know that what they read is coming from someone who has been there, done that, and can tell them what they can expect, warts, triumphs, insider info and all.
Shall we not get rid of the bellyaching about the hideous state of the industry and somehow band together to let media know how important this is? I think we're doing that in this forum. Let's continue. And David -- count me in next year for the Corte Madera meet!
We've gotta believe that Experience and Expertise will out. Perhaps not in this lifetime, but we must give it a unified try.
Courage to all,
Mary Alice
Closing date for the SiWC writing contest is Sept 7, 2009. Over $3,000 in cash prizes.
Space is Still Available for an Annual Travel Writing School, August 13-16, in Corte Madera, CA
Every August for the past eighteen years, the prestigious travel bookstore Book Passage, in Corte Madera, California, just outside San Francisco, has organized a conference on travel writing and travel photography led by some of the best-known names in travel journalism. The course is under the general supervision of Don George, formerly travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, and the faculty includes such worthies as Tim Cahill, founding editor of Outside Magazine; Larry Habegger, publisher of the Travelers' Tales series; Catherine Hamm, travel editor of the Los Angeles Times; Pauline Frommer, editor of Pauline Frommer's guides; Rolf Potts, travel columnist for Salon.com; novelist Isabel Allende; and several other important figures in travel books, magazines, newspapers, and websites.
This year's curriculum will include new workshops for advanced travel writers (taught by Tim Cahill) and guidebook writing (taught by Pauline Frommer), panels focusing on writing for the web, using social media and creating your own website, as well as several traditional and highly successful workshops and panels on writing for newspaper, magazine and book publication. There are also a number of photography workshops, panels and presentations, plus new offerings focusing on video and documentary work.
Openings remain for this year's conference, and persons interested in attending should look at the Book Passage website. You can also contact conference coordinator Kathryn Petrocelli by phone at tel. 800/999-7909, ext. 233, or by email at bpconferences@bookpassage.com. The cost of the four-day conference is $635.
Oh well.
Anyhow -- g'day to you all -- this looks like a very interesting new forum for discussion.
Moreover, as Ed noted, it's imperative that publications pay expenses in a timely manner if they expect anything remotely resembling unsullied "subjective" copy. And let's be honest: How much does one's mood affect any given experience? We're only human. :-) Why else are PR flaks, tourism honchos, hotel GMs, wine distributors, et al generally genial?
It also depends on the assignment. If you write a travel guide there is NO way a publication can reimburse every legit expense if you're doing your job and covering all the territory: hotels, restaurants, shops, sightseeing attractions, recreational options, nightlife, et al.
As for wine writing -- it's all free, yet never free of politics. I've judged several wine competitions -- yes, the initial tasting is blind, but then staff minions urge you to up a silver medal to gold, a gold to double gold. Then in the Finals, the competition director (who knows the wines' identities) might well request another tasting if s/he isn't pleased with the outcome.
As much as we like to prattle about separation of church and state, the truth is that advertising has always dictated to editorial in varying degrees. The job is tough enough without "civilians" casting aspersions and impugning our integrity. The only accommodation (no pun intended) I'll ever make is simply to omit a property or restaurant from a destination piece if I really hate the joint, assuming it isn't a blatant tourist trap. We rarely have enough space to include negative write-ups anyway (and btw, when was the last time you read a negative travel piece in the Times?!?!?). Regardless, the understanding has always been that the host isn't immune to criticism -- and I've bitten the hand that fed me many a time when it was deserved.