Comments

• 

  Michael Stewart December 30, 2009 at 7:21pm

  Looking for Fam trips for 2010......Michael Stewart
• 

  Max Pesling December 30, 2009 at 6:58pm

  OK, somebody on here said I ask good questions, so here goes (hope it's a good one!):
  
  As we head into 2010, what one thing can or should we travel writers do to help improve the sorry state of our profession? Have you ever thought, "If we could just do this, we'd get more money/assignments/respect/whatever?"
  
  If you think it's a dumb question, feel free to say that too.
• 

  Patrick @ www.safarichatter.com December 25, 2009 at 9:53pm

  Merry Xmas all you writers out there... stop by my safari blog sometime www.safarichatter.com for some insights...
• 

  Maralyn D Hill December 23, 2009 at 4:01am

  Some IFWTWA Australian members would like us to work on a press trip to Australia. Any PR people who have contacts please contact me. North American, European and Australian members would cover the world. Flights could be from selected gateways.
• 

  Buzzy Gordon December 19, 2009 at 5:37am

  Actually, as usual, Alan hit the nail on the head with his insightful advice:about "editors" (phishers?) who hide behind anonymity. Reluctance to identify one's company/publication -- or even to provide one's own last name -- does not bode well, as I discovered,
• 

  Sheila O'Connor December 19, 2009 at 5:26am

  Oh just to let everyone know, the job from Nancy was listed on the forum at www.travelwriters.com. If anyone needs a list of the other jobs that were posted there, just ask.

  TravelWriters
• 

  Sheila O'Connor December 19, 2009 at 5:23am

  Thanks for your reply Allan. Maybe it's my direct Scottish way that came across that I was attacking, if that is the case then my apologies, it was certainly not my intention. I have to say however if an editor has been mean to a writer then the writer has no obligation to protect that editor whatsoever. My thought would be more to protect *other writers* wholeheartedly from being mistreated by any editor. I would NOT have a problem talking about any mistreatment I had received from an editor, why should the editor get away with it? In any case I have contacted the editor Nancy directly re her jobs, so I will let the group know if I hear back from her. At least we are suitably warned but since I've never dealt with her and have no reason - yet - to doubt her, I will give her the benefit of that doubt. Will let you all know. I would say though that concrete examples are helpful, otherwise it's all just hearsay. I still say that this is a VERY kind group of people.
• 

  Allan Lynch December 19, 2009 at 4:59am

  Sorry Sheila, but I read your first to Buzzy as if you were out to get him. It's fair to ask if he could share more details, but not so fair to suggest he's trying to protect a market or be less-than-honest with the members but not offering more. This is a semi-pubic forum, you can't ask him to get too specific here. You could ask if he could share privately.
  
  I was on a fam this summer where in a three-hour van drive we shared names of people we would never travel with again with our PR host. One young man, an editor with a trade title, slipped the PR person a name written on a folded piece of paper. I was impressed. I thought that was the more professional way to handle the situation.
• 

  Sheila O'Connor December 19, 2009 at 4:07am

  Defensive on that reply Buzzy? Just a little? Perhaps? It's also a tactic to avoid actually answering the question by then attacking the one who posed the question. This is a kind forum, nobody is "out to get you". Take care and best wishes.
• 

  Judy Wells December 19, 2009 at 1:39am

  Thanks, Buzzy. If I hear back I'll be in touch. Appreciate your discretion and join you in incredulity that badmouthing an editor might eliminate competition. I'd ask what the world's coming to but I don't want to know!