Travel Writing News & Opportunities

Hello, Hola, Bonjour, Ciao!

In the spirit of sisterhood and collective upliftment, I am writing to share some travel media related information that recently came my way. I publish this newsletter approximately 3-4 times per year with the goal of informing the African American travel media community about upcoming events, news, calls for submission, residencies and updates on my travel work. Here’s hoping your find something interesting or useful within.

If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive the newsletter in the future, just send an email to elaineruthlee@gmail.com.

Awakening the global heart, Elaine Lee

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To see the most recent version of the newsletter, just visit the link below!

Winter 2020 Newsletter

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/b8M-K3wec

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Fall Newsletter 2019 Edition

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/a6MmiLbpJ

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Spring Newsletter 2019 Edition

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/29MdI0qlX

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July 30. 2018 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/5MJfNDpE

Here is an excerpt from it:

Nomadness Travel Tribe presents “Audacity” is a day long, interactive festival for travelers of color. September 8th, Oakland Ca.  For more info or to volunteer visit: http://www.audacityfest.com

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The February 20. 2018 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/0M6t5_kS

Here is an excerpt from it:

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November 28, 2018 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/87MTIwety

Here is an excerpt from it:

Women in Travel Summit is excited to invite dynamic and ambitious speakers to apply to present at WITS ‘19 from May 3-5, 2019 in Portland, Maine!

Check out the new movie, “Green Book,” starring Mahershala Ali.

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November 26, 2017 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/1L-wyw82

Here is an excerpt from it:

Nowhere Magazine Travel Writing Contest-Deadline: December 15, 2017 Entry Fee: $20 Cash Prize: $1,000  Visit the website for guidelines.

http://nowheremag.com/contests

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June 13, 2017 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/dLovqcq2

Here is an excerpt from it:

Oprah Winfrey contracts with former Essence editor-in-chief, to create a black reality travel show called “Checking Inn”. It will air on OWN in the fall. Checking Inn, follows Greenwood as she runs Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns, the most successful B&B business on the East Coast. http://realscreen.com/2017/03/28/own-orders-docuseries-released-checking-inn/

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February 2017 edition

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/cLeqqt-1

Here is an excerpt from the February 2017 edition.

Casting Notice for a black travel reality show from Adam Johnson

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To see the December newsletter, just visit the link below.

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/2LSmrrfp

Here is an excerpt from the December 2016 edition!

Black Caucus of the American Library Association-Self-Publishing Literary Awards – Deadline: February 17, 2017 – Website: bcala.org – email address: gladys.bell@hamptonu.edu – Two prizes of $500 each are given annually for a poetry e-book and a fiction e-book by an African American writer self-published in the United States during the previous year. Submit an e-book self-published in 2016 by February 17. There is no entry fee. Call, e-mail, or visit the website for complete guidelines.

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To see the September newsletter, just visit the link below.

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/8LSd4RdZ

Here is an excerpt from the September 2016 edition!

Griots Republic is publishing an anthology on black travel. They are inviting contributions. The book is an anthology and it is a big, beautiful, full-color, 200 + page hardcover coffee table book and resource on black travel and contains the best from our writers, as well as over 150 large format photos and stories written specifically for the book. As a black travel resource we are looking to include comprehensive information on the black travel groups and bloggers in the travel sphere.If you are interested in having your company’s information included in the book, then please send us the following information by September 15th, 2016

1. A brief written summary about your organization/blog. ( 100 – 250 words Max.)
2. Your logo (a high resolution .png)
3. Your contact information (website, email, IG, FACEBOOK, TWITTER)
4. (OPTIONAL) If you have a dope travel photo that you would like included in the book, then please feel free to submit that as well (you must be in the photo). This may be an opportunity to further showcase and highlight the brand. If including your photo, then please send the original, high-res photo and complete the electronic release form (Photo Release Form) as well.

Kind Regards, Alexandra Stewart, Alexandra@GriotsRepublic.com/  www.BlackTravel.com

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Here is a link and excerpt from the July 2016 edition and below that are actual newsletters.

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/bLPw-WwB

Calls for Submission

• TravelNoire.com is accepting applications for paid fellowships – notice sent 8/9 and applications due 8/14/16 travelnoire.workable.com/
• The San Francisco Presidio Trust has four internships (archaeology, education, exhibition, and public programs) that we are starting to recruit for. They are year-long, residential internships where the interns get to live and work in the national park of the Presidio. The interns get free housing and a small stipend to cover their food and other expenses.https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByTtF2j1Im3zZnk3Q3lsejUyMUk/view
• Travelers’ Tales: The Best Women’s Travel Writing Anthology is accepting submissions until 8/31/16 laviniaspalding.com/blog/call_for_submissions_the_best_womens_travel_writing_volume_11
• Women in Travel Summit WITS is accepting applications for speakers at their next national conference. The deadline is October 18th. sheswanderful.com/witsummit/now-open-wits-17-speaker-applications/North
• American Travel Journalists Association NATJA is pleased to announce that the 25th Annual Awards Competition is now in full swing. You can get all the details on how to enter, as well as guidelines, categories, and prize list at: natja.org/awards.In 2016, the entry period starts August 1 and runs through September 30. The qualification period for published content is September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016.
• Rick Steve’s has ongoing request for radio interviews subjects and questions. ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio/interviewsBATW Planet Earth Awards 2017 for  Best Travel Article or Essay for Planet Earth – entries due by August 15, 2016 – for more info visit:batw.org/batw-planet-earth-awardsNational Geographic Travel & Expeditions – recently launched a job search for a Senior Vice President of Marketing. Its a WDC based jobNomad Magazine always looking for beautiful and interesting stories to publish in NOMADS.  For more info visit: nomadsmagazine.com/submissions

2/22/16 newsletter!

Calls for Submission

2016 Nominations Being Accepted for African Diaspora World Tourism Awards – 2016 Award Nominations are open for Leaders and Professionals who have made Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Black History and Cultural Heritage that has Positively Affected Tourism (Nominations are due by March 1, 2016. For more info contact KPope@AfricanDiasporaTourism.com or visit: africandiasporatourism.com
Rick Steves’ Radio Recording Sessions: Feb. 22–26, 2016 -“Tell us what you’d like to ask our guests by selecting a topic from our interview schedule and submitting your comment and contact information.As a thank you gift, we’ll mail a copy of any one of my guidebooks to those who join us on the air. You’ll hear these interviews in the next few months on the Travel with Rick Steves broadcasts on public radio, and in our weekly podcasts” ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio/interviews
Eleventh Annual Solas Awards for Best Travel Story of the Year is open for Entries ($1000 prize) Deadline is September 21, 2016. besttravelwriting.com
Survivor show’s casting Firm is seeking ELITE MALE & FEMALE COMPETITORS: If you’re an adrenaline junkie, highly competitive and have a BIG personality – this is the show for you! To apply visit: theCastingFirm.com/survive Or email Castings@theCastingFirm.com
2015-16 SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition ENTRY DEADLINE: APRIL 01, 2016 – betternewspapercontest.com/LTTravelJournalismContest
46 Literary Magazines To Submit To – letswriteashortstory.com/literary-magazines
Africa Specialist – Program Coordinator, Bushtracks Expeditions – info.bushtracks.com/careers
Nomad Magazine always looking for beautiful and interesting stories to publish in NOMADS. For more info visit: nomadsmagazine.com/submissions
Travel Designer Position at Rothschild Safaris with opportunity for traveling abroad rothschildsafaris.com
Travel Trade and Travel Writing Events

Women in Travel Summit 2016 – The first and only travel blogging summit by and for women. MARCH 18-20, 2016 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – HOTEL IRVINE
sheswanderful.com/witsummit

Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) is having their upcoming conference, April 23 – 30, 2016. The conference will take place on a 7 day cruise of the Mexican Riviera, which will include stops at Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. TPOC is the leading black travel professional association in the USA. For more info, visit their website at tpocassociation.com

African Diaspora World Tourism (ADWT) Awards and Travel Expo, the next ADWT- awards event will take place on April 15-17th, 2016 in Atlanta, Ga. africandiasporatourism.com
World Travel Market held in Cape Town, South Africa, April 6-8, 2016 wtmafrica.com
The Africa Travel Association (ATA), in partnership with the African Union Mission to the United States and Global Strategies for Good, will launch the ATA Aviation, Travel & Trade Summit in Atlanta, GA April 17-18, 2016. .http://www.africatravelassociation.org/ATA-Event.asp?id=3;23
The 2016 Power of Words Conference: Begin with YES! will be held August 12th-14th, 2016 at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine. tlanetwork.org/conference
Press Trips/Residencies

Residencies for Writers in 2016
aerogrammestudio.com/2016/01/22/residencies-for-writers-2016

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is hosting several individual or small group press trips for journalists on assignment in 2016. Four experiential nights in the heart of the Serengeti, tailored to your schedule. Parool Shah, parool@sheiladonnelly.com:parool@sheiladonnelly.com Sheila Donnelly & Associates-http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=35105329&msgid=663691&act=BREK&c=1071643&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fourseasons.com%2Fserengeti%2F

The Italian association of Skiing Journalists is organizing this year’s International Championship of Skiing Journalists (SKIJI) in March 14-20 in Sestriere, Piedmont, Italy, and is looking to invite two American journalists to take part in the competition. The Italian association would pay their stay/racing fees and all but they would have to pay for their trip from the US to Turin, Italy. The two prerequisites are that they are working journalists and good skiers Anyone interested? If so, email paul.beban@gmail.com
Travel Tips

Five articles on traveling alone from Afar Magazine.http://email.afar.com/view/53448def899249e1cc97f8fb3mosh.a21g/7389a252 and another one in verve magazine – http://www.vergemagazine.com/travel-intelligence/editors-desk/1507-q-a-part-1-why-does-solo-female-travel-matter.html

Travel Writing Tips

16 Professional New Year’s Resolutions in 2016 For Writers That You Should Actually Keep, and provides resources to help. My favorite is #2: Write something every day.“Don’t know what to write about?” Here are tools and resources to help.http://blog.writersdomain.net/2016/01/25/16-in-2016-new-years-resolutions-for-writers
Writing Walking Women
facebook.com/writingwalkingwomen/?fref=ts
Travel Bloggers Exchange
facebook.com/TravelBloggersExchange
How to Get Your Book Published in 7,000 Easy Steps. michellecoxauthor.com
What do editors of Yahoo Travel, Nat Geo Intelligent Traveler, and two airline magazines want to see in their inbox? And what annoys them to death?
travelwriting2.com/what-top-travel-editors-want-from-freelancers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TravelWriting2%20

The Struggle Is Real — The Reality of Travel Writing
huffingtonpost.com/david-duran/the-struggle-is-real-the-_b_8482092.html
Elaine’s News, Travel Trade Info & Misc.

I will be giving a talk on African American Travel History at the upcoming Travel Professionals of Color’s national Conference in Los Angeles, Ca 4/20/2016
I will be on an international travel panel at the upcoming Women in Travel Summit 2016 MARCH 19, 2016 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA
I have been invited by the editor of Sunset Magazine to join again the judge’s panel for their travel awards program. The results were featured in the 2016 August edition of the magazine.
An excerpt from an interview with me is featured in a recent Root 100 Black History Month article. Its a travel piece written by Tracey Hopkins. The 5 Best Black History Travel Destinations. theroot.com/articles/culture/2016/02/the_5_best_black_history_travel_destinations.html
Does anyone know of a White House tour organized by an African American tour company??? if so, please share it by contacting diswalker2@comcast.net
George Stone Appointed Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic Travel Magazine – press.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/27/george-stone-appointed-editor-in-chief-national-geographic-travel
5 Exciting Reasons Why You Should Invest In Africa’s Agribusiness Industryhttp://financialjuneteenth.com/5-exciting-reasons-why-you-should-invest-in-africas-agribusiness-industry-now

http://shoutout.wix.com/so/2LCCSK8r?cid=8f74effe-c457-4d80-9401-904203ec9082#/main

11/5/15

Sent 8/30/15

Hola, bonjour, ciao, hello,

I hope this message finds you in good health and good spirits.

In the spirit of sisterhood and collective upliftment, I am writing to share some travel related information that recently came my way.

You can also find this info on my website at: https://www.ugogurl.com/blog/travel-writing-opportunities where I will leave it until my next edition. I regret the crude formatting of this missive but hopefully you will find some news you can use.

I dedicate this e-message to the memory of Linda Cousins-Newton, who recently spiraled forth into the ancestral realm. Linda was the first contributor to my travel anthology “Go Girl”. She was a true cybersister, gifted storyteller, mystic, talented author, racewoman, traveler, devoted wife, friend and mother. I pray she is being met by a welcoming presence and that she is soaring freely in the heart of God.

Calls for Submission

Women In Travel Summit welcomes wanderful women of all kinds as attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at their upcoming conference 3/18-3/20 2016, in Irvine CA, 10/1/15 submission deadline. http://www.sheswanderful.com/witsummit/why-intersectionality-is-important-for-wits-16-and-why-we-need-your-help/
· The Adventure Travel Trade Association is proud to present the second year of the Adventure in Motion short film competition. Short films that inspire viewers to experience adventure travel are encouraged to enter the contest which runs from August 4 – September 8, 2015. The winner will be announced on September15th. http://www.adventure.travel/film-contest/?utm_source=ATTA+%26+AdventureTravelNews&utm_campaign=7b5c71ea03AiM_Contest_Opens_Today_8_04_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1e08e536bd-7b5c71ea03-412686997

Fellowships/Grants/Jobs

· Global Investigative Journalism Network Need a change? We’ve updated GIJN’s popular Grants and Fellowships guide. There are now more than 60 opportunities for journalists listed, from short-term workshops to year-long sabbaticals, from help to report a story overseas to work on an hour-long documentary. More at: http://gijn.org/resources/grants-and-fellowships.

· Africa Program Director | Wildland Adventures http://careers.adventuretravel.biz/jobs/7428510/africa-program-director-wildland-adventures
· Becoming a digital nomad is quickly becoming one of the easiest ways to work abroad. These careers may be your ticket to becoming location independent.

http://www.vergemagazine.com/work-abroad/articles/1528-top-jobs-for-the-outwardly-mobile.html

A vacancy announcement for Foreign Service Social Worker – Limited Non-Career Appointment will open on September 01, 2015. The announcement will close on September 16, 2015. U.S. State Department
Travel Events

· A Black travel conference hosted by Nomadness will be held in NYC 9/26/15. Its a one day conference that brings people together in the realms of international art, music, food, entrepreneurship, and much more! http://nmdnconference.com/
NMDN
African Travel Association/ATA’s 40th Annual World Congress will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from November 9-14, 2015. http://www.africatravelassociation.org/ATA-Event.asp?id=3;6
· 2015 Go Global Expo – Dates for 2015 are:
Toronto, Sept 19-20
Montreal, Sept 26
Boston, Sept 27

http://www.letsgoglobal.ca/

• African Diaspora World Tourism Awards gala event will take place April 16, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia

· Adventure Travel World Summit is in Alaska next year, September 2016 https://www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/summit/alaska-2016/

Travel Writing News

• There was a recent article on black travel in the New York Times entitled “Black Travel Groups Find Kindred Spirits on Social Networks” by Ashley Southall http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/travel/black-travel-noire-nomadness.html?_r=0 ” (excerpt)What are you? South African?” the man finally said. When I told him we were American, he asked again, “South African?” This kind of encounter with incredulity is a recurring scene for black Americans traveling to far-flung destinations, and their experiences led to the creation of the Nomadness Travel Tribe, an invitation-only collective of more than 10,000 globe-trotters spread out over 36 countries.

· Sistahs Will Travel: Six Travel Sites for Black Women to Inspire Your Wanderlust
Read more: http://theculture.forharriet.com/2015/07/sistahs-will-travel-six-travel-sites.html#ixzz3fkJyxSpf

· Travelling while African by Martha Mukaiwa. As a black African travelling abroad you always come with more baggage than what you stowed on the flight over. http://thisisafrica.me/travelling-african
Instagram for Travel Writers and Photographers http://www.batw.org/tips-resources/lee-daley_august-2015/

Press trips

Press Trip Opportunities from DCI Announced! Development Counsellors International (DCI) is excited to share 2015 press trip opportunities from all of our destination clients! Watch this 20-minute webinar to learn what’s brewing for 2015 and to plan out your editorial research travel schedule.

Highlights include:

• Exploring California’s islands

• Summer fun in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country

• Louisville’s urban bourbon trail

• North Carolina’s culinary adventures

• Eco-adventures in The Palm Beaches, Florida

If any of the destinations featured pique your interest, please email Malcolm Griffiths at malcolm.griffiths@aboutdci.com. No phone calls please.

Travel News

On May 16, the Sierra Club elected Aaron Mair of Schenectady, New York, as its new president. An epidemiological-spatial analyst with the New York State Department of Health, Mair brings more than three decades of environmental activism and over 25 years as a Sierra Club volunteer leader to his position as the Sierra Club’s first African American president.

Misc.

· Help for people with Airline woes – https://www.getairhelp.com

· Story about People Who Travel Alone – “There’s nothing quite like waking up by yourself in an unfamiliar place with nothing to do but explore. It’s simultaneously invigorating and unnerving. For more visit: http://elitedaily.com/life/travel-alone-wise/1131083/
· “Why am I compelled to write?… Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me. By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it. I write because life does not appease my appetites and anger… To become more intimate with myself and you. To discover myself, to preserve myself, to make myself, to achieve self-autonomy. To dispell the myths that I am a mad prophet or a poor suffering soul. To convince myself that I am worthy and that what I have to say is not a pile of shit… Finally I write because I’m scared of writing, but I’m more scared of not writing.” Gloria E. Anzaldúa
· 4 Self-Publishing Myths That Are Keeping You Down http://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/12/07/warning-these-4-self-publishing-myths-are-keeping-you-down/

· “We Said Go” Travel Writing Contest – deadline has just passed but you might want to get on their mailing list for next year. http://wesaidgotravel.com/writing-contest/

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5/19/15

Hola, bonjour, ciao, hello,

I hope this message finds you well.

In the spirit of sisterhood and collective upliftment, I am writing to share with you some travel related information that recently came my way.

Hopefully, you will find something useful or interesting herein.You can also find this info on my website at: https://www.ugogurl.com/blog/travel-writing-opportunities where I will leave it until my next edition.

Calls for Submission

• Smithsonian Journeys has a new travel quarterly that focuses on cultural travel: http://www.magazine.org/industry-news/press-releases/member-press-releases/smithsonian-enterprises-announces-new-publication – Smithsonian magazine is accepting unsolicited proposals from established freelance writers for features and some departments. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/contact/article-submit-print-magazine/
• The Underground Railroad Free Press Prizes is accepting nominations for its awards program. The purpose of the Underground Railroad Free Pressprizes is to recognize and honor the most outstanding contributions to contemporary Underground Railroad work in leadership, preservation and advancement of knowledge. http://urrfreepress.com/#Prizes
• I regret I that I found so few calls for submission. Hopefully you will find new places to submit your work via some of the webzines and magazines listed in the news section below.

Press Trips

· China Fam trip for trip planners. October 5-15, 2015 -Citslinc International, Inc., www.citslinc.org
108 N. Ynez Ave., # 205, Monterey Park, California 91754, USA Phone: (626) 571-0616 • Fax: (626) 571-7916 • E-mail: citslinc@yahoo.com

· 21 Residencies for Writers in 2015 http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2015/01/08/residencies-for-writers-2015/

Travel Writing Events

The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is a global network of journalists who cover the hospitality and lifestyle fields, and the people who promote them. Annual conference in Montreal, Canada September 5 –8, 2015 http://ifwtwa.org/

Travel Writing Tips/News

1. Black Enterprise Feature Story in May! Adventure Seeker: How Nomadness Tribe’s Evita Robinson Launched Global Travel Movement http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/evita-robinson-nomadness-travel-tribe-founder-tips-advice-passion-purpose-monetize/

2. International Travel Rising For Black American http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/international-black-travelers-on-the-rise/54b434ef02a7604f9f00003f

3. Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation’s 1st Black CEO, Navigates Cruise Lines to $1.5 Billion in Profit.

Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation’s 1st Black CEO, Navigates Cruise Lines to $1.5 Billion in Profit

Arnold Donald, Carnival Corporation’s 1st Black CEO, Navigates Cruise Lines to $1.5 Billion in Profit

4. Ten Travel Bloggers of Color You Should Follow By Bani Amor http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/01/10-travel-bloggers-of-color-you-should-follow.html

5. Twelve black travel accounts on instagram that will quench your wanderlust

http://blavity.com/these-12-black-travel-accounts-on-instagram-will-quench-your-wanderlust/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Blavity&utm_content=These+12+Black+Travel+Instagram+Accounts+Will+Quench+Your+Wanderlust

6. Self-Portrait Of The Artist As Ungrateful Black Writer: No, I’m not happy to “just be here.” Racism doesn’t vanish the moment we set foot into the ivory towers and glittering soirees of the literati. http://www.buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/self-portrait-of-the-artist-as-ungrateful-black-writer#.bc2MzjW7DK

7. Eight Tips For Brown Girl Indie Authors Aspiring To Make Amazon’s Best Selling Lists – http://madamenoire.com/509042/8-tips-brown-girl-indie-authors-aspiring-make-amazons-best-selling-lists/?utm_source=MadameNoire+Newsletters&utm_campaign=77ce3e47de-MadameNoire_Biz7_2_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c17160abd1-77ce3e47de-131570093

8. http://travelnoire.com – a Black travel website for the global community of black travelers

9. Diary of a Traveling Black Women is an international travel guide that seeks to motivate Black women to travel internationally. https://www.facebook.com/TravelingBlackWomen

10. Black Girl, Latin World – Where fierceness, afrolatinidad and art take center stage – http://blackgirllatinworld.com/

11. Noir guides has a new black travel book on North Carolina http://www.noirguides.com

12. Dream of Living Abroad? 5 International Jobs You Can Apply for ASAP http://www.levo.com/articles/career-advice/5-awesome-jobs-if-you-want-to-live-abroad

13. Seven countries where Americans can study at universities, in English, for free (or almost free) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/10/29/7-countries-where-americans-can-study-at-universities-in-english-for-free-or-almost-free/?tid=sm_fb

14. Why Travel Makes You Grow http://www.raptitude.com/2014/09/why-travel-makes-you-grow/

15. Passports With Purpose was founded as a way to build community among travel bloggers and to give back to the places we, as travelers, visit. http://passportswithpurpose.org/

16. Girls That Roam is an online travel magazine and community for independent globetrotting women – See more at: http://girlsthatroam.com

Travel Writing Tips

· Best apps and tools for recording phone or Skype interviews! https://ijnet.org/en/blog/best-apps-and-tools-recording-phone-or-skype-interviews.

· Broadcasting Live Video “On the Road” With an iPhone and an Internet connection, you can shoot and post video clips to YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook while traveling. http://bit.ly/1EJlnXJ

· Self publishing info: If you’re interested in or are already self-publishing, you’ll want to read results of the yearly Publishing Service Index. There’s a lot to ponder, including the surprising news that Kindle has fallen from #1 to #3 among self-published authors. Here’s the link: http://nblo.gs/11OGwt

· The Great Events Media Guide 2015 provides you with great local and regional media coverage for your events. We include all Sunday and daily newspapers in your local area, your entire state, surrounding states and the entire USA. http://mckenzienewsservice.com/program/more/great_events_media_guide_2015.htm

· Galleycat – is made up of nine industry-leading, continuously-updated websites covering the inner workings the media industry: from social media to TV news; from advertising to PR; book publishing, web publishing, print, digital, newspapers, magazines and radio. http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/

· North American Travel Journalists Association http://www.natja.org/

Misc.

· Skiplagged (https://skiplagged.com)shows people how to find lower airfares using an insider strategy that’s been around for years. It works so well United is suing the founder of the skiplagged site. http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/hobica/2015/01/06/skiplagged-hidden-city-ticketing/21290655/

Elaine’s News

Good news, I was recently invited to be the keynote speaker at the 2015 annual African American Travel Conference near Chicago on April 15th. The African American Travel Conference (AATC) is an association of 2,500 travel planners, the second largest association of African American travel professionals. http://www.aatconline.com
It was an honor and sacred privilege to share my speech entitled “In celebration of African American Travel: From the Slaveship to the Spaceship.” There was an accompanying slide show that showcased African American travel heroes past and present. I also highlighted some new and exciting things happening in the world of the African American traveler.

More good news, I am featured in the June edition of Prevention Magazine, in a story entitled “Outside Chance”. The article highlights the journeys of seven women adventure travelers. What a thrill to have my travel lifestyle showcased in this publication. Prevention is the nation’s leading healthy lifestyle magazine with an audience of 13 million readers. It just hit the newsstand yesterday. I welcome your checking out the story and if you are so inclined, please send me your comments and I will pass it along to the writer of the story, who has just accepted a job as the health editor of “O” magazine. If you have any great pitch ideas, feel free to share them with me and I will pass them onto her as well.

As you may remember, I was invited by the editor of Sunset Magazine to join the judges panel for their new travel awards program. Well, we met in February, made our decisions and their June issue showcases out findings!!! Looking forward to attending the big celebration in June.

Living courageously and victoriously,

Elaine Lee
elaineruthlee@gmail.com

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9/13/14Hola, bonjour, ciao, hello,I hope this message finds you well. In the spirit of sisterhood and collective upliftment, I am writing to share with you some travel related information that recently came my way.Hopefully, you will find something useful or interesting herein.Good news, I was recently invited by the editor of Sunset Magazine to serve as a judge on their travel awards panel. The Sunset Travel Awards will honor excellence and innovation in the tourism industry across the 13 Western states, British Columbia, and Alberta. The awards recognize achievement in lodging, dining, cultural tourism, outdoor adventure,environmental stewardship, and other categories.The awards will be made in June of 2015.http://www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards-judgesLifting as I climb,Elaine Lee___________________________________ Calls for Submission Are you interested in telling your Expat story? We are accepting non-fiction, first person narratives for Women of Color Living Abroad (deadline posted below) The editor is seeking original contributions from women of color who live, work, and/or study outside their country of origin for a collection of first person, non-fiction short stories. Submissions must be 3000 to 5000 words and may include topics involving life/living abroad, traveling, cultural adaptation, and relationship, spirituality, leaving home, repatriation, dating, adventurous eating, pros and woes of living abroad. Submission Deadlines and Tentative Release Dates Please submit your work here or by emailing it to expatwomenofcolorbook@gmail.com. All submissions MUST be received by mid-night on October 20, 2014. If your submission has been accepted you will receive an acceptance letter with further instruction by November 30, 2014. The tentative release date is May of 2015. http://www.expatwomenofcolor.com/%23!submission/c6iu#!submission/c6iu_________________________________ Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship 2015-2016 Competition Deadline: October 14, 2014 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time http://www.us.fulbrightonline.org/fulbright-nat-geo-fellowship __________________________________ Director Travel, Tourism & Conservation needed at the World Wildlife Fund World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Director Travel, Tourism & Conservation. The incumbent directs, plans, markets, and oversees WWF’s Member Travel Program. The program provides Mission-centered educational travel opportunities for 4,500 individuals annually; generates unrestricted license and service revenues; and acquires new members and major donor prospects. http://careers.adventuretravel.biz/jobs/6415672/director-travel-tourism-conservation-15008?utm_source=ATTA+%26+AdventureTravelNews&utm_campaign=ab838948ec-AdventureTravelNews_NOW&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1e08e536bd-ab838948ec-412686997 AABoomers.com has a new website and they are looking for contributors to their travel section. For more info contact – Lois-Ann Clark, Publisher http://www.AABoomers.com publisher@AABoomers.com or brainchildlois@yahoo.com 770-879-9954 Akili Dada is a leadership incubator investing in some of Africa’s most innovative young women changemakers to meet the urgent need for more African women in decision-making roles. Email: info@akilidada.org -http://www.akilidada.org/ We are currently casting hosts who will take us through the most interesting parts of cities in a short time span for a new show based on the popular New York Times column “36 Hours.” We are searching for inquisitive, insightful experts who have a unique perspective on the world around them. The host should be comfortable speaking with anyone from to important cultural figures to city locals in order to show an audience a true picture of a location. Travel Channel “36 Hours” Host ______________________________________ Press Trips Walk Japan Fall Walking Trips for U.S. Based Journalists Seeking to place qualified U.S. journalists within their targeted outlets on upcoming press trips/assignments/stories with Walk Japan for fall 2014 trips. We are specifically looking for journalists interested in Kumano Pilgrimage Tour and Nakasendo Way Tour. Walk Japan appeals to an active, international traveler with a 35+ age clientele. Please review the website (www.WalkJapan.com ) to gain a thorough understanding of the product to ensure we are a match for targeted audiences listed below.Send pitches, queries and links to clips to Margot Black at Hello@BlackInkPR.com. Kindly reference “Walk Japan” in title bar along with your name. ___________________________________ Carnival’s first-ever “foodie press trip cruise” We invite you to experience all of Carnival Sunshine’s culinary offerings as part of Carnival’s first-ever “foodie press trip cruise” that will showcase a different culinary venue each evening, QUALIFIED CANDIDATES: Proven track record in food and beverage–related print or online publications with minimum 50,000 to 100,000 circulation/UVMs; potential to place in multiple outlets is a plus. Blogging or social media outlets are a plus, but the primary focus of this trip is on print and online media outlets. Please send copies or links to recent clips to Buck Banks at presstrips@newmanpr.com. Cruise the Galapagos Islands with Ecoventura Ecoventura in the Galapagos are inviting journalists who have a good placement track record to join a 7-night, media-exclusive cruise Jan. 25 through Feb. 1, 2015. Companions are also welcome.This will be an opportunity for qualified journalists to experience the bio-diversity of this archipelago loaded with wildlife on an Ecoventura first class yacht in the company of expert naturalist guides. http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3cc0d80bfe899a74a2c07ef93&id=2a08d144be&e=e674d8e668 Contact information for application and sending assignment letters or note from editor: Doris J. Welsh Director of Sales & Marketing doris@galapagosnetwork.com _____________________________ Galapagos Network – Ecoventura www.ecoventura.com Promoting Sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands, since 1990 5805 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 160 Miami FL 33126 (305) 262-6264 1-800-633-7972 We at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica (www.nicuesalodge.com) are currently seeking proficient Travel Writers wishing to research and experience the site in order to publish articles related to the varied offering of this awarded sustainable lodge (5-Leaf CST Sustainable Operation, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence). Max Sequeira Travel Writer’s Program Coordinator Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge www.NicuesaLodge.com ______________________________________ Travel Writing Events Gloria Steinem and Alice Walker highlight San Miguel Writers Conference .. Now in its tenth year, the San Miguel Writers Conference 2015 continues its ground-breaking achievements with yet another star-studded roster of keynote speakers and writing workshops. As if Steinem and Walker were not enough, the international lineup of speakers also includes Scott Turow (Presumed Innocent),), Tracy Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring), Richard Blanco (fifth inaugural poet of the United States), Ángeles Mastretta (Arráncame la vida,; Mujeres de ojos grandes and Jane Urquhart (Away; The Underpainter). Conference dates are February 11 to 15, 2015. http://www.examiner.com/article/gloria-steinem-and-alice-walker-highlight-san-miguel-writers-conference?CID=examiner_alerts_article WOMEN IN TRAVEL SUMMIT BY GO GIRL TRAVEL NETWORK — The premiere conference connecting female travelers, bloggers and entrepreneurs together with travel industries worldwide. Join us in Boston for our second annual event on 27-29 March, 2015 and be part of our global sisterhood! http://www.travelgogirl.com/witsummit/ ______________________________ Travel Writing Tips/News New blog column for photographers http://bit.ly/1lyxvYy http://bit.ly/1lyxvYy The Daily Routines of Famous Writers by Maria Popova “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper. The Daily Routines of Great Writers Riding the Juggernaut That Left Print Behind ____________________________________ Partnering With Brands Theme Week: Marketing Yourself http://www.problogger.net/archives/2014/07/04/partnering-with-brands-theme-week-marketing-yourself/ BookBaby is now offering a free download of Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch’s APE: How to Publish a Book. According to Marc Longwood, Guy is one of the best-known and respected digital, Internet and social media gurus around. http://www.bookbaby.com/pages/free-guides/free-publishing-guides.aspx?Source=BBP1426A&Dest=https://www.pages04.net/discmakers-cdbaby/BookBaby_GuyKawasaki/APE_guide?utm_campaign=BBP1426A&utm_source=Prospect&utm_medium=Email _______________________________ Contests/Awards Sunset Launches Its First-Ever Travel Awards Program Sunset, founded by the Southern Pacific Railroad to promote travel in the West, introduces the Sunset Travel Awards, which honor excellence and innovation in the tourism industry across the 13 Western states, British Columbia, and Alberta. The awards recognize achievement in lodging, dining, cultural tourism, outdoor adventure, environmental stewardship, and other categories. Twenty-five of the program’s 33 categories, due by October 31, 2014. (See full contest rules and FAQ’s.) For eight of the categories, the winners will be chosen by Sunset editors and the contest Advisory Board. Finalists will be announced January 15, 2015; winners will be announced in May 2015 at sunset.com and featured in the June 2015 issue of Sunset. http://www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards ____________________________ CALL FOR ENTRIES – SHELF UNBOUND WRITING COMPETITION FOR BEST INDEPENDENTLY PUBLISHED BOOK, Shelf Unbound book review magazine announces the Shelf Unbound Writing Competition for Best Independently Published Book, sponsored by Bowker. Any independently published book in any genre is eligible for entry. Entry fee is $40 per book. The winning entry will be selected by the editors of Shelf Unbound magazine. To submit an entry, email a PDF or Word Doc of your entire book, including the cover, toMargaret@shelfmediagroup.com, subject line Contest Entry (or mail a physical copy of your book to: Shelf Media Group, PO Box 852321, Richardson, Texas 75085-2321), and send a check for $40 made out to Shelf Media Group to Margaret Brown, Shelf Media Group, PO Box 852321, Richardson, Texas 75085-2321, or pay via.All entries received (and entry fee paid) will be considered. Please include your email and book title with your entry if sending by mail. The deadline for entry is midnight on October 1, 2014. The winners will be notified by November 2, 2014. Additional information and rules can be found on our contest rules page atwww.shelfmediagroup.com. For further information, please feel free to contact Margaret Brown, Publisher, via email:Margaret@shelfmediagroup.com. Shelf Unbound book review magazine, a 2014 Maggie Award finalist for Best Digital-Only Publication, reaches more than 125,000 avid readers in the U.S. and in 65 other countries around the globe. ______________________ Wilderness Society Photo Contest http://wilderness.org/wild/node/add/moments Maybe next year!!! Expedition Granted, a nationwide competition to discover the next generation of explorers and award one person a $50,000 prize to fund the expedition of their dreams. “Exploration isn’t just for mountain climbers and photographers. The explorers of the 21st century are musicians and makers, techies and tinkerers, the curious and the courageous—anyone with a big idea and the drive to make it a reality. And that means you. What will you explore?” Submission deadline is August 31, 2014. Maybe next year. Entries must be received by August 22, 2014. Guidelines and the entry form can be found on the Adventure in Motion page of the ATTA’s website. Next Year? Could National Geographic’s Next Great Explorer be you? http://perceptivetravel.com/blog/2014/07/28/could-national-geographics-next-great-explorer-be-you/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PerceptiveTravelBlog+%28Perceptive+Travel+Blog%29&utm_content=FaceBook ________________ Misc. 12 Indie Presses Looking For Submissions A member of the Bay Area Travel Writers Association, Karen Miscura, created a list of 12 small presses who will either accept query letters directly from writers or who will accept submissions of writing directly from writers. 1. Black Balloon Publishing – Brooklyn, New York “We cater to writers who kick conventions curbside, who provoke without sentiment, who make the despicable somehow appealing.” Even though this list is in alphabetical order I still think this publisher deserves to be first. They’re publishing innovative avant-garde fiction. And they are actively searching for new emerging voices. Plus, the company was started by Elizabeth Koch who co-founded the Literary Death Match. Reading Period: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Illustrated Novels 2. Brooklyn Arts Press – Brooklyn, New York “We believe we serve our community best by publishing great works of varying aesthetics side by side, subverting the notion that writers & artists exist in vacuums, apart from the culture in which they reside.” Brooklyn Arts Press (BAP) is an indie press looking for emerging lyrical writers of poetry, fiction, or chapbooks. They’ve been involved in some exciting projects over the last few years. If you’re interested, checkout poet Paige Taggart or the collaboration between authors Martin Ott and John F Buckley. Reading Period: June 1 – June 30 Submission Type: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Chapbooks 3. Coffee House Press – Minneapolis, Minnesota “The mission of Coffee House Press is to publish exciting, vital, and enduring authors of our time; to delight and inspire readers; to contribute to the cultural life of our community; and to enrich our literary heritage.” Coffee House Press is a nonprofit indie press. They publish novels, short story collections, and creative nonfiction. They’ve published such award-winning authors as Ron Padgett, Anne Waldman, Stephen Dixon, Anne Waldman, and Rikki Ducorne. Reading periods: March 1 – 31 and September 1 – 30 Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction, (not currently accepting poetry) 4. Dalkey Archive Press – London, Dublin, and Illinois “We place a heavy emphasis upon fiction that belongs to the experimental tradition of Sterne, Joyce, Rabelais, Flann O’Brien, Beckett, Gertrude Stein, and Djuna Barnes.” Dalkey Archive Press specializes in publishing lesser known, often avant-garde writers. Founded in 1984, this publishing house has been around long enough to pick up some notable names. They’ve published such writers as Carlos Fuentes, Djuna Barnes, and Flann O’Brien. Reading periods: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Academic Essays 5. Dzanc Books – Ann Arbor, Michigan “Dzanc Books was created in 2006 to advance great writing and to impact communities nationally with our efforts to promote literary readership and advocacy of creative writing workshops and readings offered across the country.” Not only does Dzanc publish award-winning literary fiction, but they also offer a slew of community programs. They have a writers-in-residency program that connects published writers with elementary school kids. They have a mentor program that offers low-cost writing instruction to beginning writers. And they have a summer writers’ conference in Lisbon, Portugal. Reading periods: Rolling for Novels (They have submissions through annual contests for short story collections and nonfiction.) Submission Type: Novels, Short Story Collections, Nonfiction 6. McSweeney’s Quarterly & Books – San Francisco, California “McSweeney’s began in 1998 as a literary journal that published only works rejected by other magazines. That rule was soon abandoned, and since then McSweeney’s has attracted work from some of the finest writers in the country.” Besides publishing the literary journal, Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, McSweeney’s also publishes a variety of books under various imprints. Through their magazine and imprints they have published authors such as Nick Hornby, Rick Moody, Joyce Carol Oates, Michael Chabon, and T.C. Boyle. Reading periods: Reopens September 1, 2014 Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Children’s books 7. The Feminist Press – New York City, New York “The Feminist Press promotes voices on the margins of dominant culture and publishes feminist works from around the world, inspiring personal transformation and social justice.” Founded in 1970, The Feminist Press is the longest surviving women’s publishing house in the world. It currently operates out of the City University of New York. Over the decades they’ve published such authors as Zora Neale Hurston, Shahrnush Parsipur, Anita Hill, and many more. Recently they published a nonfiction account of the band Pussy Riot titled, Pussy Riot! A punk Prayer for Freedom. Reading periods: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction 8. Gival Press – Arlington, Virginia “We publish the work of poets and authors who demonstrate quality and whose work has a message, be it philosophical or social.” Founded in 1998, Gival Press publishes fiction and nonfiction in English, French, and Spanish. Their titles have won awards ranging from the “Independent Publisher Book Award” to the “London Book Festival Award.” Reading periods: May 15-August 15 Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry 9. Livingston Press – Livingston, Alabama “In 1993, the press expanded its focus to publish “Offbeat & Southern Literature,” as well as regional history.” Livingston Press, of the University of West Alabama, was founded in 1984. This nonprofit press publishes writers with a strong voice. Most of their writers are from the South, but they do have a few from other regions of the US. They usually publish around ten books a year. Reading periods: June 1-June 30 Submission Type: Novels, Short Story Collections 10. Monkey Puzzle Press – Boulder, Colorado “When that story is screaming inside your head, we want to read it. And so does the rest of the jungle.” This hip new press may be small, but they’re publishing some innovative writing in both full book format and chapbook format. They are currently looking for both emerging and established writers to add to their catalogue. Reading periods: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Chapbooks 11. Soft Skull Press – Berkeley, California “Here at Soft Skull we love books that are new, fun, smart, revelatory, quirky, groundbreaking, cage-rattling and/or/otherwise unusual.” Founded in 1992, this small press is now an imprint of Counterpoint LLC. Over the years its titles have been nominated and won several Lambda Literary Awards. Its all-star roster includes Lydia Millet and Rajiv Joseph. Reading periods: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction 12. Solid Object – New York City, New York This publisher may have only started in 2010, but they’re already making waves with beautifully crafted books and a slim roster of great authors. From Elizabeth Robinson’s On Ghosts to Jake Bohstedt Morrill’s Randy Bradley you’ll want to keep an eye on this press. Reading periods: Rolling Submission Type: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama ___________________________________ Former Editor Sues People Magazine For Racial Discrimination – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/21/people-magazine-racist-tatsha-robertson_n_5698095.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular TransferWise is the clever new way to send money abroad and avoid hidden bank fees. Sending money abroad is deceptively expensive, thanks to the hidden fees we’ve all been forced to pay. Now TransferWise lets expats, foreign students and businesses transfer money wherever it’s needed, at the lowest possible cost. www.transferwise.com _________________________ The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos will take place in 119 (+) cities around the world this October 4, 2014. www.marchforelephants.org. Mimicking the airlines, hotels get fee-happy http://travel.ca.msn.com/mimicking-the-airlines-hotels-get-fee-happy ___________________________ Lifting as I climb, Elaine Lee www.ugogurl.com