Lost In The Mail

by Maureen Elizabeth Magee

I adore postcards. But I can’t remember the last time I received one – can you? Probably sometime around the mid-1990’s, just before email sucked the life out of stamps.

It seems that, while I wasn’t looking, sending postcards went out of style. Well, let’s face it – everything does, eventually. But it hit home this past holiday season, when assorted friends took off for Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, Spain and Dubai – and the mailman never delivered a single card to me.

Am I the only one who loved to send them? Most people are quite happy to receive one in the mail, but a particular joy of mine while traveling has always been to spin those metal racks in the tourist shop and study various options in order to find the perfect photograph for each individual on my list. (Mount Fuji for the climbing buddy, Kyoto cherry blossoms for my gardening pal, the Uwa Jima Pornography Museum for….well, never mind.)  I would send postcards to everyone; friends, co-workers and neighbors.  Including some folks I would never consider writing to otherwise, but now wished to impress with my fabulous life exploring exotic places, while they never got farther than their mailboxes.

Click to read more ...

Pacific NW Travel Writers Conference: Travel & Words 2010

At YourLifeIsATrip.com we're up for any experience that might provide a burst of travel writing enthusiasm, great tips and new friendships. This summer workshop, shared by contributor Allen Cox, sounded like just the ticket...

EXPLORE AND EXPAND YOUR MARKETS AT TRAVEL & WORDS 2010

From the presentation of story and article ideas, meeting regional contacts, guidance on editorial positioning, exploring major trends in writing and publishing in freelance markets, gain professional support, guidance, and camaraderie at TRAVEL & WORDS 2010 (June 26, Tacoma, WA).

Pacific Northwest destinations, attractions, historic sites and all-season recreation are hot topics in travel publishing. In this one day seminar for freelance travel writers, journalists, photographers, editors, and travel and tourism industry professionals, participants will: 

• Attend workshops and seminars on marketing freelance articles and photography to both print and online publications in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

• Gain timely information on changes and trends in the freelance writing world, particularly the use of social media in managing and marketing one’s brand and developing income-producing web sites related to travel writing.
• Make valuable connections with editors and travel and tourism industry professionals who highlight Pacific NW destinations, including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia.

Click to read more ...