Planning ahead: 2008 travel writing conferences

It only makes sense. If you devote the time to your travel writing craft, it’ll improve. If you surround yourself with successful travel writers, you’ll feel encouraged and inspired.

Travel writing conferences are definitely something to consider going to, for both the practical writing tidbits and the camaraderie. And if the tuition is too hefty, don’t think all is lost—I couldn’t attend last year’s Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference in Corte Madera, California, but I arrived in time for the evening lectures, which were open to the public. No doubt I missed a lot by not going to the full conference, but the lectures were free, the speakers gave good advice, and I met some attendees that I’ve kept in contact with.

KiwiWriter at Write-to-Travel has posted several relevant blogs recently. The first encourages why to attend a conference. Among the reasons: support and empathy.

“Writing is a solitary pursuit, so grab the opportunity to meet and mix with writers. Don’t know what to say? Easiest opening line is ‘what do you write about?’ or ‘who do you write for?’”

And the second suggests when and where you’ll find a conference. You might be surprised by all of the options in 2008—whether close to home or abroad on your RTW trip—including Rolf’s annual Paris Writing Workshop in July.

In addition to KiwiWriter’s list of conferences, here are a few others to consider:

June 23-27: North American Travel Journalists Association Conference & Marketplace, Oklahoma City
June 15-24: Writers’ Workshops International hosts a writers’ workshop in Puglia, Italy