[.ca] Travel Writing: See the World. Sell the Story. (ISBN 1582973814)

From Amazon.com:
Travel writing is a lucrative and enjoyable writer's market, and this book may be your ticket. While planning your getaway, consider getting this book to prepare your pen -- before packing your bags. You may find vacations becoming your vocation!

You would like to be a travel writer?:
You would like to become a travel writer. Why, Its sounds so easy and glamorous. Just write about a place, its people, landscape, weather, flora and fauna. You may even want to throw in something about history, politics, culture and folklore. However, before deciding to give up your day job, a good idea would be to read Washington Post journalist, L. Peat O'Neil's manual entitled Travel Writing. As we are informed in the introduction, you first have to ask yourself are you a travel writer? Do you have the right attitude to accept rejections from editors? Are you passionate about traveling or you just tolerate all of the inconveniences that travel sometimes entails? As the author states, "if you don't have a yen to hit the high road and a knack for writing, planning to be a travel writer might not be right for you." After we have assured ourselves that we definitely would like to "give it a shot," the next step is to learn the tools of the trade. O'Neill points the way in showing us how to become observant, where to meet people, and how to locate the heart of a place when visiting some locality. The author best sums this up when she asserts, "to really travel, you'll need purpose-interests that focus on your journeys." The plan of the manual is divided into nine chapters dealing with such topics as getting started, travelling, the journal, structure, pace, style and tone of the article, research resources, travel photos, marketing, acting professionally. As you can see the author leaves very little to the imagination in paving the way to a firm grasp of the essential elements of successful travel writing. Apart from analysing the different ingredients that comprise effective travel writing, the reader is also introduced to a variety of exercises that reinforces the various rules and principles of travel writing. Anyone contemplating travel writing or even if you want to hone your skills in appreciating detail and discover unusual experiences while traveling, this book should prove to be indispensable. Added features of the book include an appendix listing books, periodicals, newsletters, organizations, prizes and awards, marketing directories, writing reference tools, and other resources. There is also a glossary of terms used throughout the book as well as a few examples of the author's articles. Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures.com

Useful, but a bit too high-level and light for me.:
I recommed Travel Writer's Guide by Gordon Burgett instead of this book -- he gives more practical advice for collecting material, writing, and submitting to publishers. I found myself skimming through this entire book looking for nuggets of relevant information, whereas Burgess's book I read in detail because it was plain he had more practical advice to share about what exatcly to do to get published. In fairness, however, the book does contain useful information. I simply have a strong preference for 'how to' books that are heavy on immediate, practical detail and light on entertainment.

Excellent book from an excellent writer:
This is a book I often recommend to my travel writing students. O'Neil has an excellent way of explaining things that's clear and very descriptive. I still use her tips to help me be a better travel writer.

Excellent book for beginners and experienced writers:
This is a wonderfully informative book on travel writing. I recommend it to anyone in the travel writing field, whether just beginning or well-seasoned. The journal-writing suggestions will improve your ability to enjoy and capture the essence of a destination, while making notes to include in your travel stories. The photographic suggests bring an added depth to the travel writing profession. This is an excellent book for writers and travelers. There is general information of what to bring, what to wear, and how to mix with the locals for a pleasurable experience. It's just about the best travel writing book I've read.

Might be good for university students:
Although this book contained some good info about travel writing, as an experienced writer in another field and an experienced traveller, I felt that it wasted quite a bit of my time on things like what to take with you on a trip. If you extracted extraneous info and left useful info, the book might shrink by as much as 1/4. Also, I found the tone a bit annoying in places, as if the author was talking to students who knew nothing about the world.