Storyteller's Cottage Hosts Retreat for Aspiring Travel Writers

On Saturday, October 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Storyteller’s Cottage will host a unique and practical day of workshops for aspiring travel writers. The Travel Writing Retreat will feature insightful and skills-based classes taught by five professional travel writers, with topics ranging from how to break into the industry, to how to find assignments, develop a niche and deal with rejection.

For those who’ve dreamed of being a travel writer… of exploring new places, uncovering stories and getting paid to vacation, this transformational day will provide participants with the skills and strategies they’ll need to live this dream. Students will network with and learn from a slate of five successful professional travel writers eager to share practical advice. First, hear their "How I Became a Travel Writer" stories during a morning panel discussion. Then, cycle through five hour-long workshop sessions designed to inspire participants and set them on a course to new opportunities in this field.

Topics will include:

● The Art of the Sale: From Pitch to Publication with Steve Jermanok
Learn how to deal with rejection (Steve will share his file of over 250 rejection letters from when he started) and how social media is your friend (you don’t have to put all the power into the hands of an editor any longer).
● Food, Glorious Food with Mike Urban
Everyone likes to eat, and nearly everyone likes to talk or write about and visually document their favorite culinary experiences. How do you translate that passion into getting your food content published in books and magazines, online and elsewhere? Food and travel writer Mike Urban will share what he knows and what he’s experienced as an editor and a writer during his 40 years in publishing and freelancing. From food blogging to finding an audience to developing a niche to knocking on doors to get published, Mike will share the good, the bad and the ugly and ultimately offer tips and encouragement to food and travel writers eager to spread their knowledge and passion for food as far and wide as possible.
● The Travel Writer's Dilemma: Follow Your Heart or Follow the Money? with Bob Curley
Travel writing is a “dream job” for many, but therein lies the problem: There are a lot of people out there calling themselves travel writers and competing for a limited number of assignments. Hear about the challenge and necessity of building a diverse base of business in travel writing that includes both consumer and trade publications, including often more lucrative niches like website content creation and custom publishing. Explore ways to leverage your personal interests and knowledge into travel writing expertise that can set you apart from the crowd, as well as ways to have fun and make money writing even on assignments that may not neatly fit the description of “travel writing.”
● The Tools to Stand Out with Karen Berger
Travel writing used to be something only a few people—those lucky enough, wealthy enough, adventurous enough to travel—could do. In an age when everyone is traveling, and anyone can blog, what do professional writers bring to the table? How can you be original and say something different? This session will focus on narrative technique, structures, and themes, as well as basic travel writing technique. The focus will be on using these in the context of modern travel writing realities (and competition) and giving attendees the tools to stand out.
● Write Where You Are: Juggling Writing with Traveling, Parenting, a Day Job or Whatever Gets in Your Way with Kim Knox Beckius
Hear and share strategies for tuning out distractions, making the most of short windows of writing time, working on the road, and prioritizing writing without neglecting your other responsibilities… or your sanity. Plus, learn how to find travel stories in your own backyard and become known for your local expertise.

Enjoy a networking lunch with fellow writers, and end the day with a refreshment hour and book signing.

COST: $125 (includes lunch)
Registration for this exciting seminar is available online at: https://www.storytellerscottag...

The Storyteller’s Cottage is located in a vintage Victorian house in the center of historic Simsbury, CT, and hosts all manner of immersive literary events throughout the year, including Agatha Christie inspired live murder mystery parties, Great Gatsby themed Jazz Supper Clubs, fascinating close-up illusions at Fine Parlor Magic nights, a Literary Dinner Party series on select evenings at midnight and more. For more information, call 860-877-6099 or visit www.StorytellersCottage.com.