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There is a thing such as Too Many Assignments

Ebooks and Ecourses

Talking about helping yourself to write, I've purchased Mike Gerrard's ebook called 'So you want to be a travel writer?' The book was written in 2005, but it could do with updating as things have changed a lot, especially with reference to technology. Otherwise, it is a wonderful 62 page guide on how to get started in the business. The ideas and tips can work for any aspect of writing, not just travel. The book contains interviews with travel editors and tips on what they want - a handy insight!

I've also signed up for an e-course through Writers Weekly called 'Local magazines and newspaper markets : Tap into yours'. With my third feature coming out this week in my local paper, this is a niche market that I'd like to explore further. Let's see if the course makes a difference.

And before you think I've got a lot of spare cash to be spending online, let me tell you that both these purchases were cheap ones. With the pound stronger than before, it barely makes a dent in the credit card. The e-book cost me a little over £2 and the course £12 . I've more than recovered the cost of the e-book with the advice in it. The course begins next week - will let you know how it goes.

Keeping track

It's the middle of the year already. My tall New Year resolution to send 3 queries a week have, obviously, fallen by the wayside.

Here's the real story for submissions in 2007 (as of July 13)

16 queries submitted, 8 successful
15 submissions sent, out of which 2 published, 2 accepted & awaiting publication
11/15 submissions - declined / no response.

Sending queries is not easy. While the mind brims over with ideas, finding a suitable market makes for the delay. Of course, ensuring that you have enough to write about is another thing to worry about. I used to worry endlessly that a query would be accepted and I would not have enough material to complete the article. With experience however, this is no longer the case - writing an outline is the best thing you can do.

Want to be a travel writer?

If you're looking to break into travel writing, take a look at this blog. Full of great links to travel related blogs and websites, http://writetotravel.blogspot.com/is the story of one writers journey on the road to publication.

I've spent the better half of a precious writing day browsing, umm, reading / going from link to link. It's been worth it.

Go ahead, take a look.

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Published? Or Not?

Poem/article on a blog, website or online journal? What about church bulletins, little-circulation newsletters or your own website?

Consider it published.

Read a good post here on this familiar quandary.

5 good places to find new work

1. Write this moment.com job board
2. Funds for writers newsletters
3. Worldwide freelance newsletter
4. Other freelance writers blogs :)
5. Writer Gazette newsletter

Looking for Volunteers

I'm writing an article on volunteering and would love to hear from anybody who has registered on an online volunteering site or has volunteered for an NGO in India.

Email me if you can help. Many thanks.

Examples of online volunteering sites would be this and this.