A Professional Organization of Travel Writers and Photographers
BATW News | See all BATW News President’s Column — July, 2010President’s Column — July, 2010

BATW President Diane LeBow writes about being back from six weeks in the Middle East and France, Diane’s Parisian reading, the successful June panel on “The Ethics & Etiquette of Travel Writing,” top quality programs coming up, and BATW members’ adventures, publications, and honors.


BATW Meeting: Travel Adventures in the Middle East — Aug. 21BATW Meeting: Travel Adventures in the Middle East — Aug. 21

Having traveled from the mysterious souks of Damascus and ancient “Dead Cities” of Northern Syria to the hidden cliff city of Jordan’s Petra to the chic nightlife and galleries of Beirut (often called “The Paris of the Middle East”) the writer-and-photographer team of Diane LeBow and John Montgomery will share tales and images from their recent month-long pilgrimage among these crossroads of some of our earliest civilizations. (photo of the Treasury at Petra, Jordan © John Montgomery)


BATW Meeting: Putting Pizzazz in Your Travel Writing — Sept. 18BATW Meeting: Putting Pizzazz in Your Travel Writing — Sept. 18

Putting Pizzazz in Your Travel Writing — that’s the topic of the Sept. 18, 2010, BATW meeting. Panelists are Georgia Hesse, Bill Fink and Judy Wylie.


Member News | See all Member News
Tom Wilmer Writes Livermore Wine Book, & Georgia Hesse Reviews ItTom Wilmer Writes Livermore Wine Book, & Georgia Hesse Reviews It

Congratulations go to Tom Wilmer, whose new book, “The Wine Seekers Guide to Livermore Valley,” will debut at the Taste of Terroir in Livermore Valley on July 22nd and be available to the public in August.


April Orcutt’s “Travel+Leisure” Online Story Adapted to NBC’s “The Today Show”April Orcutt’s “Travel+Leisure” Online Story Adapted to NBC’s “The Today Show”

April Orcutt’s latest article for “Travel + Leisure” Online, “America’s Best Beach Boardwalks,” was “repurposed” for NBC’s (or MSNBC’s) “The Today Show” and ran on television on June 23rd.


Sandy Sims’s Writing & Lee Nelson’s Photos in “Livermore Valley California Wineries”Sandy Sims’s Writing & Lee Nelson’s Photos in “Livermore Valley California Wineries”

Sandy Sims’s “Livermore Valley California Wineries” article and Lee Nelson’s related photos have been posted on iNeTours, Lee’s travel website.


Tips & Resources | See all Tips & Resources
“Ethics & Etiquette” with Catherine Boire, Tom Wilmer, David Page, Edward Hasbrouck & Erin Van Rheenen at June BATW Meeting – by Suzie Rodriguez & April Orcutt“Ethics & Etiquette” with Catherine Boire, Tom Wilmer, David Page, Edward Hasbrouck & Erin Van Rheenen at June BATW Meeting – by Suzie Rodriguez & April Orcutt

The Ethics & Etiquette of Travel Writing — that is, an examination of what’s involved from an ethical standpoint when it comes to travel-writer comps, press trips, and freebies — was the lively topic discussed by Edward Hasbrouck, David Page, Catherine Boire and Tom Wilmer at the June, 2010, BATW meeting. Lots of important information and excellent resources are listed in this post so click on “read more.”


Mr. Tips & Resources: Lee Foster Wins 2010 Rebecca Bruns AwardMr. Tips & Resources: Lee Foster Wins 2010 Rebecca Bruns Award

The 2010 Rebecca Bruns Award recipient is longtime BATW member Lee Foster. Lee’s forward thinking, his dedication to professional development and education and his generosity as a teacher and mentor place him in the forefront of travel journalism today.


Tips for Dealing with Copyright Infringement from Laure Latham, Edward Hasbrouck, Suzie Rodriguez & Dick JordanTips for Dealing with Copyright Infringement from Laure Latham, Edward Hasbrouck, Suzie Rodriguez & Dick Jordan

This following information is from the BATW Yahoo Group and is an exchange of tales of copyright infringement and tips for trying to solve those problems. If you’re not yet a BATW Yahoo Group member, contact David Sanger to join.


Industry News | See all Industry News
Travel Trends: “California Outlook” — by Lakshman RatnapalaTravel Trends: “California Outlook” — by Lakshman Ratnapala

Lakshman Ratnapala reports that “There is light at the end of the tunnel, according to Caroline Beteta, President & CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC). Emerging from the darkness of 2009 when the State of California recorded negative results in tourism arrivals and tourist spending, the outlook for this year, 2010 and the next, 2011 look promising. . . . “


Lee Foster Gives Hopeful Insights into World of AppsLee Foster Gives Hopeful Insights into World of Apps

Lee Foster offers excellent insights into the world of apps and, as he says, “a somewhat hopeful sign that creators of content can actually survive and earn a dollar or two in the new publishing environment.”


David Page Writes About “The Future of Freelance Journalism” on MatadorDavid Page Writes About “The Future of Freelance Journalism” on Matador

Thanks go to Dick Jordan for pointing out David Page’s posts on Matador about “The Future of Freelance Journalism.” This link is for part 1, which begins: “Is there one? . . . “


Articles | See all Articles
“Day Trip: Pasadena” — by Jennie Nunn“Day Trip: Pasadena” — by Jennie Nunn

Jennie Nunn’s fun article about Pasadena ran in “Sunset” magazine in March, 2010. She included lots of tidbits such as what it’s famous for (Craftsman-style homes, the Rose Bowl), what it should be famous for (Albert Einstein lived there), unexpected shopping locations and “3 more Pasadena surprises.”


“Sausalito: Beauty & the Bay” — by Don & Ann Jackson“Sausalito: Beauty & the Bay” — by Don & Ann Jackson

Don and Ann Jackson’s lovely homage to Sausalito, “Sausalito: Beauty and the Bay,” ran in the May, 2010, issue of “San Joaquin” magazine. It begins: “This eclectic community with over 200 art galleries and shops combine with those breathtaking views has always had an almost magnetic draw. An astonishing list of top-notch lodging choices, highly touted restaurants and a cornucopia of intriguing activities abound. . . . “


“The Real Alaska” — by Nancy Hoyt Belcher“The Real Alaska” — by Nancy Hoyt Belcher

Nancy Hoyt Belcher’s article “The Real Alaska” was published in the March, 2010, issue of “Highways” Magazine. Her story begins: “After years of feeling jealous when friends raved about their bear sightings in Alaska, I finally had my turn. And what a turn—not just a chance sighting where the bear is a speck on the horizon but frequent close-up encounters. When I reached the Anan Wildlife Observatory viewing shelter, a mother black bear was rubbing her shoulder against the trunk of a Sitka spruce less than 10 feet from the stairs to the platform while her cub peered down from an overhead branch. . . . “