BootsnAll Travel Community

I have an idea for a trip and a book that I believe is interesting and based on my research, I have not found any writings on this topic. This trip will probably take at least 3 months and require at least $5k-$10 worth of expenditures. I have only one published travel article, so I am somewhat inexpereinced. I have a few questions/concerns that I have listed below:

1) Is it best for someone like myself to simply take the trip, write the book and then try to sell it to a publisher? Any advice on how to prepare for pitching a book, especially if you are an unknown writer?
2) If I go to a publisher with the idea first, given my level of inexperience, I do not expect much interest. My concern is that it would be easy for my idea to be "stolen" and used by someone else. Is it possible to protect myself from that happening and if so, how?
3) Does anyone have any experience with trying to attract sponsors for a trip who can pay some or all of the expenses in return for advertising exposure? Any guidance?

Thanks in advance for any help.

It's great that you are undertaking such a project. The Written Road may have some advice.

Court

Thanks Court. I'll check it out. Cheers

I've heard of grants for travel related to arts activities, though regret I have no specific foundations to recommend to you. If there is a grant research library in Phoenix, they may be able to point you in the right direction.
also - don't forget that you'll be able to report all those expenses on a Schedule C on your income taxes! that always sweetens the experience of all that money going away.
and i agree with Court - written road is just the most generous, informative resource!

No Touch Monkey! And Other Travel Lessons Learned Too Late by Ayun Halliday
http://www.ayunhalliday.com

Thanks Ayun. I appreciate your response.

If you've got a Rainy Day fund you can break into, and you're confidant you've got a marketable idea (and decent writing skills, of course), then why not go ahead and write the whole thing before showing it to a publisher. Then if they don't want it or aren't going to offer you much for it (keeping in mind that most travel guide writers rarely make more than $5000 in royalties before the book is out of date!), then self-publish it at a place like Booklocker.com (best contracts in the biz, IMHO).

It will be hard to get freebies if you're not on assignment (and depending where you're going, it may be hard even WITH an assignment), but there are many ways to cut costs and still get some good research (ie: most hotels will happily give you a tour of their facilities, show you the different rooms available, and answer all of your questions, even if they don't offer free lodging).
Hope this helps.

Heather Stimmler-Hall
Secrets of Paris

As a guidebook writer, let me try and shead some light on your questions.

Is it best to take the trip and then write the book as an unknown writer?

I have written two guidebooks and self published them through a print on demand publisher, so I indeed fronted all the costs. I would have preffered to have a publisher pay me up front, but that is highly unlikely for someone starting out. I had no prior experience but for $99.00 and a lot of hard work I published my first guide. I learned a lot on my first book and know my second guide is a steady seller on Amazon and through travel bookstores

I must say that I write my books because I love the people and places I have written about, certainly not for financial gain. Even the highest paid guidebook authors would be hard pressed to live on only their royalties. I, and many others, do it because we love to write. So if you love to write
and be underpaid, you may want to give it a try, there are some great places to go and the bonus is you can write off a portion of your vacations!

I wouldn't worry too much about a publisher "stealing" your idea. If it is an original idea, chances are they would let you write it. I think they will be far more interested in your ability to produce a saleable book rather than stealing it to give to one of their own writers.

You asked about finding sponsors for your book project. I can tell you they are few and far between. When you first start, you will be treated with at best indifference by tourism boards, tours and most accommodations. In time you will gain the confidence of more and more people and they will, in turn, help you with your planning. In some cases, they may even help find you promotional rate or two on tours or airfare. Just keep in mind that they love to spend their money on glossy magazine writers who will bring in well-healed tourists with fat wallets, which may not be your prime market. You also need to also keep in mind that you need to maintain your integrity; too many freebies come with strings attached.

Hope this helps you, if you like you can e-mail me and we can continue the conversation. I wish you luck, remember do it cause you love it and not for the few dollars you may earn fro the venture.

mikehoolywood.com

hey ayun -
is it true that travel writers can write off at least part of their travel expenses? i was under the impression that this wasn't possible!
i'm tossing around the idea of starting a career as a freelance writer and this would be good to know...

Hey, check out my new blog:

Central America At Last