Comments on: [SpecialtyBuzz] Travel Writer Margaret Montet

By: [SpecialtyBuzz] Did You Miss a SpecialtyBuzz Specialist? | The Life and Times of a Freelance Writer

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:11:48 +0000

[...] Margaret Montet [...]

By: Bumbles

Bumbles — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:51:38 +0000

Thank you Margaret. We have a vacation planned in a few months and you have motivated me to do some advance contacting of the sites I know for sure we will be visiting, as well as to seek out local suggestions, with the hopes that it will provide good information and maximize the visit.

By: Margaret Montet

Margaret Montet — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:32:59 +0000

Hi Bumbles! Thanks for your comment. I’ve got to be honest: I don’t have much luck writing about places I stumble upon, either. My articles always have more depth when I do some advance research and try to focus on an imagined audience (kids, couples, girlfriends getaways, etc) once I get there. When doing advance research, I always identify myself as a writer and inform the source about the publication if I’m on assignment. They are most helpful when I have a focused idea or slant for a story instead of a broad overview. They exist to provide information, but not to promote us.

When I’m onsite, I rarely identify, although it is fun to take out a notebook in a restaurant and see what happens! (I don’t do restaurant criticisms, only small blurbs if I think they are a good value or truly unique.)

I have many more contacts in places I write about frequently, and I’ve built relationships with them. They have me on their press lists and send me their releases and information about upcoming events. Even if I don’t write about all of it, this information helps paint a complete picture of the place for more effective articles.

As for selling work, it takes perseverance and patience. I send out queries on a rotating schedule to regional magazines, in-flights, and national publications. Most won’t bite, but when one does, it’s worth all the effort!

By: Bumbles

Bumbles — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:05:28 +0000

Wow Jenn – did you do this interview just for me?! Margaret – I have just embarked on a tiny little career in freelance by writing posts for an online Travel blog – UpTake Attractions at Uptake.com – and wondered how to add to this work. I got this work by just e-mailing the editor dept. and asking for a job. I would love to do longer feature work for magazines online or in print. Brevity is not my strong suit. How do I create a resume from a collection of short posts on one site? And does just knocking on doors (or in-boxes) really work?

Also, I like your suggestion about working with the Chamber of Commerce – although I tend to write about places we stumble across on our journeys rather than planning visits to specific things. Who there will give me the best/most unique insight? And do you present yourself as a writer or as a tourist?

I have been contacting the places I have written about after the fact to let them know about the free press but haven’t gotten much response. I thought perhaps they would be interested in spotlighting the link in their newsletters, etc. and could therefore build a presence in their world. Is that not a good tactic?

By: Margaret Montet

Margaret Montet — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:43:17 +0000

It’s actually a tie between “Rail Life” (http://www.airtranmagazine.com/features/2009/01/rail-life) and “A Segway Tour of Paris” (http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0901/france-paris-detours.html). For “Rail Life”, I spent the weekend in Strasburg, PA, visiting only the railroad destinations and staying in a motel made up of cabooses! I was delighted to see some of the same families at each destination verifying that indeed this was a cool way to spend a weekend! For “A Segway Tour of Paris” I learned how to ride a Segway while navigating through the city traffic and looking at the sites. How cool is that? Both articles were a snap to write because I was so engaged in the topics. I’m proud of my Cape May, NJ, articles, too, but each of those is just a little slice of my experience there.

I haven’t made any major mistakes, but there was one example of a dead link that I should have checked but must not have. Luckily, this was an online publication and the editor graciously fixed it right away.

By: Jenn Escalona

Jenn Escalona — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:38:37 +0000

I realize now that if I had additional questions I probably should have asked them in the interview, but since I didn’t, I’m asking here!

What travel writing piece are you most proud of? And, did you ever make a major mistake when writing in your field? How did you rectify it?