Thinking of Becoming a Travel Writer?

Head to Corte Madera, California in three weeks.

That's not meant to be a cryptic answer. Book Passage, a terrific independent bookstore in Corte Madera hosts the finest travel writers conference in the US each year, and I hear there are still spaces open for the upcoming one, which will take place from August 9-12.

What makes it so worthwhile? The caliber of the people involved. Each year, organizer Don George, invites the big names in travel writing and photography to participate. And they not only give lectures, but they work one-on-one with students. Best of all: the conference is a great career launchpad. Many former participants have gotten jobs from the many editors (and agents) who attend.

I'll be teaching a course on "Service Writing" this year, with my esteemed colleague Chris Gray Faust. The faculty also includes:

-Spud Hilton (Travel Editor, San Francisco Chronicle)
-Andrew McCarthy (Award winning travel writer and movie start)
-Susan Orlean (Staff writer for the New Yorker and author of the book "The Orchid Thief")
-Robert Reid (Lonely Planet's US Travel Editor)
-Peter Greenberg (Travel Editor, CBS News)
-Phil Cousineau (Public TV host and author of "The Art of Pilgrimage)
-Julia Cosgrove (Editor-in-Chief, Afar Magazine)
-Andrew Evans (National Geographic's "Digital Nomad")

For complete information, click on the link above or take a look at this article Gadling.com did on the conference.