I've been getting ready for the Adventure Travel Expo, and man it would be a lot easier if Waterloo had a Kinkos. I bought folders, I wrote up a Jen Leo newsletter which is much friendlier than a resume. I have clips. Some of mine and some great reviews for Sand. This is the kind of opportunity that justifies lugging 50 extra pounds of books and paperwork across the Atlantic.
The only thing I need now is a printer and a copy machine. Then I can whip it all together. Hopefully that will be easier to find in London.
I’ve researched some of the exhibitors and I’m most excited about meeting Lyn Hughes and Lizzie Kendon from Wanderlust and Dominic Tombs fromGlobal Adventure Magazine.
I let the Wanderlust ladies know that I was coming since we have a history. But I neglected to let Dominic Tombs know. But after typing that last sentence, I picked up the phone and left him a message.
I’ve researched some of the other exhibitors online, but what I love about a convention is the overwhelming excitement of discovery. And I’m very happy that Chris O’Neill of the London Blog will be going with me one of the days. That way I can talk a mile a minute to him as soon as I’m done jumping up and down after I pass a cool booth.
Don’t worry O’Neill, I’ll just buy you a beer to make up for it.
More from London.
The newsletter idea rather than a resume sounds interesting. Besides
friendlier, do they contain the same information?
Mary, I just finished it! The newsletter looks great. I used a newsletter template from dumb ole Apple Works and then redid it in Word. I love it!I haven’t looked this great on paper, EVER. So, here’s what I put. My name and “travel writer/editor” going vertical up the left side. Then at the top of the main part it says jen leo:: 1.2004 overview. What follows is a paragraph of current editorial happenings. First person, says that I’m in Europe and looking for additional assignments. Then goes on to state what I’m currently working on and what bylines to look out for this spring and summer.
Next I have a horizontal row of five books that I’m in. And Chris O’Neill has a color printer so it’s evern better.
Then, on the left I have a vertical column of “Editorial Highlights” which include ten books that I’ve been in.
On the right is two sections. “Web Highlights” includes web work I’ve done. And below that is a section called “Awards” and includes the new NATJA award and the bestseller lists for Sand.
At the bottom is a color image of the NATJA logo.
I like this format. It gets straight to the good stuff without having to go into boring details about where and when there was employment. Perfect for my recent history. And, it’s only one page so no eye strain on the reader. Visually attractive and stimulating.
But every writer needs an editor, so thanks to Susan for cleaning me up and suggesting better adjectives so I sound better.
Now I’m going to print up some black and white writing samples and then I can go to the copyshop. I hear there’s one close by. YAY!
Would you mind emailing me a copy?
Especially like the one-page concept, “visually attractive and stimulating” isn’t bad either!
You have many beside and behind you, Jen. Go. Go. Go.
hey jen
dont forget to give me a call when you are in town and remember – grapes…a sick man needs grapes