I had this idea the other day. What if I spent one month, really focusing on my writing? Not just polishing prose that will never get published, but actually thinking like an editor, finding angles and pitching my ideas to a publication. What if I spent the entire month of August, submitting a query letter per day? Would I get published more often? Would I learn something about writing queries? Would I make connections with editors? It seemed like a worthy experiment, so I started drafting a dream list of publications that I would target.
Of course, what fun is to spend an entire month slogging through query writing if you can’t bring your friends down with you? (misery loves company as they say). I sent an email out, got lots of responses and lo and behold NaTraWriMo was born.
The Concept
Based on the wildly popular National Novel Writing Month (Or NaNoWriMo), this travel writing social experiment seeks to push our boundaries as writers. While NaNo focuses on writing a 50,000 word novel in one month, we’re trying to send 31 query letters between August 1 -31, 2008.
Novel writing is very different than writing 1000 word articles for publication. Before you’ve gotten over the glow of a single acceptance, it’s time to send out more pitches (there is no monthly or yearly lag between selling). So we are focused on writing a small amount per day (a single letter to an editor) but at a quality level you feel comfortable sending to a publication. That’s right. You write and you submit. Wash, Rinse and Repeat (31 times).
Want to play?
Well I have a few folks who have volunteered to come along for the ride with me, and we’d love to have more. I created a simple forum for us to communicate with, and I think over time it will be a great resource for travel writers in general.
If you want to sign up go to almostfearless.com/NaTraWriMo, register and post an introduction!
Don’t have time, but still like to play?
I also received a bunch of emails from folks who’d love to do it, but are too busy finishing their book, traveling or just want a break in August (no rest for the wicked). If you can’t commit, you can still join in the conversations. Also, we do make exceptions for writing articles (they count if they are going to an editor) or for photographers, or if you want to work on your guidebook instead. So come on over and say hi!
July 30th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I’ll be there. Can’t wait to see what all of us accomplish by August 31st!
Loris last blog post..Yosemite In Pictures
July 31st, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Such a great idea to set this up Christine! Looking forward to seeing the results at the end of the month, and I’ll be there to cheer everyone on!
Pokins last blog post..How to get into North Korea
August 1st, 2008 at 12:54 am
Now that’s what I call a great idea! I’m in and I’m going to use August to work on query letters and non-blog travel-related non-fiction. Thanks for getting us started.
Monnas last blog post..Remembering Terry Fox
August 1st, 2008 at 7:19 am
Thanks guys! It starts today, so if you haven’t already, go introduce yourself in the intro thread and officially throw your hat in!
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:59 am
I wish I had the time… ***sigh***
But from my days as a full-time freelance writer, the one thing I remember is that query letters were harder and took longer to write than the story!
So this is a great challenge - getting this end of the business down pat is definitely the cornerstone of publication, in my opinion.
I look forward to following the contest…
Scribetrotters last blog post..How to Learn a Language
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Great idea, Christine! I actually did NaNoWriMo twice and found it to be a really worthwhile experience. Your idea for a travel writing month is genius. I don’t have time to do it this year, but in the spirit, I will dedicate the month of August to getting my travel blog in better shape.
Good luck to all the travel writers! I hope it’s a success and I’ll look forward to joining you all next year.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:54 am
Oh dear, is that why all my editors have been saying August was their worst month ever, that their in boxes have been flooded with pitches?
lara dunstons last blog post..Top 10 things to buy in Dubai, pt 2
September 1st, 2008 at 5:16 am
If by worst you mean most awesome. But seriously, with 445 pitches going out to over 100 publications over 31 days, I don’t think we made that kind of impact on editors. This was more about individuals pushing themselves and as much as I’d like to think we made that big of an impact on the industry, I’m sure it has more to do with people ramping up for 2009 than our little challenge.
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