WHEN Thursday, August 21, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE University Settlement, 273 Bowery (at E. Houston), New York, NY 10002 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info

Course Details

As a guidebook author, you show up in a town, seek out the best hotels, restaurants, bars, cultural events, and recreation to write about them. Guidebooks offer the chance to write about history, sports, politics, art, food, music -- you name it. How do these companies function? How do you convince a guidebook company that you are the right person for the job? What is the work really like? If you've ever read through a guidebook and fantasized about being the writer, this seminar is for you.

• The setup of this quirky publishing sub-industry
• Which guidebook series appeals to which travel market -- and which is the best fit for you
• How to position your travel and writing experience for a guidebook company, and how to pitch them successfully
• The realities of the guidebook writer lifestyle
• How to write your sample chapter and what the editors are looking for
• Specifics of guidebook writing style

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Instructor Bio

Michael Grosberg's Courses

Michael Grosberg is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, NY who has worked as an author on thirteen Lonely Planet guidebooks including Burma (Myanmar), the Philippines, Tunisia, Ghana, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Mexico, the US, South Africa, Germany, and Denmark. He received a Master's degree in comparative literature at New York University and taught writing and literature as an adjunct professor at Fordham University, Pratt Institute, and the Steven's Institute of Technology. Michael investigated and wrote about political violence and other social issues in post-apartheid South Africa and co-wrote a nationally distributed manual on the local government's role in economic development. He has traveled extensively in Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Testimonials

Michael was great. He gave us a candid take on what really goes into writing a travel guidebook. -- Kerry Acker

"Ths class provided the nuts and bolts needed to break into travel guidebook writing along with many real world insights that only someone who has lived it could share." -- Liz Humphreys

"Michael has a way of bringing his experiences to the listener so effectively that you walk away with a great understanding of what it means to be a travel guidebook author." -- Bryan Sorensen

"It was great to hear first hand experience from Michael. He gave a realistic and honest assessment of the job. I got a very good picture what to expect and what it takes to succeed to be a travel guide writer/author." -- Maria San Jose

"Michael was able to address everyone's questions and he hung around afterwards to chat with anyone who needed it. He was very approachable and amiable. I'd take another class from him." -- Jackie Jones

"Michael has the experience, both in travel and in the business of travel writing, to teach what it's like to be a real, working travel writer -- not only the glory of the job, but the pitfalls and annoyances as well." -- Erik Trinidad