The 2012 Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  07.22.12 | 3:17 PM ET

The country’s premier travel writing conference is fast approaching. This year’s Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference takes place Aug. 9-12 in Corte Madera, Calif., just a few minutes’ drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Spaces are still available.

I’ll be back on the faculty, teaching online writing and blogging with Pam Mandel. This year’s faculty also includes New Yorker Staff Writer Susan Orlean, Afar Editor Julia Cosgrove, San Francsico Chronicle Travel Editor Spud Hilton and dozens of other accomplished writers, editors and photographers.

Many students at the conference have gone on to contribute to World Hum and a wide range of publications.

What’s the conference like? I loved Lavinia Spalding’s reflection on last year’s conference:

Around midnight on Saturday, I sat in a piazza under a perfectly full moon listening to my new friend Pam Mandel strum a ukulele. On my left, legendary travel writer Don George crooned “I Will Survive,” while across the table, San Francisco Chronicle travel editor Spud Hilton plucked at his own ukulele. On my right, award-winning photographer Liza Gershmann used my iphone to search for lyrics to an Indigo Girls’ tune, and World Hum’s Jim Benning sang a Death Cab for Cutie song. Together, we belted out “Rocket Man,” “The Rainbow Connection,” and “It Had to Be You.” Our coda was “Summertime”—the perfect song to end the perfect evening.

You really should’ve been there.

Let me rephrase that: you really could have been there.

This was no private party for the travel-writing elite or some secret society of travelerati. It was the annual Book Passage Travel and Food Writing & Photography Conference in Corte Madera, California—open to anyone and hands down the most exciting writing event I’ve ever attended. Consider this: there’s no application process, no previous publishing credits required. No judgment, ego, or cliques, and absolutely no limit to the connections you can make.

Her post—you can read the entire piece here—captures the vibe perfectly. I’ve been to more than a few conferences around the country. Book Passage is unique. What I love most is its emphasis on great writing and photography, and the friendly, informal gatherings that run well into each night. There’s plenty of time during classes and lectures to talk about craft. Then the party really kicks off over dinner and wine. Ukuleles come out. On Saturday night, karaoke is sung inflicted. It’s a lot of fun. But more than that, it’s a genuinely inspirational experience.

You can register for the conference here.

Tags: News and Briefs


21 Comments for The 2012 Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference

Frank Parisi 07.24.12 | 2:52 AM ET

Wow ! I am going to take part in this year Conference on August 9-12, 2012. It will allow us to spend four days in beautiful Northern California writing, work shopping, networking, and perfecting their craft with an internationally acclaimed faculty.


Regards -
Frank
http://paradorgranada.com/

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC 07.25.12 | 11:53 PM ET

I attended the conference some years back (when it was just travel writers and no photographers). One of the best things I ever did - I highly recommend it.  Best part was all those wonderful speakers (Don George, Georgia Hesse, Jan Morris, Pico Iyer and more).

Marty Sarbey de Souto, CTC 07.25.12 | 11:57 PM ET

I already did—see above!
Marty

reverse phone 07.26.12 | 3:16 AM ET

very nice post, i definitely enjoy this fabulous website,
carry on it

http://ppiclaimsuk.webstarts.com/ 07.27.12 | 9:17 PM ET

Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort
to create a superb article_ but what can I say_ I
put things off a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done. Find Out More

http://www.getforexautomoney.net/ 07.28.12 | 4:36 AM ET

The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me just as much as
this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read,
however I actually thought you’d have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention. http://www.getforexautomoney.net/

personal injury solicitors 07.29.12 | 2:12 PM ET

This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information_ Appreciate your sharing
this one. A must read post! accident claim

Coach Singapore 07.31.12 | 10:10 PM ET

great idea! great shots! love it!
thanks for your sharing. hope you can share more ... I really appreciate your sharing.
Bus From Singapore To Malaysia

Tropical Holidays 08.02.12 | 2:25 AM ET

It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

Trip To India 08.06.12 | 3:02 AM ET

hope you will write more ,thanks a lot for your information.  India Tours

http://www.mybadcreditloans.org.uk/ 08.06.12 | 11:51 AM ET

Very good article! We will be linking to this
particularly great post on our website. Keep up the great writing.
loans for bad credit

Famous-Photographer.net 08.14.12 | 10:03 AM ET

I was able to join this conference. I could say that it was really an awesome experience! I hope to join more conference like this in the future.

Sarah 08.22.12 | 1:24 PM ET

Looks like a really good conference to get myself to, thanks
___________________________
Check out this site for the best payday loans deals and offers with instant monet deposits

luxeinacity 08.29.12 | 3:35 AM ET

Thanks for sharing this bit of information. It is very appropriate for luxury travelers to be in.

Visit [url=http://www.luxeinacity.com]http://www.luxeinacity.com [/url] for information on the best luxury destinations and accommodations around the world.

Holidays in Malaysia 08.30.12 | 3:06 AM ET

Great Writing and Thank’s for ideas

Punjabi Matrimonial 09.11.12 | 9:30 AM ET

We are looking forward to this conference. Hope to see some positive outcome.

*************************************************
Global Alliance Matrimonial Services offers Punjabi Matrimonial Services in Delhi NCR.

blasica 09.15.12 | 10:18 AM ET

Thanks so much for this details. I have to let you know I acknowledge on several of the factors you create here and others may need some further evaluation, but I can see your perspective. meteorites

arbani 09.15.12 | 7:05 PM ET

I was about to say something on this topic. But now i can see that everything on this topic is very amazing and extreme, so i have nothing to say here. I am just going through all the problems and being appreciated. alexander aviation

derthan 09.17.12 | 9:06 PM ET

I impressed with this post. I rarely found this. I came across this and interesting stuff is present here.I will bookmark your website and share with my friends. I am waiting for your next interesting post. 3 credit scores online

carbels 09.20.12 | 3:13 AM ET

I really experienced this amazing weblog. Please keep them arriving. Meets !This is a actually good study for me, Must confess that you are person of the best weblog owners I ever saw. Thanks for publishing information. wedding greeting cards

viagra 09.20.12 | 11:55 AM ET

fqrzqt viagra

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.