Andrea Wren: Journalist

Please vote for me as Face of Travel 2009!

Will you vote for me as the Face of Travel 2009?

I would really love the opportunity to accelerate my travel agency business by achieving this award - and all you have to do is enter your email - it's as easy as that (and it won't be stored)!

http://www.faceoftravel.co.uk/entries/me.php?id=136

It's a case of most votes gets you to the finals, so I'd love it if you could simply take the time to enter your email for a casting vote!

Even better, if you could also use the links on the page to tweet about me, and add me to your Facebook profile - I would appreciate it SO MUCH!

Thanks!

Cultural connections in Manchester with new listings site

As Manchester is my home town and I'd like people to experience the best of it, I just thought I'd point out a new culture and arts listings site set up by a guy called Stu, who felt that the city needed something that pulled this kind of information together.

It's not a business, just a network, so it's free to register and be involved with - Stu told me he just wanted to highlight how much stuff connected with the arts is going on in Manchester pretty much every day of the week, and he also said he wanted to give people a chance to meet up with others doing the same thing.

Anyhow, if you're interested finding out more (it's especially worthwhile for arty newbies to the city), 'Culture Club' can be found here: http://bee-manc.wikispot.org/

Mediawomenuk - are you there?

It just occurred to me that I'm unsure as to whether I have ever mentioned on my website what a great resource for women working in the media is - wait for it - MediaWomenUK!

From its beginnings almost 4 years ago in February 2005, the group has very much grown and is a hive of activity and support for female journalists, photographers, PRs and anyone else who can claim their work to be in the media.

Joanne Mallon, media life coach who founded the group, is a very active member herself and is always on hand to answer questions and provide feedback or pointers.

If you're not already there - it's worth joining up.

 

Click to join mediawomenuk

From travel journalist to travel agent: Wren Elite Travel!

You might know that I was doing a bit of work with another travel business over the course of the year, but I'm so used to working for myself I decided that I needed to go it alone - hello Wren Elite Travel!

Wren Elite Travel is an online agency which aims to bridge the gap between high street agent and a 'faceless' internet booking system - a web-base, but offering high levels of personalised customer service. You are in contact with a human-being, and when it comes to choice, I'm a fully independent agent so can offer lots of it (and importantly, full financially protected as I'm a member of the Travel Trust Association!).

The focus is on specialist travel and luxury travel - adventure, activity, escorted treks and tours, safari & wildlife, tailor-made travel and upmarket luxury beach holidays as well as city breaks.

I am still doing some journalist work, when I have the time, and of course, travel writing is especially on my list!

Find more about it at: http://www.wrenelitetravel.co.uk

How to be a freelance writer (and get published), Manchester-based workshop

Have you always dreamed of becoming a freelance writer, getting published, and getting paid for it, but felt this was something that 'other people did'? Do you think only people who have spent years in journalism training and 'on the job' can become writers?

If you'd love to get published, whether it's just the occasional article, or whether you'd like to make a full-time living from writing (as I do), then you might be interested to know I'm running a workshop in Manchester for people interested in the very basics of getting published, to help inspire and provide guidance on how to realise your dream.

HOW TO BE A FREELANCE WRITER (AND GET PUBLISHED!) is a 1 day workshop to be held at Gorton Monastery on Saturday 29th November 2008.

As a person who made a huge leap from a career in social care working with young offenders, to someone who got a feature commissioned by The Guardian within 4 months of deciding that I 'wanted to be a writer,' I KNOW that if I can do it, ANYONE CAN – with the right approach!

Now, The Guardian is one of my main clients, but I also write or have written for publications such as Spirit & Destiny, The Times, The Independent, Guardian Weekend, Glamour magazine, Natural Health, healthy, Candis magazine, North West Business Insider, www.handbag.com, www.iVillage.co.uk and many more.

THE AIM of this 1-day workshop is to introduce beginners to the world of freelance writing, focusing on non-fiction articles and features writing, and teach you the types of things you need to be doing to get editors to take you seriously. The workshop will focus on:

• From absolute beginner to experienced writer – what does it take?

• Developing the mind set & approach that will help you get published

• What editors are looking for and how to get noticed

• Developing your writing style according to the area you want to write in

• Building useful networks and contacts

The cost is £75 per person including lunch and refreshments, and the location is Gorton Monastery, Gorton Lane, Manchester, M12 5WF (http://www.gortonmonastery.co.uk). 

Date: 29th November 2008

Duration: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Please drop me an email for more information or to book, or telephone on 07793537352!