Comments on: Tips for updating a guidebook http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html Banter between travel writers, travel PRs and travel social media people Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:59:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The cake and the cockroach | Travel Blather http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html/comment-page-1#comment-677 The cake and the cockroach | Travel Blather Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:12:57 +0000 http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html#comment-677 [...] city of Seville updating my Frommer’s Day by Day guide to the city. As you know, this is the first time I’ve updated a guidebook, so there’s a bit of a learning curve. But something happened yesterday I hadn’t [...] [...] city of Seville updating my Frommer’s Day by Day guide to the city. As you know, this is the first time I’ve updated a guidebook, so there’s a bit of a learning curve. But something happened yesterday I hadn’t [...]

]]> By: Jeremy Head http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html/comment-page-1#comment-278 Jeremy Head Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:49:22 +0000 http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html#comment-278 Hi Dorothy. Thanks for your insights. Very useful. I have a meeting with my editor tomorrow night and then I'm off to Seville next week for 10 days. I plan to go back at least for another week or 2 depending on how much I get done on the first trip. Will keep you posted! Jeremy Hi Dorothy. Thanks for your insights. Very useful. I have a meeting with my editor tomorrow night and then I'm off to Seville next week for 10 days. I plan to go back at least for another week or 2 depending on how much I get done on the first trip. Will keep you posted!
Jeremy

]]> By: Dorothy Stannard http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html/comment-page-1#comment-277 Dorothy Stannard Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:38:02 +0000 http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html#comment-277 Hi Jeremy, After just two years, I would be surprised if your editor allows you to do too many structural changes, as these will be expensive in production/in-house terms. He or she is probably requiring a straightforward update of existing material – all practical info updated, new sights and attractions added and defunct ones deleted, and any history section brought up to date. That said, this cannot be done on the phone or through the internet. There is absolutely no substitute for pounding the pavements from dawn until midnight (and probably a lot later than that in Seville). Many small changes cannot be discovered any other way – the entrance to an attraction is now the exit, a previously traffic-clogged side street has been pedestrianised, an art-rich church is about to close for a five-year renovation, a museum has shifted its exhibits, etc, etc. Genuine on-the-ground research will shine through in the revisions you submit, and your editor will ask you to update in another two years – probably giving you a bigger budget and more scope for changes. If an updater delivers stuff that could have been gleaned on the internet by the office intern, next time around they’ll source an updater living in the destination (unless, of course, the author’s contract gives first refusal on any update – quite unusual in this day and age). All this will be time-consuming and expensive, and the fee is likely to be relatively small, so you may not make much money, unless you also line up some freelance journalism on the back of your trip. If possible, as with new books, see if the local Tourist Board can at least supply a freedom pass for sights and museums and maybe a transport pass – these small costs really mount up. If not, discuss such expenses with your editor. To some extent, how much time you spend on the project, has to depend on your fee, but I would pencil in a two-week stay for on-the-ground research plus time back in the UK. Hi Jeremy,
After just two years, I would be surprised if your editor allows you to do too many structural changes, as these will be expensive in production/in-house terms. He or she is probably requiring a straightforward update of existing material – all practical info updated, new sights and attractions added and defunct ones deleted, and any history section brought up to date.
That said, this cannot be done on the phone or through the internet. There is absolutely no substitute for pounding the pavements from dawn until midnight (and probably a lot later than that in Seville). Many small changes cannot be discovered any other way – the entrance to an attraction is now the exit, a previously traffic-clogged side street has been pedestrianised, an art-rich church is about to close for a five-year renovation, a museum has shifted its exhibits, etc, etc. Genuine on-the-ground research will shine through in the revisions you submit, and your editor will ask you to update in another two years – probably giving you a bigger budget and more scope for changes. If an updater delivers stuff that could have been gleaned on the internet by the office intern, next time around they’ll source an updater living in the destination (unless, of course, the author’s contract gives first refusal on any update – quite unusual in this day and age).
All this will be time-consuming and expensive, and the fee is likely to be relatively small, so you may not make much money, unless you also line up some freelance journalism on the back of your trip. If possible, as with new books, see if the local Tourist Board can at least supply a freedom pass for sights and museums and maybe a transport pass – these small costs really mount up. If not, discuss such expenses with your editor.
To some extent, how much time you spend on the project, has to depend on your fee, but I would pencil in a two-week stay for on-the-ground research plus time back in the UK.

]]> By: Charlie Peverett http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html/comment-page-1#comment-276 Charlie Peverett Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:44:21 +0000 http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html#comment-276 Nothing useful to add Jeremy, but interesting thread on a topic that I'd never previously considered. The wonders of niche. At the risk of falling into Alex B's trap, if you're thinking of adding a section on Seville's local wildlife (there isn't one, right?) I AM AVAILABLE. BTW, why are you 'Mr Jeremy Head' on Amazon? Nothing useful to add Jeremy, but interesting thread on a topic that I'd never previously considered. The wonders of niche.

At the risk of falling into Alex B's trap, if you're thinking of adding a section on Seville's local wildlife (there isn't one, right?) I AM AVAILABLE.

BTW, why are you 'Mr Jeremy Head' on Amazon?

]]> By: Victoria Trott http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html/comment-page-1#comment-275 Victoria Trott Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:52:17 +0000 http://www.travelblather.com/2009/09/tips-for-updating-a-guidebook.html#comment-275 I've just come back from a three-week research trip around Brittany for a guidebook. I agree with Matthew's comments totally - check things in person. Definitely speak to the locals about where they go. Try and find local listings mags for restaurant and bar recommendations. Tripadvisor is always worth checking out for hotel reviews. As for how long you should spend there - it has to be cost effective for you ie if you're getting expenses and how much profit you make from the fee. Draft an itinerary/plan of what you'll do on each day before you go, if possible. I've just come back from a three-week research trip around Brittany for a guidebook. I agree with Matthew's comments totally - check things in person. Definitely speak to the locals about where they go. Try and find local listings mags for restaurant and bar recommendations. Tripadvisor is always worth checking out for hotel reviews. As for how long you should spend there - it has to be cost effective for you ie if you're getting expenses and how much profit you make from the fee. Draft an itinerary/plan of what you'll do on each day before you go, if possible.

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