Travel Writing Workshop in Sunny Key West

There are still a few spots left in the popular Key West Travel Writing Workshop run by our own Bob Fisher this coming January and February in that "Caribbean"-like outpost off the US mainland. Since 1991, a few lucky souls who love travel and like to write have been learning how to combine these two attributes into one, studying the secrets of travel writing. For more than 18 years, Bob has been teaching a kind of Travel Writing 101 to small classes, and happily reports that some of his former students have gone on to full time careers in the business, publishing magazine and newspaper articles, even books (self-published and non self-published).

Whether you intend to make writing about travel your fulltime profession or a second occupation, or just want to improve your twittering, blog or memoirs, you should check this out:

How to shape your writing and then market it successfully is the theme. The workshop is organized by the Heritage House Museum & Garden, a romantic compound that includes the island's second oldest house, the Robert Frost Cottage (where the poet lived in winter), and a luscious garden with the Florida Keys' best collection of orchids.

There are two identical classes, the first to be held from January 30 to February 1, 2009, the second one week later, from February 6 to 8. Bob presents his course in the museum gardens and in the Frost Cottage, where he'll bring his updated curriculum (including blogs, memoirs and self-publishing) to a maximum of 14 students in each session. The cost is just $275 (payable to Heritage House) for two days of instruction (four hours per day on each Saturday and Sunday), an evening reception (on Friday) and optional tutoring and critique sessions (between classes or on the Monday following).

There will be optional written and oral assignments. Students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop, not for classes, but for their homework chores. An outline of the course can be found on the Heritage House website (see below), where you can also read more about Bob's credentials.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Key West and accommodations while there. The Heritage House website gives current recommendations for moderately priced lodging and other helpful information about this popular winter getaway spot. Early registration is advised, as January and February are peak months for Key West and airline tickets and lodging may be difficult to obtain later on.

All events take place at Heritage House Museum, 410 Caroline Street, Key West FL 33040. You can register online at www.heritagehousemuseum.org, or contact them at tel. 305/296-3573 or by email at heritagehouse AT aol DOT com. Questions about the course can be directed to Bob at bobharu AT aol DOT com.