Get your memories in print

Here are two websites that are worth considering Photobox and http://www.lulu.com/

Lulu I’ve not tried yet, but Photobox is excellent.

Usually those who choose to bypass publishers and editors are called “vanity writers”. The implication is that you think you are so good you go ahead and publish your own work at great expense… and no body really reads it, just perhaps you and some friends of yours (who are polite and keep a copy). Personally, I think that whilst it is nice (but only nice) to have one’s work recognised by publishers; that there is no reason at all that you shouldn’t take your work direct to the world. At the end do the day, if your work is any good, it will be read, and if it isn’t - well, no body will buy your book. Simple. Let the public decide. This website enables regular Joe Soaps to get their work printed in paperback with ISBN number and global distribution. The book will also be sold on line and you make money if you are really lucky and really good. Simple.

I’ve also been reading up on travel writing and most of the advice seems really obvious and logical - like you won‘t make money doing travel writing. The most important thing that I’ve learnt so far is to be accurate about place. Do not do a place injustice or make it up. Inaccurate facts will get you in trouble. I guess that is fair. Avoid clichés. Admittedly, I think that must be really hard to do in practical terms. And the other thing was to find a niche or speciality that you can become knowledgeable about. The last bit of advice was to WRITE. So there! Write and write some more and then publish your book. If no body reads it, at least you have a very cool book to remember your travels and hand down to your grand-kiddies.

Something I have tried and its really effective and affordable is Photobox that is part of The Carphone Warehouse's online offer. You can make a hard cover 20 page book of your photos. All you have to do is set up a user account, upload your favourite pictures and then start making your book. Its all templates and drag and drop. For the reasonable price of £20 you can have a glossy, professional book of your favourite travel memories.