Pissing Off the Kingston Daily Freeman

Any writing gig is tough, and the lines for travel ad revenue hard fought for. I recently sent a letter to the opinion page of the Kingston Daily Freeman about their headline piece on Jan. 1 2007 and I must have struck a nerve. After traveling with some newspaper travel writers this fall I heard horror stories about cuts, firings and other nightmares. Some papers even cut out stories that they sent the writers on. Bad form; PR firms gave spots to those writers on the basis of coverage. While I sympathize with some papers’ shrinking revenues I also understand that PR firms, airlines and tourism boards also have fiscal concerns. I have never denied that I do go on press trips; with the pay travel writers get it is sometimes a necessity. I have, however, also told a fair and accurate account of my adventures. I was a little surprised by the editor’s note after my letter.

Apparently I am a “shame” because I missed the Dec. 17 edition covering a passport story, I happened to be on assignment.. I meant no disrespect to a paper that I have frequently praised. I emailed the response and my letter to several well placed friends, editors and writers at some major papers and online sites. All were kind of amazed; “Who did you piss off St. John?” was common in return correspondence. Some even asked if they could do a piece about it, stating that opinion is just that. All agreed that maybe my line about online travel revenue tipped the scales. I was also amazed that I received so many emails in shock and support of a letter that basically extolled the beauty and value of the area I live in. While I personally found it funny, many did not. Hey, I walk both sides of the street as an editor and freelancer; I know it’s tough on all fronts.

When I first chose to devote myself to GoNOMAD.com when it started it was a tough choice. Respect from all those I had to deal with in my profession was tenuous at best. I was told it was a bad move. Fortunately I maintained relationships with print, radio and other online publications. All in all, especially now that we get pieces from writers at the big boys wanting an online presence, I know that I made a good choice. I will still truck down to the Corner Deli in Cottekill to buy the paper I grew up with; I just may get the Times Herald Record also, my fifty cents worth might just make a difference. Times have changed and opinions have also.