Moon Staff Blog
About this blog
The Moon Water Cooler is a place for Moon staffers to share what's new in their world. Check back often to hear about author events, book releases, travel trends, and maybe even some staff recommendations for what part of the world to explore next.
Recent Posts
- Two Reasons This Week is Awesome: Earth Day and National Park Week
- The Glory, the Groundwork, and the Grind of Travel Writing
- Finding Pizza Nirvana in Nashville
- Guest Interview: Exploring Offbeat Mexico with Churpa Rogers
- Guest Interview: The People's Guide to Mexico Authors Carl Franz and Lorena Havens
- Guest Post: Top 10 Gifts for Road Trippers
- Hawaii Giveaway Winner Announced
- Win a Round-Trip Ticket to Hawaii from Moon and Hawaiian Airlines!
- Why Moving to Belize Isn’t as Hard as You’d Think
- From Dosas to Dumplings: My Eight Favorite Toronto Restaurants
- Guest Post: At Least We Have Pizza – The Cost of Living in Mexico vs. New York City
- Hawai'i: A Foodie Paradise — Part Two
- Hawai'i: A Foodie Paradise — Part One
- Exploring California via Road Trip with Moon California Road Trip
- Enjoying the Outdoors in the Black Hills of South Dakota
So You Want To Write for Moon Travel Guides?
So You Want To Write for Moon?
First of all, thank you! I am so happy that there are people out there who want to write travel guidebooks because it is hard. (For insight, check out American Nomad Laura Martone's post on the subject.) And it won't make you rich. But, most of the writers I've hired have wanted to work on more guidebooks, so the experience does have its rewards. Plus, working in guidebooks is a great conversation starter, and you, as writers (unlike us editors), will have a more satisfying answer to the inevitable first question: Do you get to travel? more >>
Moon Author Reflects on the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
By Ruthy Kanagy
Two weeks have passed since the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in northeast Honshu, the main island of Japan. As I follow the news here in Oregon on Japanese TV, it's been heart-wrenching to see the faces of thousands who lost their families and homes—including those who've had to abandon their homes near the nuclear power plant in Fukushima.
Thankfully, my brother who lives in Tokyo is safe—he emailed our family right after the earthquake. Some of my friends in Tokyo said they had to walk 18 kilometers home the day of the earthquake because train service was disrupted. While the nuclear power plant crisis continues, hundreds of aftershocks rattle the region daily. Today there was a 6.0 'aftershock' and another tsunami warning, which was later withdrawn. more >>
Get Your Bay Area Hike On This Spring
In a week, spring will be here. Weather-wise, we have it easy in Berkeley, but we couldn’t be happier to see signs that warmer weather is on its way. Bay Area hikers share our sentiments and are dusting off their boots to take advantage of the sun’s staying power, beautiful blossoms, and wildlife that abound on our trails. Just ask Ann Marie Brown, well-known outdoors expert, and author of newly released Moon 101 Great Hikes of the San Francisco Bay Area. more >>
Ballpark Tours Provide Taste of the Big Leagues
“People ask what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” –Rogers Hornsby
If you’re like me—someone who regards the Super Bowl merely as a marker for the return of baseball season—then you’re probably starting to get that itch that begins every February. All of a sudden you’re hearing phantom cracks of a bat echo in the distance and you’re dying to yell out, “LET’S GO [insert your favorite team name here]!” CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP. Chances are you're seriously craving a stadium dog and a way-too-big bag of peanuts as well. more >>
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.