Interview: Maralyn D. Hill, President of IFWTWA

Updated: Jan 12th, 2010

For those that don’t already know, IFWTWA stands for the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association. It is a global network of people involved in the hospitality and lifestyle industries and the writers, bloggers, and journalists who promote them by informing others about them.

This past week I had the great pleasure of interviewing Maralyn Hill, president of the Association, who graciously agreed to squeeze me into her busy travel and writing schedule, and to answer many of the questions our members have been asking.

The interview runs around 18 minutes, and is full of interesting information about the IFWTWA and why you should join – if you’re not already a member, you should definitely give it a listen!

Enjoy!
~Trisha

Audio Podcast: Click to Listen

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Download the PDF Transcript – 100KB PDF file

About Trisha Miller 116 Articles
Trisha Miller Editor-in-Chief, TravelWritersExchange.com - Trisha joined the Travel Industry in 1996 with a background in telecommunications and helped to build (and later sell) one of the industry's top inbound call centers specializing in air travel. Her career in Travel Writing began with creating destination-specific content for a corporate travel intranet, and continued as she contributed content to a large number of travel-related companies that were establishing an online presence throughout the late '90's and early '00's. Currently she is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, and a former Board Member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (2009-2015).  Still a frequent world traveler, and occasional guest-blogger on a number of other Travel Blogs, Trisha writes about travel and technology, sometimes both at the same time. You can follow Trisha on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/TravelWriting

14 Comments

  1. Thanks for the interview. I do agree that writing takes discipline. Sometimes life takes over, but stick with your writing. It will come together.

  2. Wow! The fees are really cheap. Most organizations charge $200 and up. Brillian! I’ll definitely check out the IFWTWA. I like that I can create a profile. I’m used to social networking/marketing. I’m all over the place.

  3. What a great interview! I agree that the fees for the IFWTWA are reasonable. Find them on Facebook and become their friend :)

    I also agree that writing takes discipline. I’ve been working on other projects which has distracted me from a few of my writing projects. Then again, I get so many ideas that I run in different directions. I’m working on that — finish one, then go onto another. Oh! Well. I’ll get back on track…

  4. Thanx for the interview! I was not aware that IFWTWA has been around for a very long time. It’s very kool that they were formed in Paris — one of my favorite cities. Maybe I’ll drop some “change” and become a member. It couldn’t hurt.

  5. First of all, thank you Trisha for interviewing me. I’m quite excited to share some of what IFWTWA is doing.

    For all of you who have commented, I’d like to thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m always willing to discuss further the benefits of IFWTWA.

    It’s exciting to be involved with an organization moving forward. I say I was born to travel and tell the tale. I love travel and food, wine added in are a cultural geography lessons and I love to keep learning.

    Don’t get discouraged if you have to have a regular job and writing has to be an advocation. If you keep with it, keep learning and keep publishing (even small pieces), you can make inroads.

    One of the keys is to keep improving your writing skills. That will help you in all walks of life.

  6. Hi Maralyn – thanks for stopping by!

    That is very good advice – I would only add that writers should also definitely belong to organizations like yours (IFWTWA) – the benefits are great and can help turn a part-time job into a full-time career. While there is never any guarantee (much depends on the skills of the writer), why not give yourself every advantage possible?

  7. Delightful interview. I think joining the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association is a splendid idea. It’s very cost effective What a great way to connect with other writers.

  8. Great Interview. I am a member of IFWTWA and encourage any food, wine and travel writers (and those aspiring to be) to join. The benefits are countless!

  9. Thanks John – Maralyn gives a good interview, doesn’t she? I agree about the benefits – it’s a great value for anyone who writes about those fields of interest.

  10. Inspirational interview. My thanks to both Maralyn and Trisha for making this happen.

    As an aspiring writer I find myself frustrated often. It is easy for me to lose focus and become more invested in my failures and shortcomings rather than the occasional successes which are truly what I should be most attentive to.

    I’ll take your advice and keep plugging away! My best wishes for you both!

  11. Just downloaded the transcript (better for making notes etc), will go over it properly later.

    IFWTWA combines two of the best things in life, food and travel, with a way to live and enjoy them, writing. Way to go!

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