Thanks for your feedback; glad you enjoyed the article. You’re right– there are lots of ethical (not to mention legal) issues surrounding “freebies.” Many established and reputable publications have specific guidelines about how freebies should be handled and, in many cases, do not permit their writers to accept them at all. If memory serves, the food critics for The New York Times are not permitted to accept free meals; rather, they are given a stipend for their meals and are expected to maintain a low profile when at the restaurant. But even in the absence of the publication’s articulated policy, the writer should develop a clear set of his or her own personal ethics and guidelines that govern acceptance of freebies, junkets, and the like. My own guidelines (stated briefly) are full disclosure to the reader and not feeling pressured to produce a piece that is a rave about a book or a place unless that’s truly how I feel. In full disclosure, I have not gone on any media/press trips. I was accepted for one, but ultimately decided not to go due to scheduling conflicts. Please let me know the address for your own blog; I’d love to read more of your thoughts about the issue.

Craig- Great point! I feel an article in the making on that subject. I have a couple of acquaintances who live on boats, and it’s made me think about how they deal with some of the bureaucratic aspects of life: mail, taxes, etc. Can I get you interested in this piece as a collaborator or a source?

Peace,
Julie

Someone made a very good point in the comments on The Guardian (or The Times?) the other day, and that was along the lines of car reviewers don’t have to buy new cars to test-drive them (they’re borrowed), and then I was reminded that book reviewers get free books to write about, film critics get free movie tickets (a job I did years ago), etc, and food critics either get wined and dined with PR people or they eat anonymously in which case their publisher pays. So all other critics/reviewers either get freebies or whopping big expense accounts, yet travel writers just get beaten up about this.

This is something I’m going to explore more on my own blog – both the ethics and the practicalities.

So it’s refreshing to see you sharing this – I’ve just linked to it, and as I’ve just discovered this fab blog, I’ve added it to my blogroll. Very cool! Thanks!

All great thoughts, and a super, concrete point about book reviews.

I`d really like to learn more about the ins and outs of press trips. It seems to be a slightly dangerous game – I don`t want to play until I`m sure I know the rules…

Your very last sentence is what struck me the most. As a newbie, I find it hard not to feel jealous of other writers’ success and tremendous talent. It’s nice to be reminded that it’s all about cooperation, not competition.

Everyone– what other secrets would you add?

We should never underestimate how much learning from each other can actually help us improve our craft.