Radio interview and guest blog post - Your Life, Unlimited

It is always wonderful to hear that someone has just 'discovered' Sex in a Tent and found it inspiring and fun. I was recently contacted by Stephanie Staples, a professional public speaker, coach and radio host. She interviewed me live on her radio show Your Life, Unlimited which aims to educate and inspire people to live healthier, stronger, happier lives.

I had a great time talking to Stephanie - and trying to keep the conversation family-friendly since her show airs on Sunday mornings!

If you'd like to hear the interview and/or read the guest post I wrote for her blog, follow this link.

No such thing as bad publicity

The Huffington Post is one of those online neighbourhoods where it's very fashionable to be spotted. So when I was told that Sex in a Tent had been featured in a post there, I was feeling very smug indeed.

The fact that it's on a list of "18 Sex Books with Unusual Covers" works for me. After all, Valentine's Day is just around the corner and nothing says "I love you" like a sex book with an unusual cover.

Read the post here.

Have fun celebrating with your loved one, in whatever way you choose! (Even if it involves sock moneys.) If you don't yet have your copy of Sex in a Tent - they're ready for shipping at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble!

Cosmo Calling

When Sex in a Tent first came out, I was working with the publisher to get as much publicity as possible for it. They sent review copies to tons of magazine hoping to get word out. There was a pretty good response overall, particularly in "outdoors" circles like Sierra Magazine and the Mountain Gazette, but the mainstream didn't really go for it.

However, a year and a half later mainstream women's magazines seem to be waking up to the fact that the outdoors is sexy! A while ago I found myself in the enviable position of being asked by three big magazines to contribute to articles about sex in the great outdoors. I guess it's an idea whose time has come!

The first to hit the newsstands is the June issue of Cosmopolitan (American edition). Sadly my contribution has boiled down to 5 places to get it on outside, and my credit is microscopic - but every little bit helps.

Stay tuned for updates as the other articles (hopefully) make their appearances! I'll be crossing my fingers that all of this talk about outdoor nookie revitalises book sales for the summer.

Take On Camping Bites the Dust

I'm officially a victim of the recession! Last week my contract for writing "Take On Camping" was turfed, along with the entire "Take It On" series. Publishers, like everyone else, are looking to slash costs - and apparently how-to books aimed at women are on the chopping block.

On the bright side, I can now spend less of my spare time writing about camping, and hopefully more time actually doing it!

Sympathy gifts of free camping gear or alternate book contracts are welcome ;o)

One Book - Two Titles

I'm doing some reading as part of my research for "Take On Camping", including other instructional books on the subject.

Recently I took the well-known guide "The Backpacker's Field Manual" out of the library for a bit of a refresher. There are some interesting things in there, although it is mainly geared towards people leading groups into the backcountry.

Last weekend that book was due back at the library, so I returned it and had another browse around the bookshelf to see if there were other books on the topic I hadn't checked out yet. There I found the "Collins Camping and Hiking Manual."

I grabbed it and signed it out figuring there would probably be some worthwhile reading in it. Then I cracked it open when I got home, and much to my surprise it looked awfully familiar. Kind of like the book I had just returned.

In fact, they are exactly the same book - just slightly revised in the Collins edition to suit the UK market. (ie. metric measurements are more prevalent)

This was kind of funny to me - but what really took the cake was looking up the Collins book on Amazon.co.uk. If you shop on Amazon at all, you'll know that they often pair up two books and offer a slightly discounted price if you buy both together. Well, they were offering a discounted price to buy "The Backpacker's Field Manual" AND "Collins Camping and Hiking Manual" - that's right, two versions of THE SAME BOOK!

I'm guessing Amazon simply didn't realise these were the same book with two titles - or at least I hope not. I hate to think they were intentionally trying to rip people off like that. It's a useful book and all, but I think one copy is enough for most people.

Dunedin Calling

Photo: Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club

Hey y'all. I'm off to the South Island city of Dunedin next week for some work-related goodness. But while I'm there, I'm going to drop in on the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club for their regular Thursday night meet.

I'll be bringing a few copies of Sex in a Tent, in case anyone's keen to take a copy home.

So if you or someone you know is in Dunedin - tell them to come to the Tramping Club on September 11 and say hello!

I have to be just a little jealous of this club, as they have the Southern Alps practically on their doorstep (OK, a couple of hours away) and can do some wonderful tramps without too much travel time. Check out their snowy adventure on the Milford Track.

I hope I don't get too much grief for being a Wellingtonian!

I'm Gonna "Take On Camping"

I've been holding off on announcing this until I had a contract in my hot little hands, but now it seems safe enough to get up on my box and shout.

"Take on Camping" is a new book I'll be writing for Seal Press. It's part of a whole "Take On" series which encourages women to try activities that have been traditionally male dominated like car repair, home renovation, and (apparently) camping!

The book will demystify the outdoors for women who think that they'd like to get closer to nature, but aren't sure where to begin.

Don't look for it on bookshelves just yet, though. This will be the third book in the series, and is planned for a spring 2010 release.

However, I may be putting out requests for information, advice and opinions via this blog - so be prepared to get interactive!

Trekalong With Me

Recently there was a merger between Wilderness Press (publishers of Sex in a Tent), and Menasha Ridge Press. They are now a force to be reckoned with for wilderness literature and guidebooks in the US!

One of the things that has come from the merger is an invitation for WP authors to write posts for the Trekalong.com blog.

So as a habitual blogger anyway, I have committed myself to posting over at Trekalong now and then (but probably not as often as here - gotta keep my own blog going first!)

If you haven't heard of Trekalong - hop on over sometime and check it out.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

The Seattle Times gave me a wonderful gift on Valentine's Day by publishing this article about "Sex in a Tent" by Terry Woods.

Being on the road, I didn't get around to linking to the article at the time. So here is the long overdue link!

Thumbs up from Sue Johanson

Anyone who grew up in Toronto around the time I did will know the name Sue Johanson. She's Canada's Dr. Ruth - an unassuming older woman who can talk dirtier than a sailor in Bangkok.

Sue has taught at least two generations the nitty gritty of sex, first on the Sunday Night Sex Show, a call-in radio program, then on a local cable TV show in Toronto, and now she is in her sixth season of Talking Sex With Sue, on the Oxygen Network in the US. Sue is a genuine sex-ed hero.

Anyway, I had attempted to set up an interview with her while I was writing Sex in a Tent, as it would have been great to get her take on moving the bedroom to the great outdoors. But my timing was bad, and it never happened.

So I was delighted to find a mini-review of my book on her website. I'm not sure if she also reviewed it on her show, so if you saw it, let me know. While she wasn't a fan of the cover art, she did think the contents were worthwhile. You can check it out on the bottom of this page.

It's funny how some people's opinion can mean so much to you, even if you've never met. So thank's Sue - you made my day!

InTravel Review

Online travel magazine inTravel has reviewed Sex in a Tent in their January/February issue. (Do online magazines have "issues"? Maybe "edition" is better.)

If you're not familiar with inTravel, they are a good read for armchair travellers, looking at a lot of unusual destinations from a variety of angles. Whether you're looking for something romantic (In Love), low budget (Inexpensive), morally rewarding (Involved) or just a cautionary tale (Inept) there's a story somewhere on there you'll enjoy.

If you look under the "Inept" category, you'll find a story I wrote about an experience during my first trip to New Zealand, called Attack of the Killer Seals. Ah, my solo travel days!

Happy New Year everyone!

Buy a Book - Save The World

Okay, you can only do so much about saving the world. But thanks to a new online book-selling site called "Good Books" you can pitch in a little more.

All of the profits from books sold on "Good Books" go to Oxfam, who set up all kinds of charity projects in developing countries. So instead of adding to the coffers of some online mega-corporation, your purchase is feeding a starving child, building a well for clean water, or some other such feel-good goal. Just when you thought shopping was self-indulgent!

And yes, they're selling Sex in a Tent - so feel free to make your purchase also contribute to the well-being of a struggling author in the wilds of New Zealand ;o)

Wildebeat, Society Hikers and NYC Booklovers

Apologies for my absence lately. I've just returned from a trip to Christchurch and Dunedin for research on my upcoming book Living Abroad in New Zealand. Just a quick update for the moment, and I promise more blogging soon!

The photo above is a friend of the family, Ariel Fenster, perusing Sex in a Tent at Barnes and Noble in New York City. It's great to find out where the book is sitting on shelves, so if you spot it in your corner of the world, let me know!

In other news, the interview I did with Steve Sergeant for The Wildebeat podcast is now available on their website. Here's the link. The edited interview runs about 10 minutes, and if you're a member there's an "adult" version available.

And a bit of surprise publicity - the American Hiking Society ran a story about my book on their blog a few days ago. Here's the link for that one.

I hope you've all got your last-minute gift shopping under control. Happy holidays, and I hope you get all of the new gear you've been hoping for - and a copy of Sex in a Tent of course!

Seasonal Book Publicity

I found out today that my book was mentioned on a list of Christmas gift ideas from The Times UK. It's not exactly a review, but I'll take it!

Thanks to John Hee, a UK hiker and blogger who let me know about it!

Also, over the weekend I was interview by Radio New Zealand for a piece they're putting together on "greener" ways to spend Christmas (like tramping)! Not sure when the story will air, but if I get advance notice I will post the info here for anyone with access to New Zealand radio!

Guest blogging in Oz!

Aussie couple Frank and Sue maintain "Our Hiking Blog", where they share their adventures, advice and even recipes! If you've ever thought about doing any backpacking in Australia, definitely check out their trip reports for some great ideas.

But they shone the spotlight elsewhere today, featuring an interview with me about "Sex in a Tent". You can read it here.

In other news Down Under, the book is now available for several online booksellers in both Australia and New Zealand. Check the websites for Dymocks (in Australia only), Angus & Roberston, Collins, and in NZ, Whitcoulls.

Now folks in the Southern Hemisphere can buy the book for those Christmas stockings too!

Starring on Starling

I stumbled across this today - a blurb about Sex in a Tent on the Starling Travel blog which features great places to visit in the US.

The blogosphere is a fascinating place. I love the way that things travel around from blog to blog and pop up in unexpected places. I've certainly learned not to put anything on my blog that I would want to maintain the copyright on!

Tomorrow I'm off to San Francisco, where I'll be chatting with Steve from Wildebeat. Then on Tuesday I'm hooking up with my friends at Wilderness Press in Berkeley. Ah, the jet-setting lifestyle of the first-time author...

Gabbing on Gadling and Michelle's Book Launch

Today's "Talking Travel" column on Gadling.com is entirely devoted to an interview with me about Sex in a Tent. (Click the link above to read the whole interview.) Here's a peek at the intro:

Campers around the world have surely tried their hand at this
extracurricular activity before. But even seasoned adventurers may learn
some new tips or techniques in this recent release from Wilderness Press
dedicated to the art of outdoor love. Sex in a Tent: A Wild Couple's
Guide to Getting Naughty in Nature is the first comprehensive guide to
getting it on outside, and a must have for couples looking to heat things up
during tent-toting travels.


Forget hotels and hostels for romantic getaways -- give Mother Nature a
spin! That's what writer and adventurer Michelle Waitzman set out to do with her
partner.

In other news, I had a launch party for the book in Toronto last night. Lots of friends and family came around to help me celebrate. As with most book signings by unknown authors, there wasn't a lot of "general public" there. But it was still great fun, and a nice opportunity to share my excitement. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

New Boots - and they're made for walking!

It's a good thing that I pack light when I travel, because I can't resist shopping while I'm away from home. Being back in Toronto, there are just so many products available that I can't find down in New Zealand. It was inevitable that I would go home with my bags more full than when I left - even after off-loading a bunch of gifts.

Today's purchase was a new pair of hiking boots from Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC). I already made one trip there last week, and bought sunglasses and underwear. But I ran out of time and boots can't be rushed, so today I went back and tried on a few pairs.

The MEC house brand is probably not the best quality boot (far from it!) but the price was low and they were soooo comfy I couldn't resist. They also have a rubber cap over the toes, which is something I look for because I'm a clumsy hiker and I constantly bash my toes into rocks and such. That wears out the toes of my boots really quickly if they don't have that extra protective layer on the front.

So they may not last long - probably only one season - but as long as they are comfortable on the trail I think they were a good buy.

Tomorrow is my book launch for Sex in a Tent. I had an interview for CBC's Words at Large podcast today, and I'll be sure to post a link once they have it up on their website. It probably won't be on until December though.

And a quick note for those in the UK - Sex in a Tent is now available for purchase on Amazon.uk again.

A New Chapter

Greetings from sunny Toronto! If you're in Canada, look for me tomorrow on The Weather Network between 3 and 4 pm ET.

I'm also excited to announce that the Chapters/Indigo website in Canada is now selling Sex in a Tent. The date for availability is October 31. I'm not yet sure how many of their physical stores will be stocking the book, but I'd like to welcome them aboard and I'm glad that Canadians now have another option for buying the book.

Those who pre-ordered it from Amazon.ca should be receiving their books at the end of this week! (Just in time to have me sign them at my launch party next Tuesday.)

On a less spectacular note, I am no longer scheduled to appear at Marmot Mountain Works in Berkeley on November 13. Instead I'll be using my time in California to hopefully do several press interviews.

Toronto Book Launch

For those of you in the Toronto area, I'll be heading your way soon for my hometown launch of Sex in a Tent. Here are the details:

Tuesday, November 6
6pm - 8pm
C'est What (67 Front Street East at Church Street)

I'll be there with copies of the book for sale, and happy to chat with everyone about camping, sex, visiting Toronto and all kinds of other stuff. And I'll sign your copy of the book if you're into that sort of thing!

I hope to see lots of you there!

And for everyone else, my apologies if the posts slow down a bit for the next few weeks while I'm on the road.