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Tears of Amy
June 23rd, 2008

Tears of Amy

Let’s cheer and applause to Amy, our Sydney writer! She have collected some booklets and newspaper as well as magazine cuttings about other destinations and send us by air mail. What a warm sharing from Amy (Although the magazines have been voilently torn but guess what? It is really a useful information)! We really appreciate it! Hope you guys may share generously to this big family as Amy did! [^_^]

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Posted by agnes Filed in Writer's guides
4 Comments
Getting stuck in writing?
June 20th, 2008

guidebook-reseach.jpg

Oh my god! I am stuck again!

What is the best word to slot in this sentence? What the best phrase to describe the twin towers? hmm… The Twin Sweet Corns in the city? arrr… what is the best route to tour Kuala Lumpur? errr… I am stuck! Help!!!!!!

Does this happen to you?

Here are my little sharing on how to get out of this clueless state:

1. Read through the framework of a4trip writers framework . From here, you will have a rough idea on the scope of the content. I personally think that Week4 : Destination by location and Week 8: Suggested Itineraries are a bit challenging, you need to understand the destination and suggest the best advice to your reader.

2. After getting the brief idea of the framework, it is time to do research. The research can either from internet, books or personal experience. Of course, we prefer you can share more on your personal experiences. Try to imagine you are a tour guide now and guiding them in your real life.

3. Send your research to support@a4trip.com. We have a passionate support team to help you more on researching. Need help? Need clarification? Need vocab or grammar help? Even need to buy some reference books? No problem, just drop a mail to support@a4trip.com.

4. When you think you are all set in doing research and is ready to kick off, send an email to us. We are glad to see your progress weekly.

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Posted by chinseng Filed in Framework, Travel guide, Writer's guides
3 Comments
Writer’s Framework
April 22nd, 2008
Time Milestone No of Page
Week 1 Introduction, History and background, Current Affairs 1 - 2
Week 2 Preparation, Travel Scheduling, Visa, Free, etc 1 - 2
Week 3 Going to destination, Getting around 2
Week 4 Destination by location 1
Week 5 Accommodation 2
Week 6 Things to do 5 - 7
Week 7 Shopping, Dining, Nightlife 4 -5
Week 8 Suggested Itineraries 2
Week 9 Charity, Culture Shock 1
Week 10 Local Language Guide 1
Week 11 Proof reading. Beta Release on Sale. -
Week 12 Edit guide book based on feedbacks from proof reading. -
Week 13 DTP Process - Producing guidebook in PDF format. -
Week 14 Guide Book ver 1.0 Release On Sale! -
Week 15 Revisionary Updates every month -
 
Guide book will be revised by writer every month to include new information and editorial mistakes. The above timeframe is provided only as a guideline. Actual timeframe is to be decided by writers based on their schedule and other personal commitments.Once timeframe has been mutually agreed, a4trip managers will monitor writer’s performance and milestones delivery deadlines.

Each milestones is defined weekly as shown on the above timeframe, where there will be 15 milestones altogether.

Each milestones completed must be sent to a4trip managers upon completion for quality inspection. Necessary remedial actions will be implemented to assist writers who are falling behind their schedules.

Writers are given priority to blog and market their guidebook on a4guide.com. However, if the writers are not keen to update the blog, the position will be taken up by interested 3rd parties.

Proofreader has 1 week to complete the proof reading for the guide book.

For mapping and illustration production timeline, please refer to the Mapper’s Framework.

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Posted by Eisen Lee Filed in Framework, Writer's guides
15 Comments
Writers’ FAQ
March 10th, 2008

Should all the streets, restaurants and hotels in english or translated language or local language?

English is the first priority preference. If they aren’t any English names, likes in China, Pin Yin or local language can be used.

Should I include some place of interest 100km away from city in the city guidebook or separate it to Add-On Guidebook?

As long as you can plan your one day trip to the place of interest, you can include it to your city guidebook. Add-On guidebook is for place where you have at least 5 to 10 listing of hotels and restaurants.

Do I have any limitations on the length of the whole guide?

It would be around 20 pages as long as you can cover all the destinations for the city.

Is there any font and size to be followed?

You can use any font. The size should be either 10 or 12. Our designers would help you to resize and reformat the font when doing compilation.

Do I need to follow strictly on the A4trip content structure defined?

You are highly advisable to follow the content structure because it helps our designer in reformating the content to PDF. If you have any suggestions to the content structure, please keep Chin Seng informed. He will update the master content structure for all.

I have some great photo for the city and would like to include inside the guidebook. What should I do?

First, please make sure you have the ownership of the photo to avoid copyright issue. Then, please communicate with your assigned mapper and to the Desktop Publisher (DTP-peiwen) to add inside the guidebook, for example the city tour map.

How long should the history and overview of a city should be?

Not too lengthy. Half to one page should be enough. Introduction is the most important part to attract attention of the customer. Please put extra effort in this section. Cheers :) Happy Writing.

Which unit of measurement I should include for weather, rainfall and others?

It is advisable to put both units of measurement into guidebook, e.g. degree/fahrenheit, mm/inches, etc.

Which currency I should use in the guidebook? Local currency or USD?

It is recommended to follow the currency accepted by the local at certain place. Generally, use USD for those high class hotels and restaurants. Use local currency for small transaction at those stalls, internet cafe services etc. If you are not sure, putting both currencies is the safest.

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Posted by pin Filed in Writer's guides
1 Comment

Recent Comment
Pin: Kuala Terengganu is Weikiat's hometown. It would b...
Amy: Sorry I haven't been around - hey that looked like...
Donelle: Interesting to know.
Roxanne: Well written article.
Agnes: Nice share, CS! Can see that you guys really enjoy...
Jian: Ah~ can feel the fun from reading and seeing all ...
Ricky Soo: Great venture. Great people. Great job!
ashmann: Please keep me updated as I missed the fun this ti...
Daniel: Chin Seng, very good observation and hardworking! ...
Henny: >,< Diarrhea.... not used to the Khmer food?...
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