Hi everyone,
Greetings from somewhere in the sky. I flew back to NYC last week to catch up on some work, go to loads of appointments I’d pushed back over the past month, and to get ready for my trip to Slovenia.
After my little brother’s death, I’m grateful to have spent the past month with family. I considered cancelling this trip but I’ve been looking forward to it for months and thought it would be good for me. I’ve never been to Slovenia and I’m heading on a 12-day hiking trip through the mountains, plus a few extra days for walking and biking around the capital, Ljubljana (which I’m looking forward to learning how to pronounce correctly). I’ll also be testing out some products for CNN and Forbes during the trip. Expect my OOO to be on.
I promised to resume sending out content for paid subscribers and CNN sent a big announcement to writers last week (and a new assignment), so that seems like a good place to start. I’m still not ready to resume work full blast, and I’m already behind with half a dozen assignments I’ve been putting off, unable to concentrate. However, I appreciate my paid subscribers very much and I’m so grateful that so many of you signed up and donated during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, so I want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Cassandra
P.S. The pic above is my niece during a recent family roadtrip to one of our favorite cities, Indianapolis. Let’s all stop and take time to smell the flowers.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
First, here are a handful of assignments that have published in the past few weeks (or that I just realized published!)
Travel + Leisure: 14 Summer Essentials for Sri Lanka
Hilton Hotels: Take a Roadtrip From Santa Fe to Taos
Hilton Hotels: Beverly Hills Getaway: A Lavish Long Weekend for You and Your Pet
CNN Travel: Kids Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle Review
Tom’s Guide: Ninja Professional Plus Blender With Auto IQ Review
Tom’s Guide: Blendtec Total Blender Classic Review
World Nomads: Is Baja California Safe for Travelers in 2024? Tips for Travelers
World Nomads: Is the Yucatan Peninsula Safe for Traveler in 2024?
CNN Outdoors: Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Review: Smart, Fun, and Borderline Addictive
Sierra Club: How Local Parks and Nature Centers are Putting Accessibility Front and Center
AARP: Compression Socks Can Be a Lifesaver For Those Who Spend A Lot Of Time Sitting
CNN Travel: Under $25 Scores: Get Your Beauty Sleep With This Matador Blackout Sleep Mask
CNN Outdoors: Some of the Best Hiking Shoes Out There Just Got Better: The Altra Lone Peak 8
CNN Travel: This HydroFlask Bottle is Insulated, Ultralight and Perfect for Travel
Forbes Gear: Sleep Like a Baby in the Backcountry with the Best Camping Pillows
CNN’s Big Announcement
Last fall, I began contributing to CNN Underscored, which is their review section. I started off writing outdoor gear reviews and soon began contributing reviews about travel products and sustainable home goods. I landed four commissions with them in March and five in April. Then, during the first week of May, I received troubling emails from two of my editors there, who shared that CNN Underscored is dramatically cutting back on commissions across the board, and they’re also cutting freelancer rates quite significantly.
I thought CNN was about to be my big new semi “anchor” client, but this email dashed those hopes. However, one editor shared exactly the stories he is still commissioning (and I have a couple of soon-to-be pitches that I’d love your help developing), and another editor sent me a new assignment on Thursday. He rush shipped the product so I received it this weekend to take on my trip to Slovenia.
Here’s what I learned, including a breakdown of the five CNN article formats, which ones they’re still commissioning, which ones I’m most interested in writing, and how you can best target a pitch for CNN.
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