Congratulations to BATW member Jill Robinson, who recently earned the silver Lowell Thomas award for Travel Journalist of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.

Also winning an award – Secret Cape Cod & The Islands: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure (Reedy Press) by Linda Humphrey and BATW member Maria Lenhart. Their collaboration won the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award (silver) from the SATW Foundation in the best guidebook category.

Janet Rae-Dupree’s image “Action at Mavericks” has been selected as the February page for the Coastside News 2025 calendar, an honor that comes with a $100 gift certificate to local restaurant Cameron’s Pub, Restaurant and Inn.

The Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has honored Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Company as its 2024 Business of the Year. The 5th generation ferry company is owned and operated by BATW corporate member Maggie McDonogh.

Former long-time BATW member Sandy Sims published Stories from Blaney Grove, a collection of twenty-one short stories that take place in the small, fictional town of Blaney Grove. Members Jim Shubin and Laurie McAndish King helped Sandy produce her book. Laurie says, “I’d love these stories even if I didn’t know Sandy had written them. Her eye for detail and ear for nuance make the characters come alive.”

Are you looking for a new publishing format for your travel stories and photos? Laurie McAndish King learned to make comic books recently, and was surprised at how much fun it is. Here’s a link to her comic called “About My Nose.” It isn’t travel writing—yet—but Laurie will start creating travel comics next year.

BATW member Ginny Prior collaborated with member and San Joaquin Magazine editor Nora Heston Tarte, in November, to publish a feature on the Stockton Marina. Read it here.