Speaking of Witch

Two days ago, I returned from a whirlwind trip to the States for TravMedia’s IMM conference in New York City, followed by a long weekend in Salem, Massachusetts for some 100 Haunts book research. It was a fantastic week-plus on both the professional and personal fronts. At IMM, I connected with all sorts of travel pros, drummed up lots of great story ideas, and spent time with some of my favorite writer friends. I left hoarse, exhausted, and rejuvenated about this zany industry I’m somehow still a part of.

Then it was onto Salem, which had been on my bucket list for a long time. My dear friend John (Papi, as he’s lovingly known in our friend group) met me there, and we had a blast exploring the city’s most haunted and witchiest hotspots. (That said, he’s from Minneapolis. Seeing the deadly violence happening in his city while being in the very same place where 334 years ago 20 people were executed — and dozens more jailed, some of whom died in custody — after absurd accusations of crimes they never committed was a deeply disturbing reminder of how history is, yet again, repeating itself.)

I packed so much in, it felt like I was gone for a month, not nine days. Here, some highlights of my trip:

• Taking a snowy walk on a gloriously sunny day in Central Park

• Going for a couple of chilly but invigorating riverfront runs along the West Side Highway in NYC

• Watching my good friend Larry Bleiberg win IMM’s Lifetime Achievement Award (Congrats again, Larry!)

• Randomly walking past the Ghostbusters building in Tribeca on my way to an incredible media dinner at fancy-pants restaurant Beefbar (a highlight in itself, actually — thanks a million for the invite, Crystal Cruises, Abercrombie & Kent, and LDPR!)

• Meeting an Atlanta-area publicist who said she was an avid reader of my dating column in alt-weekly The Sunday Paper in the mid-2000s (this truly made my day!)

• Taking the Acela train from NYC to Boston for the first time (I was quite impressed, and even more so when I received a $50 voucher for the 40-minute delay — without even asking. Hey, airlines: Why not try this out?!?)

• Learning how to bind my very own book at The Witchery in Salem, which also offers classes on making broomsticks and spell jars

• A boo-tifully decorated bottle of welcome champers at The Coach House B&B

• Stumbling upon a beautifully goth speakeasy bar called Hallowed Ground in Salem

• Admiring the witchy, spooky decor in so many Salem shops

• Surviving #Snowpocalpyse26 without frostbite or too much travel disruption

• Buying the best Easter candy ever, Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, to bring back with me

As always, I’m super grateful to my husband for holding down the fort at home during trips like this. I know it’s not easy managing work and childcare solo — especially since our kid has the energy of the Tasmanian devil.

Now, onto some looming deadlines — and source requests for them!

For all pitches: please send via a SEPARATE email with a few sentences about your background/credentials: blanebachelor@gmail.com. Please do NOT respond to this newsletter, as your reply will get lost in the shuffle. Thanks as always!

REQUEST 1: For a major outlet (I’ll share via email with sources who are a good fit), I’m looking to speak to the following:

• US citizens who have moved (or are in the process of moving) to a less-popular European country (i.e., NOT Spain, Italy, France, or Portugal) with the goal of obtaining a second passport/dual citizenship

• Relocation experts/tax advisors who can speak to the rise of people pursuing this path (if you do not have demonstrable expertise in these lesser-known/visited countries, this isn’t the fit for you!)

• DEADLINE FOR PITCHES: Tuesday, Feb. 3; Subject Line: Alternate EU Countries

REQUEST 2: For a NY-based newspaper (I’ll share via email with sources who are a good fit), I’m looking to speak to restaurant owners/hotel owners/outdoor outfitters who have a new opening (i.e., within the last year) along 30A in the Florida Panhandle.

• Please do not pitch any longstanding businesses or anything non-30A related

• DEADLINE FOR PITCHES: Tuesday, Feb. 3; Subject Line: 30A Pitch

REQUEST 3: This is for a pitch to a well-known online outlet that an editor has pretty much green-lit, but I would love to add some more insight to. Looking for:

• Any travelers with strong opinions on keeping your window shade up (or down) during a day flight

• Any science/data/statistics/surveys around this debate (a long shot, I know, but have to ask!)

• DEADLINE FOR PITCHES: Tuesday, Feb. 3; Subject Line: Window Shades Opinion

Since I see actual blue sky peeking through the clouds for the first time in two days here in Amsterdam and a song called Sunlight just popped up on my playlist, I’m going to take the hint and head outside for a bit.

Here’s to finding the light, even (especially?) in dark days.

Blane