April 2025 Newsletter
Hola desde Uruguay!
After almost exactly four years living abroad, I’ve moved back home to Uruguay (for now). I’m adjusting back to living life in Spanish and have managed to get through doctor appointments, bank meetings, setting up WiFi, and other things that have given me a major headache. I took a short vacation last week to my 95th country! More on my travels below.
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WORK WITH ME
I offer consulting services to PR professionals, brands, and writers. I bring unique skills to the media industry, having worked in New York City as a publicist for seven years and as a freelance journalist for eight years. I deeply understand the inner workings of relationships between PR/brands and writers/publications.
Consultations for brands and publicists include insights on best practices for pitching journalists, how to foster relationships with journalists, media training, and more. I'm also available for hire to pen marketing materials such as press releases, media alerts, website copywriting, blog and social media content, and more.
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MONTHLY STATS
In April, I wrote five articles (about 7,700 words). One was an assignment, and six were commissions from pitches. I sent 111 pitches—two were commissioned, three are being considered, 40 were rejected, placed elsewhere, or I moved on due to timeliness, and 69 are pending a response.
NEW ARTICLES
My portfolio can be viewed at LolaAnnMendez.com. In April, I had three articles published, including my debut in Scary Mommy (it’s NSFW!). I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications, including Ultimate Encounters.
CALLS FOR PITCHES & PR SOURCES
I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers get the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals, when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories I'm currently working on.
Pitches from resorts in Asia and the Pacific that have coral restoration programs
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOLA?
I started the month in India, where I did a two-week Ayurvedic treatment at a clinic. Then, I headed back to Africa. I visited Egypt with Uniworld and went on my very first River Cruise, along the Nile, no less. The vistas were incredible, and it was special to get to see ancient sites for a second time.
After Egypt, I relocated (temporarily) back to Uruguay. I arrived and almost immediately left. It’s only fall, and it’s so cold here. But I got a flight for $100 + miles and headed off to my 95th country, El Salvador. It was a wonderful experience and solidified my stance that travel boycotts hurt locals more than help the cause.
I’ve spent the last week of the month dealing with Uruguay's bureaucracy. I’m writing this a day late and from a cafe, as it will take another six days or so before the internet provider can come to my house to set up WiFi.
I’ll be based in South America through August and am super keen to go on press trips to the Atacama Desert, Bolivia, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Guyana, Suriname, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Caribbean while I’m in LATAM.
Follow my adventures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.