April Newsletter

Hola desde Puerto Vallarta! I’ve just returned from the most California week ever—think 420 cannabis dinners, mud baths, wine tasting, wildflower blooms, spa days, beach days, and lots of amazing vegan food. More on my travels in the last section of the newsletter!

Thank you for subscribing to my monthly newsletter that highlights my recently published articles, upcoming calls for sources, and a peek into my travels. If you want to support my work, tips are appreciated via Venmo,  CashApp, and PayPal. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the paid version of this newsletter for $9.99 a month. You can also buy me a tea here as a token of appreciation.

If you’d like to work with me, I offer consultations where I workshop pitches and allow writers to pick my brain about the industry: LolaAnnMendez.com/Consultation

In April, I wrote six articles. Five were pitches editors commissioned and one was an assignment. I sent 87 pitches this month—five were commissioned, one is being considered, 27 were rejected, and 54 are pending a response.

I was honored to be on the Travel Media Lab podcast this month! We discussed some of my favorite stories I’ve written, my career as a journalist, and my best advice for finding success as a freelance writer. Take a listen, or read the conversation here.

My portfolio can be viewed at any time at LolaAnnMendez.com. In April, I had four articles published. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications including National Geographic, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, Vogue, Roadtrippers, Jet Setter, and Vegan Society.

I always post my calls for sources on Twitter.com/LolaAnnaMendez. Newsletter subscribers are privy to the first look at my current work. PR folks (and individuals when relevant) are welcome to send pitches for the stories on which I’m currently working.

• Looking to speak with historians and culturists about the history and health benefits of yerba mate. I'm also looking to speak to someone of Charrúa or Guaraní descent who drinks mate. 

• I’m writing about the role of toxic masculinity in lesbian relationships and looking to speak with mental health professionals, relationship experts, and WLW women who’ve experienced traits of toxic masculinity while dating women.

I spent most of April in Mexico with a week in California for a press trip at a wellness retreat to celebrate 4/20 followed by a wonderful weekend in LA with my cousin Ivy. I was scheduled to be on a press trip to my 82nd country but it fell through as I couldn’t meet the PR demands such as airline coverage despite not having an assigned seat on a long-haul flight. I’m trying to be better about having boundaries with travel publicists and respecting my time, energy, and work.

I’m planning to spend the entire month of May in Mexico. I need a break from press trips as I’ve been on many press trips that have gone wrong since last August due to terrible guides or publicists with unrealistic expectations (with plenty of amazing press trips in between). Follow my adventures on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.