January 2025 Newsletter
Sawasdee kha from Thailand!
I've just returned from a whirlwind trip to the United States that was extended due to a nasty bout of influenza A. I'm still not feeling very well, so my apologies for the delay in my newsletter. This is a short one. January has been a deeply painful month in my personal life, I wasn't able to get much work done. I earned a whopping $940 which doesn't even begin to cover my medical bills.
Thank you for subscribing to my monthly newsletter highlighting my recently published articles, upcoming calls for sources, and a peek into my travels. If you'd like to support my work, tips via Venmo and PayPal are appreciated. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the paid version of this newsletter for $9.99 a month. If you'd like, buy me a tea here as a token of appreciation.
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.
For writers, my consultations include workshopping pitches and for writers to pick my brain about the industry. Writers who book consultations are added to my exclusive Facebook group, where I share editors' calls for pitches and provide access to an editorial database of over 3,000 editor contacts. Learn more here: LolaAnnMendez.com/Consultation
I'm also available for paid social media campaigns. I have a community of 21,000 followers across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook who are interested in travel, sustainability, veganism, women's health, cannabis, and other industries.
MONTHLY STATS
In January, I wrote two articles (about 1,400 words). One was a commissioned pitch and the other was an assignment. I sent 29 pitches — none were commissioned, seven were rejected, two are being considered, and 20 are pending a response.
NEW ARTICLES
My portfolio can be viewed at LolaAnnMendez.com. In January, I had six articles published, including my debut in Eater. I have upcoming pieces in new-to-me publications, including Scary Mommy.
These are some of my pieces that were published this month. Each image is clickable to read the story.
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.
Looking to speak with disability activists about the importance of the Disability Pride Flag
Medical wellness retreats in Southeast Asia and East Asia
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOLA?
I spent most of January in Thailand recovering and then ended the month in NYC for IMM, which was fantastic as always, then a few days in LA with family. I don't know exactly where February will take me other than that my lease ends Feb 12th and I've got to get out of town as the AQI was over 160 today. I have an exciting press trip lined up for the end of the month and am waiting for flights to be booked. Then, hopefully, I will be off to India for a three-week Ayurvedic treatment to heal.
I'm very open to press trips in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific in the coming months. I'm especially keen to visit and write about New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Madagascar, Namibia, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Oman, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, Mongolia, and more!
Follow my adventures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.