Mike Gerrard, author of Snakes Alive: and Other Travel Writing (Jan 24-31)

Please welcome Mike Gerrard, author of Snakes Alive: and Other Travel Writing. Mike will be chatting on LibraryThing until January 31st.

Yep, I'm here - in Arizona, to be precise - and happy to answer questions or just chat about travel writing, and maybe self-publishing too.

Hi and welcome, Mike.

I am retired now, and trying to indulge my inner gypsy. My favorite mode of travel is by train, as I hate to fly and don't like to drive long distances alone. Amtrak is a little limiting, as they like to go east-west more than north-south, but trains are really comfortable and I've met a lot of cool people.

I've had a few nice experiences and am looking for more. Do you have any favorite excursions?

I have been enjoying your Paris works, but would like your opinion on the best places to visit in the Oberkampf-Menilmontant areas. Sometimes Paris guidebooks stress the excellent sites in the inner arrondissments to the expense of the outer ones. Anyway, I do enjoy your guide books!

Hi MerryMary

I like train travel too, and have done it a lot in the UK, and in France, but have never been on a train in the USA!

Favorite excursions? Well, when you travel a lot it's great to be home and one of my favorite excursions is to the local library. I also publish a website about the Pacific Coast Highway (www.Pacific-Coast-Highway-Travel.com) so obviously my wife and i love any chance to go there.

Why thanks, Burgess, that's nice to know. It's far too long since we've been to Paris. The last time was a few years ago when my wife and I got engaged (though that wasn't planned when we went!)

I've stayed a few times in the Oberkampf area and really like it, though I'm not sure there is much 'to do', in the guidebook sense, from what I recall. I just like hanging out there, some good cafes and restaurants, and easy to get around to the rest of Paris on the Metro from there.

Just a note to let you know I'm going to be away on day visits Thursday and Friday, but hope to check back during the evenings and early mornings, and be back home over the weekend.