They say not to judge a book by its cover… but really, everyone does. So it’s critical to have something that’s impactful, distinctive, and sends the right message about what’s inside.

My original concept was to include a picture of myself, facing back (I’m not known as the most photogenic guy in the world) with my backpack plainly visible and on it, a rainbow flag where most people would put their national flag (yes, during the actual trip I did the oh-so-predictable and had a Canuck flag… but oh, the marvels of Photoshop). This looked fine, but the feeling was that this stamped the book with a youth/budget travel moniker — when in fact the story is about so much more than just that.

The original designer, a friend of mine, wasn’t available for revisions, and another friend who took a stab at it was insistent on leaving in the backpacker image and wouldn’t hear otherwise; finally, a super team right here in San Francisco managed to get it done quickly and affordably… and I daresay were the first to nail the book title and concept with simple, visual iconography.

So thanks again to Lisa and Nicole at MindHive Design — you’re the greatest!

So I’ve been asked by a number of people — I mean… I can’t have gone seven months around the world and written NOTHING, right?

Here’s a guest post I did not too long ago on Solo Traveler, a blog whose title is pretty self-explanatory. In my posting I discussed flashpacking — what it is, how to do it, why it’s so often misunderstood. I’ve reprinted the full text of the post below or you can visit it here.

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If there’s one thing backpackers love to hate, it’s “flashpacking,” loosely defined as backpacking with a few frills. “It’s not a real experience,” “you won’t meet people,” “You won’t see the true [fill in the destination of your choice].” All untrue: It’s eminently possible to travel more comfortably than the backpacker norm and still garner incredible adventures. Here’s how:

1. Hang with friends (and family)

This applies to everyone, not just flashpackers: if you have contacts or kin anywhere you’re going, make a point to look them up. In much of the world hospitality is highly prized, and friends and relatives may be eager to put you up. Assuming these folks have the space and the inclination, you can be assured of a decent place to sleep and possibly a great tour guide in an unfamiliar locale.

2. Stay local

What if you don’t have cousins in Cape Town or buddies in Beijing? Staying at a Westin or Marriott isn’t the best-value alternative: international chains charge a hefty premium for predictability. But comfort can be had for a lot less at smaller midrange accommodations geared at local travelers. In expensive cities like Rome or Tokyo, sweet private rooms can be had for under $100 a night; in Bangkok, Bali, or smaller Indian centers $30 to $50 is the norm. Plus many hostels in Europe, Australia, and especially New Zealand offer private rooms for about $50 a night.

3. Scour the web

The days of leafing through guidebooks or traipsing from guesthouse to hotel are mostly behind us; guidebook recommendations can date quickly, but online resources offer current reviews from fellow travelers. The best-known of these are TripAdvisor (hotels and guesthouses), and Hostelworld (hostels and other budget digs).

4. Gear up – but not too much

Portable electronics have never been cheaper: in addition to digital cameras are iPods (perfect for that just-right playlist atop Macchu Pichu), unlocked cellphones, and especially netbook computers. Internet cafés can be handy – and they are everywhere – but there’s nothing like having a basic machine of your own for privacy and convenience.

5. Socialize

Private accommodations mean you’ll have to work a little harder to meet people – but not too much harder. If you’re staying in a hostel room you can still take advantage of group activities – beer-tasting nights in Belgium or a downstairs bar or dining room. If you identify with any subgroup – gay, Jewish, Rastafarian, role-playing gamer, whatever – by all means make the effort to connect with that crowd.

6. Mix it up

Vary your accommodations choices; the best part about having a little extra cash is flexibility: try a hostel room in one place, a guesthouse in another, a bed & breakfast somewhere else, even a fancier hotel if you snag a deal (hint: off season is best).

7. Flex your points

If you’re flashpacking you’ve probably traveled some already. This is a great time to use those frequent flyer miles: alliances such as Star Alliance and OneWorld offer great value-for-miles awards on long-haul, multi-destination trips; for the equivalent of a simple round-trip to Europe you can fly a half-dozen or more (non round-trip) segments. The rules can be a bit involved and there’s some advance planning required – but most of these awards allow date changes with no extra charge. Some award categories even offer business class for not a whole lot extra. Comfort on a budget – now that’s what flashpacking’s really about.

This is the place to learn about updates and info for Wander the Rainbow, a chronicle of a single gay man traveling around the world. In addition to information about the book and its release, we’ll be highlighting information useful to world travelers, gay travelers, readers of travel literature, or those interested in random bits about independent publishing in the Internet age.

Wander on!