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What does a travel writer do?

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What is a Travel Writer?

A travel writer is a writer who specializes in documenting their travel experiences, providing insights into the places they visit, and sharing recommendations for other travelers. Their job is to create compelling narratives and stories about their travels, including descriptions of the people, culture, and geography of the places they visit. Travel writers often work for newspapers, magazines, and travel websites, and they may also write books or blogs about their experiences. They may travel to destinations across the world, from major cities to remote locations, and may have expertise in specific areas or types of travel, such as adventure travel or luxury travel.

To be a successful travel writer, one needs to have excellent writing skills, the ability to capture the essence of a place, and a passion for travel. They must be able to convey their experiences and observations in a way that engages and inspires readers, and they should have a keen eye for detail, as well as the ability to research and fact-check information. Travel writers may also need to have photography or videography skills to capture the visual aspects of their travels.

What does a Travel Writer do?

Travel writers play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world and its diverse cultures. Through their writings, they offer a window into the unique experiences and perspectives of different people and places, helping us to broaden our horizons and expand our knowledge. They not only provide practical information about destinations but also capture the essence of a place, its people, history, and culture, making us feel as if we have been there ourselves.

Duties and Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of travel writers can vary depending on the specific role and employer. However, some common duties and responsibilities of travel writers include:

• Researching and exploring destinations: Travel writers need to conduct extensive research before visiting a destination. They need to know the history, culture, and attractions of the place they're writing about, as well as practical information like transportation options, accommodation, and safety considerations. Once they arrive, travel writers may visit museums, galleries, historical sites, and other tourist attractions. They may also attend local events, try local foods, and interact with locals to get a better sense of the destination.
• Writing engaging and informative content: Travel writers need to write engaging and informative content that captures the attention of their audience. They need to be able to convey the sights, sounds, and feelings of a destination, and make readers feel like they're actually there. Travel writers need to be skilled in storytelling, using vivid descriptions, and painting a picture with words.
• Developing story ideas: Travel writers need to come up with fresh and interesting story ideas that will appeal to their audience. They may draw inspiration from their own experiences, or from trends in the travel industry. They need to be able to identify unique angles and highlight lesser-known attractions or hidden gems.
• Taking photographs and videos: Travel writers may be required to take photographs and videos to accompany their written content. They need to have a good eye for composition, lighting, and framing. They may also need to edit their photos and videos using software like Adobe Photoshop or Final Cut Pro.
• Editing and proofreading: Travel writers need to be skilled in editing and proofreading their own work. They need to check for accuracy, clarity, and consistency, as well as correct any spelling or grammatical errors.
• Meeting deadlines: Travel writers need to be able to work to tight deadlines, as they may be working on multiple projects at once. They need to be organized and able to manage their time effectively to ensure they deliver high-quality content on time.
• Networking and building relationships: Travel writers need to network and build relationships with other writers, editors, and industry professionals. This can help them stay up to date with trends and opportunities, as well as get their work published in reputable publications.
• Adhering to ethical standards: Travel writers need to adhere to ethical standards when writing about destinations. This includes being honest and truthful in their writing, respecting local customs and traditions, and avoiding any conflicts of interest or biased reporting.

Types of Travel Writers There are various types of travel writers, each with their own specific focus and area of expertise. Here are some common types of travel writers:

• Destination-Focused Writers: These writers specialize in writing about specific destinations, such as countries, cities, or regions. They may provide practical information like transportation options and accommodation, as well as highlight attractions, events, and local culture.
• Adventure and Outdoor Writers: These writers focus on outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing. They may write about their own experiences or provide advice and tips for readers interested in outdoor adventure.
• Food and Drink Travel Writers: These writers specialize in writing about food and drink in various parts of the world, highlighting local cuisine and beverages. They may recommend restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as provide recipes and cooking tips.
• Luxury Travel Writers: These writers focus on high-end travel experiences like five-star hotels, luxury cruises, and private tours. They may provide recommendations for luxury travel destinations and experiences, as well as tips for travelers looking to splurge on their next vacation.
• Budget Travel Writers: These writers focus on budget-friendly travel options, providing advice on how to travel on a budget and still have an enjoyable experience. They may recommend budget-friendly destinations and accommodations, as well as provide tips on how to save money on transportation, food, and attractions.
• Family Travel Writers: These writers focus on family-friendly travel experiences, providing advice and recommendations for families traveling with children. They may highlight family-friendly destinations, accommodations, and attractions, as well as provide tips on traveling with children.
• Cultural and Historical Writers: These writers focus on cultural and historical attractions, highlighting museums, historical sites, and cultural events. They may provide insights into local customs and traditions, as well as provide recommendations for cultural and historical destinations.

What is the workplace of a Travel Writer like?

The workplace of a travel writer can vary greatly depending on the specific writer's job requirements. Travel writers may work remotely, traveling to various destinations to conduct research and write about their experiences. This can involve working from coffee shops, airports, hotels, and other public spaces as they gather information and write their stories.

Many travel writers also work for media outlets, such as magazines, newspapers, or websites, and may have a more traditional office setting. They may work in a newsroom or at home, researching and writing stories that meet the requirements of their employer's editorial style.

Some travel writers are self-employed and work as freelancers. They may have a home office or co-working space, where they can work on multiple projects for different clients. Freelance travel writers need to be able to manage their time effectively, as they may have multiple deadlines to meet.

Regardless of their work setting, travel writers need to have access to a computer, reliable internet connection, and other tools necessary to conduct research and write their stories. They may also need equipment like cameras or video cameras to capture images and footage of their travel experiences.

Travel writers may also attend industry events and conferences, such as travel trade shows and tourism boards' events, to network with other professionals and learn about new travel trends and opportunities. These events can take place all over the world, and travel writers may need to travel to attend them.

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Travel Writers are also known as: Travel Journalist

Elissa Garay

Elissa Garay is a Freelance Travel Editor and Sustainable Tourism Writer

FREELANCE EDITOR & WRITER TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SPECIALIST

Hello! I'm Elissa Garay.

FREELANCE EDITOR & WRITER [TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE]

A modern-day explorer, perpetual seeker, and diligent travel scribe, I’m also a champion for sustainable tourism and believe that we can all travel with conscience, for the greater good. With over 20 years’ experience in the field, I’ve worked as an editor at leading travel publications like AFAR, Fodor’s, Travelzoo , and ShermansTravel , and have had hundreds of travel and lifestyle articles published in Condé Nast Traveler, Good Housekeeping, Parents, CNN, BBC, and more.

I’m a web-specialized travel and lifestyle editor and writer with 20-plus years’ experience. I’m available for remote and contract hire as a freelance editor, special projects manager, writer, guest speaker, and writing instructor.

I'm an editorial pinch hitter who's edited for leading travel publications like AFAR, Fodor's, Travelzoo, and more. Skilled at producing and editing web-friendly, SEO-primed content, with a network of freelance writers around the globe, I can help fill in editorial team gaps and bring special editorial projects to life.

An extensively trained journalist, I write compelling research-based and interview-enriched stories on sustainable tourism, New York tourism, family travel, and trending lifestyle and sustainability topics for outlets like Condé Nast Traveler, Good Housekeeping, Parents, CNN, BBC, and more.

Educator & Speaker

I'm a writing instructor who's helped students around the globe break into the exciting world of freelance writing. I've also been featured as a travel expert in media outlets like Good Morning America Now, ABC News Now, NPR, and the Los Angeles Times , as well as at esteemed organizations like Harvard Extension School.

PUBLISHED WORK

Recent Articles

5 Electric Camping Trailers for a Quieter, Greener Vacation

The Modern-day Ghost Towns Created by the Climate Crisis

Sailing the Aegean Sustainably—Just Like the Ancients Did

What’s the World’s Longest River? New Expedition Aims to Settle the Debate Once and for All

#VanLife Gets Electrified: Six Places to Rent Electric Camper Vans Around the Globe

These 5 New Electric Camper Vans Are About to Revolutionize #Vanlife

As featured in:.

TIM JOHNSON

Travel writer & editor.

TRAVEL TIPS

Searching to the ends of the earth for the next compelling story, my life has been consumed by travel. While researching and writing articles for some of the world’s largest publications, I’ve visited 145 countries on all seven continents, plus all 50 U.S. states, all ten provinces and three territories in Canada, and all of the states in Australia.

Globetrotting for a living has provided some amazing adventures. I’ve enjoyed literally dozens of safari trips in Africa and India. I’ve taken 35 cruises, from small wooden-ship voyages in the Aegean and private-yacht trips in the waters of Southeast Asia, to trans-oceanic crossings, across the Pacific, Atlantic, and beyond. I have explored the polar regions, three times to Antarctica, many trips to the High Arctic. And much more, amidst a schedule of hundreds of days of travel every year. All the while writing for CNN Travel, the Globe and Mail, Bloomberg Pursuits, The New Yorker, AFAR, and many others.

And it all began at an early age—travel, you could say, runs in my family. Growing up, raised by parents who loved to explore, my family would save every penny, spurning local luxuries like meals in restaurants and theme park visits, so we could afford our annual, massive, multi-week summer road trip.

We travelled cross-continent, driving as many as 16 hours a day in our brown, hatchback Suburu station wagon—standard shift, with no air conditioning—so we could pack in as many sights as possible—to the California coast and the Canadian Rockies, the Florida beaches and the geysers of Yellowstone National Park, tracing two-lane highways to the horizon before bedding down in roadside motels. (That Suburu was later replaced by a two-tone grey Pontiac Bonneville that we lovingly called “the boat,” because she sailed down those highways.)

LET ME DESIGN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

The best souvenir from a truly special vacation: an amazing story, and one that nobody else can tell. and i’ve spent my life telling memorable travel stories. let’s talk travel – learn more about my bespoke travel design services., tim johnson appears in.

ABOUT | ADVENTURE | LUXURY | TRAVEL TIPS | TRAVEL DESIGN | TRAVEL CONSULTING | CONTACT TIM

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Posted on Jun 21, 2017

12 Types of Travel Writing Every Writer Should Know

So, you want to be a travel writer?

There are plenty of reality doses out there already, so we’re going to focus on the positives, and what you can do to maximize your chances of travel writing professionally. One of the first steps: you should absolutely know your markets, and what types of travel writing are popular in them. In today’s competitive market, this knowledge can both help you structure your article  and target the right audience.

In this post, we break down modern travel writing into three distinct categories: freelance journalism , blogging, and book-writing. Then we identify the prevalent types of travel writing each category is known for, to give you an initial sort of compass in the industry.

Freelance Travel Journalism

The truth is this: the travel sections in major publications (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal) are slimmer now, so competition will be tall. But there are other outlets. Local newspapers are sometimes open to travel pitches from freelancers. Certain websites pay for travel articles, while magazines can be great for targeting niche audiences.

So what are the common types of freelance travel journalism?

Destination articles

Here, the game’s in the name: destination articles tell readers about a place to which they might want to travel one day. One of the most standard type of travel stories, these pieces act as the armchair reader’s bird-eye view of a place. Useful or interesting facts pepper the writing. History, points of interest, natural scenery, trendy spots: a destination article can touch upon them all within the framework of a broad narrative.

Where the average article gives readers a sense of the destination, the best of the best convinces readers that this is a destination they want, nay, need to visit. As such, though some destination articles are written in first person, the focus is rarely on the writer. Instead, the destination is the star of the show.

For examples of destination articles, check out:

• Besalú, the most interesting Spanish village you probably don’t know (LA Times)
• In Indonesia (Washington Post)
• 36 Hours In The Finger Lakes Region of New York (New York Times)

Special-interest articles

Special-interest articles are offshoots of destination articles. Instead of taking the reader on a tour of an entire country or city, these pieces cover one particular aspect of the destination. This kind of writing can cover anything from art in Colombia, ghost towns in the U.S., trekking in Patagonia, alpaca farms in Australia, motorbiking in Brazil, railroads in France, volunteering in Tanzania — you get the gist.

Since special-interest articles are narrower in topic, many writers tailor them for niche magazines or websites. Before you start pitching, we recommend flipping through the Writer’s Handbook , one of the most useful guides to the freelance publishing market, to see which publications fit your target audience.

For a taste of some special-interest articles, see:

• Exploring Portugal — From Pork To Port (epicurious.com)
• This Unsung Corner of Spain is Home to Fabulous Food (Washington Post)
• Karsts of China's Getu River region attract rock climbers, other travelers (CNN Travel)

Holiday and special events

Holiday and special events travel articles ask writers to write about a destination before the event takes place. The biggest global events are magnets for this type of travel writing, such as the World Cup, the Olympics, the World Expo, fashion weeks, and film festivals. Depending on the publication, regional events work just as well.

Want to see what special events pieces look like? Have a read through these:

• This summer’s solar eclipse is southern Illinois’ chance to shine (Chicago Tribune)
• How To Plan A Trip To The 2016 Rio Olympics (Travel & Leisure)

You’ll recognize a round-up article when you see one, as it’ll go, “40 best beaches in West Europe,” or, perhaps, “20 of the greatest walks in the world!” It’s a classic tool in any magazine or newspaper writer’s toolbox, taking a bunch of destinations and grouping them all under one common thread.

Ultimately, a clear motif makes this type of article a breeze to read, as they’re a play on the ubiquitous List Format. But, OK, before you jump at this excuse to sacrifice your belly at 99 food trucks in New York City, remember that your premise should be original, not to mention practical. What’s tough is coming up with X ways to do Y in the first place, as that demands you put in the travel and research to produce a thorough write-up.

Want even more examples of round-up articles? Here you go:

• 12 new art exhibits to see this summer (Smithsonian)
• 21 ways to see America for cheap (Huffington Post)
• 41 places to go in 2011 (New York Times)

Personal essays

Publishers are experiencing something of a personal essay fatigue , so the market for more might be scarce these days. However, quality trumps all, and a good personal travel essay is just plain good writing in disguise: something that possesses a strong voice while showing insight, growth, and backstory.

Just don’t make it a diary entry. In an interview with The Atlantic , travel writer Paul Theroux said: “The main shortcut is to leave out boring things. People write about getting sick, they write about tummy trouble. They write about waiting. They write three pages about how long it took them to get a visa. I’m not interested in the boring parts. Everyone has tummy trouble. Everyone waits in line. I don’t want to hear about it.”

Here’s a jumping-off point for personal travel essays:

• Taking the Great American Roadtrip (Smithsonian)

Have a burning opinion to share? Sometimes publications end up giving op-eds to staff, but there are always open calls for opinion pieces.

Travel op-eds are much rarer than political opinion pieces, but there’s a pattern to the ones that make the cut: good persuasive writing. If you can come at a topic from a unique angle (and argue your case clearly) then you may be able to publish your opinion.

If you’re in the mood for travel op-ed articles, see:

• The West Coast Is The Best Coast For Food In America (Food & Wine)
• Why Climate Change Is Actually Relevant To Travel (Conde Nast)

Travel Blogging

When typing “travel blog” into Google returns 295 million results, we can guess it’s a fairly competitive market.

Here’s the plus side: bloggers get to write what they want and go where they please. When it comes to blog posts, there are no editors, no gatekeepers. Only you and the “PUBLISH” button.

We won’t go revisit the types of travel writing we covered earlier (such as the roundup format). Instead, we’ll explore some of the other formats bloggers use to tell their travel stories. Since the rules of travel blogging are next to non-existent, our tally below is by no means definitive. And, again, our best advice is to note what your favorite bloggers do on their blogs.

Already running a successful travel blog? You might consider turning that blog into a book !

How-To articles are already fairly popular in magazines, but they’re positively omnipresent in the travel blogging world. Blogs provide a direct communication platform, allowing trust to build up quicker with the readers. As a result, for the search query, “How to travel Europe on a budget,” six out of the top ten results are posts from trusted independent blogs.

A How-To article is the most standard form of advice column a travel blogger can produce. It’s intrinsically useful, promising that it’ll teach something by article’s end. A blogger’s challenge is delivering fully on that promise.

How to read more How-To articles? We got you covered:

• How To Start A Travel Blog (Nomadic Matt)
• How To Travel Solo To A Party Destination (Adventurous Kate)
• How to Visit Penang’s Kek Lok Si Temple (Migrationology)

Itineraries

Itineraries reveal the schedule that the writer took at a given destination, city-by-city or sight-by-sight. They’re meant for the traveler who’s embarking on a similar trip and needs a template. Typically, you’ll find that an itinerary post is an easy place for you to slip in recommendations, anything from the accommodation you used or the restaurants you tried.

You can use itinerary posts to reinforce your blog’s brand. For instance, an itinerary posted on a blog focused around budget travel will probably maximize cost-saving chances.

For more itineraries, see:

• My Trip To Japan (A Complete Japan Itinerary)
• Backpacking Vietnam on a budget: 2-3 Weeks Itinerary + Tips

Longform posts

Longform travel blogging tells a travel story through extended narrative content, as it takes a week’s worth of adventure and shapes it into a story. Longform blog posts about travel often end up being creative nonfiction : a way to present nonfiction — factually accurate prose about real people and events — in a compelling, vivid, dramatic manner.

Photography can add another dimension to the form, as Emmanuel Nataf (our co-founder!) shows on his travel blog . And Reedsy's very own Arielle provides a glimpse into why she prefers longform travel writing on her blog, Steps, a Travel Journal :

My favourite kinds of stories are the ones that give you a real sense of place. That’s why I enjoy longform travel blogging: I get to describe the character of a place through the experiences I encountered there.

If you want to dip your toe into the sea of longform posts, you can also read:

• The Cow Head Taco Philosopher King of Oaxaca (Legal Nomads)
• The Best Worst Museum In The World

When it comes to writing a book, you can take all the challenges about travel writing from above and magnify it times 2,000. If you’re asking readers to commit to you for more than 100 pages, you’d best make sure that your book is worth their while.

As far as examples go, travel writing’s boomed in the mainstream book market recently. But there’s much more to it than Eat, Pray, Love and its descendants.

Travelogues

In travelogues, authors record their adventures in a way that illustrates or sheds insight upon the place itself. Travelogues possess a storied past, from Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s Turkish Embassy Letters in 1763 to Mark Twain’s 1867 The Innocents Abroad , which paved the way for the sort of comic travelogues that Bill Bryson’s perfected today.

Up for some travelogues? Check out:

• Notes From A Small Island , by Bill Bryson
• In Patagonia , by Bruce Chatwin
• Travels with Charley In Search of America , by John Steinbeck

Travel memoirs

Nowadays, travel memoirs are practically synonymous with Elizabeth Gilbert’s wildly popular Eat, Pray, Love and Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling Wild , which were both recently adapted into Hollywood blockbusters.

That said, be aware that you’ll need a pretty exceptional personal story for your memoir to compete in today’s market . If you’re still set on writing or self-publishing a travel memoir, it’s tricky to balance personal backstory and travel for 400 pages, so think about taking on a professional for a second pair of eyes.

Did you know? You can find Nicki Richesin , a top Bloomsbury editor who’s edited for Cheryl Strayed, on our marketplace.

In addition to Eat, Pray, Love and Wild , you can read:

• Under the Tuscan Sun , by Frances Mayes
• Coasting , by Jonathan Raban
• Wind, Sand, and Stars , by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

As Oscar Wilde said, “I never travel without my diary. One should always keep something sensational to read in the train.” But these days, people are replacing diaries with travel guides — the ubiquitous Lonely Planet becoming one of the more common sights on transit.

Travel writing in guidebooks is straightforward, informative, and fact-filled. In addition, there’s a certain amount of responsibility that comes with the job. Lonely Planet alone is read by millions of travelers worldwide.

General Tips and Guidelines

As we mentioned before, the trick to producing great travel writing is ultimately simply writing well . To that extent, you should make sure to follow all the guidelines of good writing — not least, spell-checking your article before submitting or publishing it anywhere. You don’t want an editor or reader to see it while it stilll reads lik edis.

Also, keep in mind the tone, style, and vibe of the publication and platform (and by extension, your audience). A story about a moon-rock could go into a kid's magazine or it could go into Scientific America .

Finally, some category-specific tips:

• If you’re freelance writing, always check submission guidelines. Publications may accept only pitches or they may welcome articles “on spec” (pre-written articles). Some sources only take travel articles that were written within 6 months of the trip.
• If you’re blogging, brand your website (same advice if you’re an author who’s building an author website ).
• If you’re writing a book, get a professional editor! An unedited book is an unwieldy thing, and professional eyes provide direction, continuity, and assonance. ( Layout designers can be important if you’re publishing a travel photography book, in the meanwhile.)

Travel writing isn't a cinch. In fact, it's a long and often hard grind. But by figuring out what type of travel writing you want to try your hand at, you're taking the crucial first step.

Have you tried travel writing before? Want to show us the cool travel blog that you're keeping? We're always in the mood for great travel writing + pretty pictures. Leave us a note in the comments and we'll be sure to check it out! 

7 responses

Amanda Turner says:

20/03/2018 – 16:20

Thank you, this was very helpful. Here's one of mine: http://vagabondingwithkids.com/every-mothers-guide-to-piranha-fishing-in-the-amazon/

Travalerie says:

24/05/2018 – 18:42

I landed on this page Googling for one thing and coming up with another. Haha! But what I found instead was helpful as I'm devouring as much as I can on travel writing. A few months ago, I started a new travel business, revamped my website including a new blog, and am in the process of writing, writing, writing. I took 2 trips this year so far and wrote what seemed like a mini-novella. Burning out in the process. I know I can do better. But I had no idea what I was writing could be re-worked to fit a certain category of travel writing -- which is what I found helpful in this post above. Thanks https://www.travalerie.com/blog

Surya Thakur says:

04/03/2019 – 12:39

Very good information. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later! KuLLuHuLLs

David Bishop says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Thanks for this good article. I'm in my third year on the road and recently started my senior solo adventure travel website. I think my site has some pretty good stuff, of course. Take a look and tell me what you think. www.davidhunterbishop.com

Iris C. Permuy says:

23/05/2019 – 18:03

Thank you very much for all of these useful pieces of advice. I will make sure to implement them all on my travel blog, which is a combination of travel and gastronomy and uses the memoir and itinerary types, apart from recipes. Come check it out if you feel like it! I am more than open, eager for some professional feedback :)

Serissa says:

26/10/2019 – 14:53

This post is the perfect diving board for aspiring travel writers. I plan to link to this page from my travel blog if that is alright! ?? The link on my website will appear as "[title of this post] by Reedsy Blog". I assume this is alright, but if not, please email me directly to let me know! Thanks so much!

↪️ Martin Cavannagh replied:

29/10/2019 – 10:11

We'd be absolutely delighted if you shared this article on your blog :)

Comments are currently closed.

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WORKSHOPS + SEMINARS

Excavating The Travel Essay

May 1, 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET // $345

Format: One lecture followed by 3-week self-paced online course and virtual writing community.

Write a literary travel essay in just three weeks! This course is for anyone who wants to write travel essays that are as vivid as they are insightful. We'll mine old travel journals, photos, correspondences, and conduct original research to write a rich and layered essay. Perhaps it's a story of transformation abroad, of a place that moved you or a stranger who changed your life, a journey that still haunts you, or simply of a distant meal you'll never forget. Or maybe it's a story of migration and identity in a foreign landscape. We’ll push the boundaries of the genre while remaining committed to the heart of the story.  

We begin by reading a broad range of travel essays to understand how different techniques impact the reader. When would an anecdote be more effective than a statistic? How should a writer portray a culture they know little about? We'll break away from the clichés, tropes, and stereotypes that plague travel writing in order to tell an authentic and dynamic story.

Next, we'll dive deep into structure and craft. Whether you're writing a chapter in a memoir, a magazine feature, a letter, or deep captions for a photo essay, we'll cover the pillars of a solid travel story—curiosity, sense of place, a moment in time, local characters, rich context, narrative arc, sensory details—as well as techniques to illustrate it skillfully.

The course is formatted with a one-day Zoom session to deep-dive into the craft of the travel essay, followed by three weeks of virtual class that includes:

Daily writing prompts that correspond with the course material

Video lessons to guide you through writing a full essay

Live craft chats to help hone your skills and support your journey

Online community forum for group support and feedback

Virtual public reading  to showcase your work

Each participant will write an original travel essay of up to 3,000 words and receive personalized feedback on their story, including a personalized list of recommendations for places to submit. 

*One full scholarship is available for a promising writer with a background historically misrepresented or underrepresented in the travel writing genre.

Photography by Danielle Villasana

Jenna Scatena is an international journalist, author, and editor based in Istanbul and San Francisco. Jenna spent the first five years of her career as a staff writer and editor at San Francisco magazine, where she covered culture, tech, and travel. In 2014, she pivoted to freelance writing, reporting from 19 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Her work focuses on the intersection of place and culture. She is an international correspondent for Conde Nast Traveler and her articles have appeared in The Atlantic, BBC, San Francisco Chronicle, AFAR, O the Oprah magazine, Travel + Leisure, Marie Claire, Vogue, Lonely Planet, Sunset, SELF, and others.

Jenna's essays are anthologized in The Best American Science & Nature Writing (notable pick), The Best Women's Travel Writing Vol. 9 and Vol. 11 (Travelers' Tales) and An Innocent Abroad (Lonely Planet). She has won two Solas Travel Writing Awards and the Lowell Thomas Award. Magazine projects she contributed to as an editor have won National Magazine and Webby Awards.

Jenna has taught journalism workshops at UCLA, Stanford, and UC Berkeley through The Center for American Progress, served on faculty at The Book Passage Travel Writers Conference, and been a guest speaker on radio and news shows and at conferences such as the Women's Travel Fest and the Global Wellness Summit.

Writer, Author, Editor and Publisher

Award-winning travel writer Tim Leffel is author of The World’s Cheapest Destinations , Travel Writing 2.0 , and the living abroad book A Better Life for Half the Price . All have been published in multiple editions.

He is also editor of the narrative web publication perceptive travel , named “best online travel magazine” by the north american travel journalists association and “best travel blog” by satw. he has contributed to more than 50 publications as a freelancer and runs 5 online travel magazines and blogs as an editor/publisher. he’s the chair of the advisory board of natja, served as north american conference director for tbex for six years, and is a media member of satw and the adventure travel trade association..

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Must-Have Tools and Apps for Travel Writers

Travel writing has traditionally been a low-tech affair; all one needed was an adventurous spirit and a notebook. But now, technological innovations have been dominating the profession. Whether you’re traveling, researching, writing, editing, or self-publishing, we’ve broken down some of the must-have tools and apps for travel writers, travel journalists, and travel bloggers at every stage.

Note-taking tools and apps

There are many note-taking apps on the market—too many, in fact, to list here. And we’ve already posted an article on some of the more popular note-taking apps available on Android and iOS. That said, some of our favorites are Evernote , OneNote, and (surprise) the stock Apple Notes app if you own an iPhone. They all have the same functionality, so pick one that makes the most sense to you and stick with it. If Microsoft Word is your writing software of choice, you’ll be happy to note that a premium subscription to OneNote cloud storage includes Microsoft Word.

Some like to travel with an iPad equipped with a Magic Keyboard case . But this may be too cumbersome for some travelers, especially if they are already bringing a mobile device. Instead, consider bringing a small bluetooth keyboard to use with your mobile device. The Logitech K380 is small and lightweight, runs forever on a couple of AAA batteries, and works like a dream.

Once more ubiquitous (and larger) than now, dictaphones are extremely handy. They can help you record interviews and the sounds of the environment you’re traveling in. Thanks to technological advancement, dictaphones are now much smaller than a smartphone, rely on flash memory, and can record in crystal-clear lossless FLAC or space-saving MP3 formats. What’s more, you can get a head start on your writing project by dictating while on assignment . We’re liking the Zoom Handy and this Sony voice recorder .

Writing software

Travel writers usually return from their travels with a host of article ideas and experiences to document. It can be quite difficult to stay organized. Fortunately, there is writing software like Scrivener to help us organize our work and write more efficiently. 

Scrivener is a powerful application that helps in managing large writing projects and organizing research. Think of it like a note-taking app on steroids. I can be also helpful in organizing pitches and article ideas for freelance travel writers and travel bloggers. For those penning a travel book, it helps to organize scenes or chapters, and even has a digital cork board with the ability to embed images and files for quick review. 

Scrivener can sync to your Dropbox account, and iPhone and iPad versions are available.

While there is a learning curve, we highly recommend it. Learn more about Scrivener here .

Editing software

If you’re a professional writer, chances are you’re not relying on your computer’s built-in proofreading tools alone. You probably use some kind of premium proofreading software. We’ve tried many products, but we’re currently loving ProWritingAid .

ProWritingAid checks for grammar, punctuation, diction, and style. It also helps with repetitive words, sticky sentences, and many other writing pitfalls. It comes as a stand-alone program, a browser plugin, and a web-based application. This piece of tech won’t replace a good human editor, but it will make an editor’s job so much easier while helping you strengthen your writing practice.

You can try the software for free or get a 20% discount on the premium version if you purchase it using our link .

Publishing software

If you want to self-publish your travel memoir, a collection of essays, or a helpful travel guide, consider purchasing Vellum . This program helps you format beautiful ebooks and print books without all the fuss.

We highly recommend Vellum , especially if you are interested in self-publishing several books. Considering that a basic ebook and print book formatting job from a reputable designer costs at least $50 on freelancing sites,  Vellum pays for itself after two or three books. 

Virtual private networks (VPNs)

If you travel frequently, chances are you have been hacked or someone has intercepted your data. Or, perhaps, some of your most-used websites and apps have been blocked when traveling. Fear not, NordVPN is here to help.

VPNs are great as they connect you to secure servers and encrypt your digital traffic, making it hard to impossible for common hackers to intercept, read, and exploit your data. Plus, a VPN will help you get around local internet restrictions and post that selfie to Instagram. #score

For the data protection alone, a VPN is one of the most useful apps for travel writers that money can buy. There are many VPN providers to choose from, but we currently recommend NordVPN because of its speed, reliability, and customer service. NordVPN also has great deals, especially if you use our affiliate link to save money.

Are we missing any must-have tools or apps for travel writers, travel journalists, or travel bloggers? What do you find particularly useful? Let us know in the comments section below!

Last Updated on 8 February 2023 by Travel Writing World

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Travel Writing World

With an emphasis on travel books and long-form travel literature, host Jeremy Bassetti talks with the world’s most inspiring travel writers about their work and about the business and craft of travel writing in this award-winning podcast and website. In addition to the podcast, the site also features travel writer profiles, book reviews, and articles.

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We’re Reimagining Our Travel Journalism. Tell Us What You’d Like to See.

Our new Travel editor, Amy Virshup, says she will be rebooting our travel journalism for the digital age. Send her your suggestions or ask a question here.

By Amy Virshup

I am thrilled to be The Times’s new Travel editor, taking over a department that has offered great writing and photography to Times readers for decades. As I look to reboot our travel journalism for the digital age, there are a few big themes I am thinking about, all aimed at helping our readers travel the world better, more knowledgeably and with more understanding.

[[Leave your feedback and questions for Amy on her plans for our travel coverage in the comments.]]

One is how we tell stories. The classic storytelling mode in travel writing (not just at The Times, but pretty much everywhere) is the first-person travelogue, in which someone parachutes into a location and brings back the tale of the journey. That has resulted in some wonderful writing and terrific insights into far-flung places. But it made more sense when travel was harder, when most people were never going to take that trip to Patagonia or the Australian outback, so the writer really was the reader’s window into a different world.

Now, people can much more easily visit places themselves, and they don’t necessarily want our take on a place; they want the tools to discover it for themselves and find their own take on it.

There will always be room for well-written pieces of discovery — I recommend our recent story about walking the periphery of Paris , for instance — but in general I want to take the word “I” out of our coverage.

People also increasingly want an “authentic” take on a place. When they travel, they want to feel as if they are slipping into the lives of the locals, not standing outside that life looking in. That, as much as saving money, is one prime reason behind the incredible growth in the sharing economy of Airbnb, VRBO and the like.

Those places, unlike hotels, give you the opportunity to really live in a neighborhood and partake of its charms — shopping at the grocery store, finding “your” bakery where you can pick up croissants each morning, or going for a run in the local park.

To tap into that hunger, I am looking at using more writers who actually live in the places readers want to visit.

We hear from locals all the time when we write stories about where they live, and often they want to tell us what we missed. That’s partly a result of the expansion of The Times’s readership around the world and also thanks to the strength of social media.

Years ago, if we wrote about Los Angeles, for instance, few people there would read it. Even if they did, if they found what we wrote lacking, the only way we would know is if they wrote a letter to the editor. These days, they take to Twitter and we hear them loud and clear.

As Travel editor, I want to harness that energy to amplify our coverage. One writer and one story can’t tell everything about a place, but if we can add readers’ voices and knowledge to what we do, we can get a fuller picture. And that’s what we all want.

Let’s get started. What suggestions do you have for our Travel desk? What kinds of travel tips would be useful to you? What do you think we’ve been missing? Please leave your suggestions and any questions you might have for me in the comments section.

Portrait by Earl Wilson/The New York Times

A note to readers who are not subscribers: This article from the Reader Center does not count toward your monthly free article limit.

Follow the @ReaderCenter on Twitter for more coverage highlighting your perspectives and experiences and for insight into how we work.

An Interview With Editor Jim Benning

He graciously agreed to share some perspectives from the editor’s chair here on the Travel Writing 2.0 blog.

What was your educational background and what were your early jobs before you became a travel writer and editor? 

I majored in English literature at UCLA. I took some journalism classes in college and knew then that I wanted to pursue a career in journalism. After I graduated, I landed a full-time freelance reporting job at the Los Angeles Times , and then worked as metro reporter at the Orange County Register , where I covered government, crime, and human-interest stories.

In between those two jobs, I backpacked around Europe and read a lot of travel writing, which inspired me to try writing travel stories of my own.

I first knew you through World Hum, an online magazine you co-founded that got purchased by a major media company and later dropped. Tell us the condensed version of that dramatic 3-act play. 

Oh, the drama. At the risk if beating your metaphor to death:

Act One: Friend and fellow writer-editor Michael Yessis and I launched a literary travel website as a labor of love while juggling day jobs. Amazingly, a community of incredibly talented writers and travelers developed around the site, and the thing kind of took off.

Act Two: Call it “Living the Dream.” In 2007, the Travel Channel bought the site and employed us to run it. Other talented editors, including Valerie Conners and Eva Holland, played key roles, and over the next four years, we grew the audience and published a lot of great stories.

Act Three: Despite a passionate following, World Hum struggled to find a sustainable business model, and when the Travel Channel was sold to a new company, Michael and I exited stage right, along with many others. Happily, countless friendships forged over those years endure. Michael and I long ago stopped updating the site, but we continue to pay web hosting fees, so World Hum is still up and everyone’s work remains accessible.

Now you're at Westways , a AAA magazine serving southern California, and AAA Explorer , which goes out AAA members in many other states. How did that all come about and what is your job like there?

I was hired here in 2016 to edit a magazine for AAA members in Texas. I should probably step back and explain that I work for Auto Club Enterprises, which operates around 10 AAA clubs around the country. We have offices in many states, but I work in Southern California. During the pandemic, we combined our eight or so regional magazines (including Texas Journey ) into a single title called AAA Explorer , and I was made editor-in-chief.

Around the same time, Westways’ longtime travel editor, Elizabeth Harryman, retired, and I became the travel editor of Westways . Elizabeth is beloved among travel writers, so I’ve had big shoes to fill.

What’s it like? My job keeps me busy! I assign and edit travel features, essays, and other pieces. I write as often as I can. And I work with a small team to produce a podcast called Traveling with AAA. I’m a lucky guy. At a time when the publishing industry is struggling, I get paid to make magazines and digital content. I get to work with great writers, and I have the luxury of working with wonderful editors (including copy editors), fact-checkers, and art directors.

What are some things you learned after becoming an editor at a large organization that people on the outside don't know or understand? 

I suspect a lot of writers waiting for me to reply to their emails don’t fully appreciate how much time I spend in meetings. That’s one thing about big organizations. Also, big companies generally have many layers of management, so making decisions can take time. That can be frustrating. But on the positive side, large organizations have resources that make jobs like mine possible. I work for a stable company. These days, especially, I don’t take that for granted.

What do you look for in a pitch and what traits do some writers have that will make you want to keep hiring them and assigning them articles? 

I look for a compelling story idea—something that feels original, fresh, and timely. If it’s a feature, I look for pitches that focus on something specific while also illuminating a larger theme or issue. I love stories that work on several levels.

What makes me want to keep working with some writers? They not only turn in great stories—articles or essays that are engaging, well-researched, and well-structured—but they are authors who have great attitudes.

What's an example of a story you wrote yourself that you're especially proud of and one that you've commissioned at Westways that came out great?

Several years ago, I spent a day with a group of mariachis in Los Angeles as they raced from one gig to the next. It was a simple concept, and I liked the way it came out.

I’ve loved so many of the stories I’ve commissioned at Westways. It’s hard to choose just one. Recently, I assigned writer Jessica Fender a story about road-tripping around New Zealand. Shortly before she left on the trip, her mother died unexpectedly. The resulting story is a meditation on grief, loss, and wonder . It’s raw and real and moving.

What's one place you've been that was much better than you expected and one that's on your short list that you haven't been to, but are planning to visit?

A place that was better than I expected? I’m not sure quite what I expected, but I really loved Dakar, Senegal. Great people and great music. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

There are so many places I still want to see. Today, I’ll go with Chile. I’m drawn to port towns, so I’d love to check out Valparaíso. And I’d love to spend time in Patagonia.

Jim Benning is the editor-in-chief of AAA Explorer and the travel editor of Westways , magazines that go out to about 10 million AAA members with every issue. Before working at AAA, he co-founded the online travel magazine World Hum and worked as an editor at the BBC and the Travel Channel. His own writing has appeared in Outside , Men’s Journal , the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times . His story about the music scene in Dakar, Senegal , was featured in the 2021 edition of The Best American Travel Writing .

Related posts:

• 6 Ways to Stand Apart as a Writer
• An Interview With Freelance Writer Sharon McDonnell
• From the Editor’s Mouth: Larry Habegger of Travelers’ Tales

About Author

Tim is the author of Travel Writing 2.0 as well as several other successful books. His work has been recognized by SATW, NATJA, and the Solas Awards. He has contributed to more than 50 publications as a freelancer and is the editor of five websites and blogs, including the "Best online travel magazine" and the popular Cheapest Destinations Blog , established in 2003.

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clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

How to pitch travel stories to The Washington Post

The Washington Post is providing this news free to all readers as a public service.

Follow this story and more by signing up for national breaking news email alerts.

By The Way is the The Washington Post’s destination for travel news , tips and guides from local experts, both online and in print. Our goal is to help readers travel smarter, whether that’s explaining trends in prices or detailing hacks that help trips go off without a hitch. We also cover breaking news about the industries, policies and events that shape where you go and how you get there.

We prioritize service journalism and practicality; our readers fly coach. We also have a sense of humor , explain viral moments and explore the minutia of travel . With very few exceptions, we’re not interested in a first-person travelogue from a place most readers are unlikely to go.

We’re seeking contributing writers who can meet the editorial standards of The Post and teach readers something they can apply to their own travels. We’re especially interested in voices that are underrepresented in travel media .

Prospective writers can send pitches to Travel and By The Way Editor Amanda Finnegan and Deputy Editor Gabe Hiatt , or through The Post’s Talent Network. Please be patient if we don’t respond immediately. If we like your idea, you’ll hear from us.

The ideal pitch should be summarized in three paragraphs or less while giving us a sense of the tone, reporting requirements, sourcing and experience informing the article.

Pitch us if …

• You have a plan to execute a story about a place you live in or know well, and you have sources already lined up to provide context.
• Your story is connected to a news event and could be turned around quickly.
• Your story empowers readers to plan better , spend smarter or fix a common travel problem .
• Your story covers a trend that speaks to the larger culture of travel .
• Your story has broad appeal with American travelers.
• Your story shows readers something new about a popular travel destination; everyone knows about the Louvre already.
• Your story explores how locals eat and drink and how a visitor can do the same.
• You have a travel hack or hot take for our Upgrade series. You can pitch that here.

We’ll likely pass if …

• You’re parachuting into a place far from home.
• You have a personal essay that fails to include a broader, relatable subject .
• Your pitch focuses on luxury.
• Your idea is based on a press trip. We don’t accept freebies. Read more on our standards below.

If we accept your pitch

We’ll discuss length (ideally between 600 and 1,200 words) and payment. Our rates are competitive and negotiated on a piece-by-piece basis, depending on the experience of the writer and the scope of the assignment.

Our standards

• We can’t accept pieces that result from free trips. Free trips (or “press trips”) are complimentary or discounted trips sponsored by organizations with a vested interest in the stories that result: tourism offices, chambers of commerce and visitors’ bureaus, as well as airlines, hotels, cruise ships, outfitters, guides and other travel providers.
• We very rarely pay freelance travel expenses. Please don’t pitch stories with the expectation that The Post will underwrite the cost of your travel.
• We buy first publication rights, so don’t pitch anything that has already appeared anywhere else or that is part of a multiple submission.
• We cannot accept stories that are piggybacked onto assignments from other publications. For example, if one publication sends you to Amsterdam to write about restaurants, don’t pitch a story about Amsterdam museums researched on that trip.
• You must disclose to the assignment editor any conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest related to the assignment.
• Freelancers should not represent themselves as Washington Post writers while reporting. They may, however, identify themselves as freelance reporters writing an article for The Washington Post Travel section when interviewing subjects for the story.
• You should travel anonymously, unless otherwise agreed to by your assignment editor. You should not inform hotels, restaurants, cruise personnel, etc., that you are writing about or reviewing their business.
• When a pitch is accepted, the terms of your agreement with The Post are laid out in the Writer Agreement through our Talent Network.
• Submitted stories that violate Travel’s submission guidelines will not be published and will not be eligible for kill fees.

TRAVEL WRITE EARN

I’m James Durston (say hello over in the video) and I’m here to help you become a successful travel writer.

I’ve sold hundreds of articles myself as a freelance writer for many high profile publications including CNN, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast , Discovery, VICE, SCMP, The Independent and The Daily Mail. More importantly I’ve spent nearly US$750,000 buying thousands of articles as a commissioning editor.

Travel Write Earn is designed to show you exactly what I’m thinking and how I work when I sell and buy travel articles, so you can maximise your own chances of similar success.

Sample lesson from the TWE Pitching Workshop video course. More details here . 

STEP 1: FREE STUFF

Check out all the free stuff on the site, from informative blog posts to mini tutorials to free ebooks with places to pitch

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127 travel publications to pitch

Get your travel writing career off to a flyer with this list of 127 magazines, websites and newspapers that accept freelance travel queries. Enter your email address below and I’ll send it immediately.

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Your ebook above tells you where to pitch, now learn how. To win assignments, you need to know how to write and structure emails that editors like to receive. This 90-minute workshop deconstructs the process.

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As a writer and an editor

Past clients include CNN, VICE, Travel + Leisure, GQ (and many more). Past roles include reporter, commissioning editor and managing editor. I know both sides of the travel publishing market – selling and buying stories – which means you get the full picture on Travel Write Earn.

Travel Write Earn books

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Welcome to the online home and portfolio of Michele Peterson, travel writer and communications consultant!

Based in Toronto, Michele is an award-winning freelance travel writer, editor, blogger at A Taste for Travel and mobile app publisher who specializes in food, drink and sun destinations — although she’s equally at home writing about swimming with beluga whales, trends in luxury perfume or NASCAR racing. Check out clips and samples of her travel writing articles on the Portfolio page.

Cycling Lake Annecy, France

A former banker, who ditched the corporate world for travel writing a decade ago, her work has appeared in Fodor’s, Conde Nast, WestJet, National Geographic Traveller, enRoute, Fifty-five Plus, Taste & Travel International, Ottawa Wedding and 100+ print and online publications.

She authored the Pacific Coast chapter of Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source and her work has also appeared in popular travel anthology books such as Go Your Own Way , Sand in My Bra: Funny Women Write from the Road and A Woman’s Asia.  

Visit her Portfolio  page for an in-depth look at sample clips of writing that’s appeared in a wide range of print and online publications.

If you’d like to get a behind-the-scenes look inside the world of travel writing and immerse yourself in the  world’s most fascinating food, drink and sun destinations, visit Michele’s culinary travel blog at  A Taste for Travel  by clicking on the image below:

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How do you actually write a travel feature? | Who's commissioning? | Mentoring scheme

It's december and we've got big news. and some sound advice..

Exciting news: we’re launching the fourth round of our mentoring programme, with 10 FREE places open for new and aspiring travel writers. We have 10 truly brilliant mentors — with bylines in everything from National Geographic Traveller to The Guardian, The Telegraph and more — who will be offering their expert knowledge to 10 mentees throughout January and February 2024.

This scheme is for new or aspiring travel writers. That means you might be a journalist in another field looking to get bylines in travel publications; maybe you’re a student looking to get into the travel media when you graduate; or perhaps you’re completely new to the writing game entirely and would like guidance on where to get started.

There are no real entry requirements, but you must be new(ish) to the industry and must be aiming to pursue a career as a professional travel writer. We’re passionate about helping diversify the travel press, so writers from diverse backgrounds, including those underrepresented in the travel media, are absolutely encouraged to apply.

If you're one of the 10 mentees selected, you’ll be matched with a mentor who you’ll meet (via Zoom, over the phone or even in person if you choose) four times over a period of two months, starting from January 2024.

Applications for mentees will close at midnight GMT on Friday 15th of December.

Apply to the TTW mentoring programme

Thank you for subscribing to Talking Travel Writing as we use your money to both invest in excellent content and support schemes like this.

We’d also like to encourage you to spread some Christmas cheer and purchase JournoResources’ third edition of The Yearbook . This 100-page magazine covers all things freelancing, including articles about the opportunities brought by AI, directories of salaries and rates from across the media, plus personal development exercises to help with goal setting for the coming year. All the money goes to a good cause, too: it’ll support their 2024/2025 fellowship programme. Buy the magazine here for just £11.50 including postage.

You’ve done the research and landed the commission, but you’ve still not done the hardest part: writing the feature. Something we hear from you, our subscribers, on a regular basis is that the actual writing of the travel feature can be excruciating. We see tweets from colleagues at least once a week saying something along the lines of:

Yep, I’ve got a major deadline today but instead of writing the piece I’ve spent four hours doomscrolling on social media. Cool, bro.

The procrastination can hit hard when you’ve got a Big One to write. Especially if it’s a piece you really care about. So what’s the best process? Is there a secret to getting started and finding the flow? After the cracking webinar we ran with Meera Dattani last week (we’ll be sharing a link to buy the recording soon!), we’re going to spend this month delving into the nitty gritty of feature writing, and we’re kicking off by sharing our own personal processes.

Talking Travel Writing is a reader-funded newsletter. Get our weekly updates by becoming a paid subscriber for £7 a month:

Lottie’s process: “I’m lazy, and proud”

I really want to tell you that I painstakingly plot out every paragraph of my features, but the reality is that I just don’t. I am lazy, and proud. That might sound a bit stupid, but let me explain…

Travel writing is my business. While I care about the words I write being accurate, enjoyable, easy to read, and entertaining, I also care about how much money I make. Which is why I give myself a target timeframe in which to write each piece that’s commissioned. I need to make a reasonable day rate, after all. If I get a commission worth £500, I’ll aim to spend no more than two days working on the copy. If I can get it done in a day, I’ll be delighted.

This is why, when it comes to the writing, I don’t really have much of a process at all. My mind whirrs with ideas and I play around with creative introductions in my head while I’m on the trip itself — and sometimes I’ll note them down if they really grab me — but when I get to my desk, I don’t arrive with a plan or carefully ordered notes. I kind of just let it flow. If I have my introduction, the rest tends to follow quite naturally. I really wish I could explain how or why, but it just happens to me. I will usually crack out a first draft in half a day, then fine-tune, rewrite and tweak from there, adding in things I might have missed first time around, and going back through notes to check I’ve got it all right.

Of course, there are sometimes those stories that are a little harder to piece together. They don’t always write themselves so easily. Any piece that needs plenty of quotes from experts on the ground or statistics, for example, is always going to be a little trickier — I have to make other people’s words fit into a story with my own. But even then, a simple bullet-pointed list of the loose structure will usually do the trick. I might pick out some choice quotes and stick them in a separate document so I can see how they might fit together, but there’s really no real strategy.

I had long felt like I was doing it “wrong” because I didn’t pore over my words for hours on end. That pesky imposter syndrome I wrote about last month would creep in when I heard of others’ convoluted and detailed processes for feature writing — I was clearly not good enough if I didn’t have to spend five days working on one feature. But now I realise that in writing, as in life, we are all different. Some people need to plan, some people need hours to craft a paragraph. Some people don’t. And I’m just fortunate enough to be in that latter category. I’m not really lazy, I’m just efficient, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s great, because it means I can earn a decent living from being a writer, which is half the battle.

Steph’s process: “ My first draft can be the crappiest piece of writing imaginable”

I’m a big planner. But I’m also aware that my time needs to work hard if I’m to turn a decent profit on my writing. I don’t think those two things need to be mutually exclusive.

I’ve written several involved features of late, where sensitive topics require expert interviews and the subsequent weaving together of crucial context, facts and quotations. Reported travel features can feel daunting to write and the only way I’ve found to synthesise large quantities of information is through a detailed plan.  

I’ll start with interview transcripts and pull out key quotations into a Google doc, identifying themes that might be useful as I go. I then add notes taken during the trip, whether colourful prose capturing a specific moment or commentary that illustrates my angle. Together, these will form my plan, which is built from the juiciest quotations and comments and ordered according to the structure that will have naturally taken shape during this process. Inevitably, much of what I’ve tried to squeeze into my plan won’t make it into the final piece, but this allows me to cherry-pick what best serves the thrust of the story.

This might seem like a long-winded process compared with Lottie’s, but for me, after an hour or two of detailed planning, the piece often writes itself; I’ll have such a clear idea of where I’m taking it. At this stage, I try and avoid the internet at all costs. Falling down the Twitter rabbit hole of Chef Reactions videos and Elon Musk-baiting is addictive but not chargeable. Instead, I’ll bold sentences that need fact-checking during the editing process so I can come back to them later. 

And, if writer’s block rears its obnoxious head, I’ll pretend no one’s ever going to read my work and get down on the page what I’ve affectionately dubbed a “brain dump”. After all, agonising over every single word doesn’t meet deadlines and my first draft can be the crappiest piece of writing imaginable — I’ll have time to polish it later. It’s a psychological trick I’ve found to silence my belligerent inner critic, and rarely have I returned to a piece to discover it was as career-endingly terrible as I’d originally thought. 

Sure, it would be easy to spend days labouring over the above. However, the more I write, the stricter I am with my time. I’ll allow for an hour or two of planning, an afternoon of writing and then a couple of hours for the edit. I always do this a few days later when my brain feels sufficiently removed from the writing process to ruthlessly trim the fat. Editing is just as important as writing and, if you hone your craft, a simple way to make editors’ jobs easier and them more likely to commission you again.

Let's get practical: self-editing tips

I wrote last week about how being edited and learning to edit others’ work has made me a better writer. But one thing I didn’t talk about is how it also made me a better editor of my own work, too. Self-editing is essential and if you don’t do it, you could end up turning in copy that’s littered with typos, half-finished sentences or muddled observation…

Who’s commissioning?

Way back when this newsletter began we ran this ad-hoc section on which publications were actively commissioning features. It’s been a while, so here’s a list of the travel media that have put call-outs for pitches or commissioned us or our freelance colleagues lately.

The Telegraph — No guidelines to read, but here’s some pitching tips from features editor, Penny Walker. Rates £0.35 per word.

Jetsetter Magazine — Managing Editor Nick Walton has put out a couple of call-outs on TravMedia lately (sign up for access). Their winter 2023 issue can be read here and email addresses are in the masthead. A little birdy tells us they pay HK$2.50 per word, which is around £0.26.

National Geographic Traveller — there aren’t any pitching guidelines for these guys but you’re always best reading the mag and pitching for a specific section, like the City Life pages. Here’s advice from editor Pat Riddell . Rates around £0.30 per word.

The Guardian — A few people we know have been commissioned by the team there recently, so get your pitches in. No guidelines available; rates circa £0.36 per word.

The Times — There are ample pages to fill in The Times so don’t hesitate to pitch if you’ve something relevant. New commissioning editor Claudia Rowan is probably your best contact. Rates circa £0.40 per word.

Atlas Obscura — These guys recently put a call out through Kiti Social. Read the guidelines here . Pitches always need to go through [email protected] . Rates around US$0.50 per word.

Send more pitches:

An a-z of travel pitching guidelines, tweet of the week.

It’s best-of 2024 time and this tweet made us cackle.

Who to follow

New Commissioning Editor on the Times Travel desk, Claudia Rowan :

Industry must-reads

Want to follow some of the best in the business? Head here to see who won the inaugural TravYule Baubles awards (we may or may not be on the winners list!).

Enjoyed this take on how the annual best-of lists get it wrong by Lucy Thackray. Cathy Adams at The Times has covered one of the topics closest to our hearts here : the devastating disappearance of the hotel breakfast buffet.

Finally, up your LinkedIn game with this piece from Tim Herrera:

This is the first newsletter in our series on how to write a great travel feature. Upcoming newsletters for paid subscribers only will cover:

How to plan your piece

How to find the “why now” angle

Skills all travel writers need

Ready for more?

Legendary Sanibel fly fisherman Norm Zeigler passes at 75

Norm Zeigler had no secret fishing spots.

Inventor of one of the most used flies in the history of fly fishing, Zeigler was known for passing on his free fishing knowledge in a sport that's often thought of an exclusive extension of angling reserved for the rich and retired.

The famous Sanibel Island angler and businessman died early Monday at his partially rebuilt home on Sanibel Island from complications related to Parkinson's.

Born on July 10, 1948 on Cape Cod, Zeigler, 75, worked as a travel and outdoors writer and editor for most of his life, and he was known locally as the forefather and big promoter of fly fishing for snook, especially from beaches like Sanibel Island.

"He was so king and big-hearted and that's why he was so successful," said his wife of 39 years, Libby Grimm. "He believed in no secret spots, even before he opened the fly shop."

He is survived by Libby, son Travis Zeigler of Sanibel, daughter, Katrina Sherman (Hunter), and three grandchildren, of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his sister and three brothers, and many nieces and nephews.

Zeigler spent much of his professional life as an outdoors and travel writer and editor for Stars and Stripes, a military publication based in Germany.

There, he roamed across much of Europe, hunting and fishing some of the most beautiful landscapes the continent has to offer.

Zeigler came down with Lyme disease, and in 1994 his doctor advised that he move to an area like Florida for its temperate climate and clean air.

He did, but he also lost trout fishing, which had become an obsession over the decades.

Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop on Sanibel Island

"He was so sick he would cast from the beach, and then he realized he could catch snook from the beach," Libby said. "Then he wrote the book that revolutionized the fly fishing industry because you didn't need money to pay for a guide."

Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop opened in 2009 along Periwinkle Drive, and the fly fishing atmosphere there inspired a generation of guides in Lee County to follow Zeigler's lead.

He sold the shop in 2021 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's.

"He didn't make it three years and (Hurricane) Ian didn't help because we lost everything in the world," Libby said. "It was a 6-minute walk to the Gulf, and it was a great house until Ian."

Hurricane Ian made landfall on their 38th wedding anniversary, Libby said.

Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains for Clean Water, worked at Zeigler's fly shop for several years while he was in high school.

"I met Norm before I had my driver's license," Andrews said. "I must have been 13 or 14 years old."

He said Zeigler was an advocate for fly fishing and he fought to break down economic barriers that keep many people from enjoying the sport.

'Anybody can pick up a fly rod'

"The thing about Norm was he was incredibly empowering to people: Anybody can pick up a fly rod and you don't need the fanciest setup out there," Andrews said. "The most notable thing about his is he worked to remove boundaries and he wanted people to find the peace and connection to nature."

Andrews described Zeigler as a serious fisherman who wanted his friends and guests to experience the joys he had come to know on Sanibel.

"When you were on the water with him, he had a sense of seriousness and there wasn't a lot of words said," Andrews said. "He just wanted you to have the same experience he did. The real drive for that was the peace and serenity that he had while fly fishing the beaches."

Long-time friend and fellow fly fisherman Bob Brooks said Zeigler's shop was key to starting a unique fishery on Sanibel.

"There were a few people who were doing it but they were very quiet about it," Brooks said. "Norm was the one who started writing about it and developed the Schminnow and he was probably the first people who really went after it and told people about it. Then people started to come to Sanibel just to do that and they still do."

Zeigler was featured in a recent Flyfisherman.com article on his life and passing.

Zeigler helped create Southwest Florida's beach fly fishery

Calusa Watekeeper and fishing guide Codty Pierce, 33, worked at Zeigler's shop as a teenager, and he credited Zeigler with making Southwest Florida waters famous.

"He's really the one who bridged the gap and told normal people they could sight fish for tropical gamefish on Sanibel Island," Pierce said. Sight fishing is a visual method where fish are spotted and then cast to. "Not only was it his business but he went out of his way to give casting lessons and encouraged people to go out and try it. He founded the Sanibel Fly Club and they really are a staple of the community." Pierce said Zeigler was a leader in the fishing community and just a genuinely good person.

"What started as hanging out on a dirty old couch turned into a group that got together for fly fishing because we were passionate about it, but that turned into more beautiful things like helping Boy Scouts and doing work inside Ding Darling and that was all the brainchild of Norm," Pierce said. "His book was a gamechanger for this area because it really put us on the map. The only thing that's rivaled his book is the tarpon fishing at Boca Grande."

But Zeigler's health failed him in the past few years.

"He certainly had his share of health issues with the chronic Lyme disease and the prostate cancer and this Parkinson's was more than enough, but fly fishing was his Zen, his yoga and his religion," Libby said.

Donations in Norm’s memory may go to Captains for Clean Water, or organizations supporting Parkinson’s research. In late fall, a memorial service will be held on Sanibel, Libby said.

Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Facebook.