Keen to break into travel journalism but not quite sure where to start?
We called on three female writers who have paved their way in the industry, and asked them to share their sage advice on compelling story writing, pitching etiquette, and more…
Top pitching tips… Try to be patient! Rich coming from me (wildly impatient) but editors have full inboxes and don’t like to be spammed. Be concise but specific – include names of the hotes/ recos you’re suggesting, flag why it’s timely, and make it unique to the publication. If it doesn’t work out, don’t take it to heart. Editors have schedules and themes in mind for various stories – just because they don’t commission your idea doesn’t mean it’s shit!
Advice on getting published… Start small and don’t be disheartened. Build up your portfolio with your own blog or by contributing to smaller publications and go from there. Try long form Instagram captions and see what response they get – they’re a good way to build a voice and an audience, and you get direct feedback on what works and what doesn’t.
How can you make your writing stand out from the crowd? Personality is key. I love reading pieces that make you feel like you’re chatting to the writer IRL.
Writers to look to/ read to improve one’s travel writing… I get a lot of joy from reading the weekend papers and marvelling at different writers’ tones and styles. Not specific to travel, I love Grace Dent, Dolly Alderton, Tim Dowling, Anna Hart, Sarah Jossel…
Follow Alice Tate here.
Top pitching tips… Look at what the magazine / website / paper already commissions. What regular slots do they have? What sort of destinations / angles do they cover? Write a short pitch email with a few links to your work.
How can you make your writing stand out from the crowd? Avoid cliché, read widely, edit a lot! Write as if you were writing to a friend.
Advice on how to write a gripping opening paragraph… Experiment with a few different openings. Is it a colour intro that sets the scene? Is it something that takes the reader by surprise? Is it dialogue? A quote? Is it a moment you’ll come back to later.
Writers to look to/ read to improve one’s travel writing… I love funny travel writers, like Martha Gellhorn and A A Gill.
Follow Kate Wills here.
Top pitching tips… First off, be sure to research the publication you're pitching thoroughly and only pitch a subject or destination you know is on-brand and under-covered. Secondly, clearly state the pitch topic within the subject line of the email and be concise. I think it's appropriate to follow up a week later if you've received no response, but remember, editors receive hundreds of pitches alongside internal and external work emails. Be patient and ready to move on if you're met with radio silence.
Advice on getting published… Build a network. Attend industry events and familiarise yourself with the editors who handle your areas of interest. Many writers regularly hold workshops on writing and getting published; R.O. Kwon and Alexander Chee are two examples (check the Shipman Agency website for more), and I think they're a worthwhile investment. But mostly, write. And remember, a hard edit from a seasoned editor is a privilege – leave your ego at the door and be prepared to kill all your darlings.
How can you make your writing stand out from the crowd? Try to zone in on under-covered destinations and topics. Be specific, choose your verbs carefully, avoid clichés at all costs, and most importantly, have a point of view.
Advice on how to write a gripping opening paragraph… You don't always have to start a story at the beginning. Dive in with a scene or even the ending and build from there. If you're really struggling, pick an interesting or obscure element of your topic to dive into. Maybe it's a quirky design detail or an explosively flavourful dish you can't stop thinking about. Perhaps it's the unexpected starkness of the landscape or the vivid colour of the soil, etc. I generally write my introductory paragraphs last – don't get so stuck at the start that you never make it to the end.
Writers to look to/ read to improve one's travel writing…
Not a travel writer, but read Rachel Tashjian's work at GQ for unexpected points of view and superb flow. Sophy Roberts' travel pieces at the FT get right into the heart of the matter, while the far-flung destinations she covers (Chad, Siberia) fuel my wanderlust. Mary Holland covers everything from art and design to travel and always finds the best spots to sip, see, and savour in every city. Alexandra Fuller is hands down my favourite writer – don't miss her memoirs, nearly all of which take place in Africa, plus her investigative pieces for National Geographic. Lastly, Stephanie Danler has written several old but insanely good travel articles for Travel + Leisure that I re-read repeatedly.
Follow Rachael McKeon here.
Any Questions or Tips to add?