Why Be A Travel Writer?
September 10, 2008 in Travel writing
I’ve struggled with the decision for a while, but it’s finally kicked in: I want to be a travel writer. Over the past several years, I’ve taken small steps towards that goal, and now things are starting to come together. But my dreams don’t revolve around traipsing across the planet while my editor/publisher covers every expense, or penning a best-selling Bryson-meets-Cahill-esque tome. Over the years, I’ve learned that those experiences are much too few and far between. The travel writing biz is too competitive and too saturated to count on those dreams coming true. At least for now, anyway. So why not just steer clear of such a volatile field and instead sell my body to science? Well, the answers finally came to me.
Because “travel” is a flexible term
If you want to write a murder mystery, you’d darn well better include a murder. Your romance novel can’t involve two people who just want to be friends. You can’t be a sports writer without talking about sports, nor a food writer without writing about food. But travel writing can be about almost anything: food, sports, books, architecture, music, avocado-scented massage oil, clothing, animals — you name it. And the best part is that you don’t necessarily need to travel to write about these things. Writing about your hometown can count as travel writing. Who says a story about Gordon, Nebraska, can’t be just as appealing to a Bolivian or a Russian as a story about Bangkok or Brazil?
Because there’s a lot of support
I’ve met several great people in travel writing circles. The Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference was the best experience I’ve ever had (I went two years in a row), and the faculty is always willing to give advice and answer questions. I’ve met several other travel writers via e-mail, websites, or at various speaking engagements, and all have been willing to let me pick their brains. I still maintain contact with many of these people, and I still go to them for support and feedback. Some sites, like Written Road, offer advice and info on writing opportunities and competitions. MatadorU has forums for students and alumni. Support is a mouse click away.
Because there’s always a need for content
Although many print travel magazines have vanished, websites have picked up the slack and then some. Want to learn more about naked yak taunting? There’s probably a website for that. (Scary thought, eh?) And if there is, then there’s a need for someone to write about it. There’s always a topic that can be written about from a fresh perspective, and this includes topics that you and I love and know a fair deal about.
Here are 15 Paying Travel Magazines looking for material.
Because it’s a challenge
After writing on-and-off for several years, it recently hit me that I enjoy writing simply for the sake of writing. What I fell in love with was the art of manipulating my words in the best way to hook the reader. Do I always succeed? Doubtful, but even a (gasp!) mediocre piece lets me learn what not to do for the next time. Even if the process is long and agonizing, there’s always a payoff. (Well, for me, anyway. I can’t promise the reader is always as lucky.)
Because dreams can come true
Grab your favorite travel magazine and open it up to any article. Recognize the author? Oh, you do? Well — try another article. Okay, recognize that author? Didn’t think so. That’s someone who’s in print and (most likely) getting paid. Maybe they’re not a big name yet. But it’s a start. I’ve been lucky to have a few small starts: getting published in a book, in a few magazines, and on a few websites. Even getting that far took a lot of time and effort. But the experience was addictive, and I’m hooked.
Because it involves the things I love
That is, travel and writing. ‘Nuff said.
Want to get into travel writing? Then check our travel writing resources or join the MatadorU Travel Writing Course.
This article was written by Dave Prine
Dave Prine studied in Germany and fell in love with the people and languages of Europe. He's currently planning a round-the-world trip but keeps getting stuck on which direction to go. In the meantime, you can check out his travel blog and his language blog if you have any recommendations.
Since November 2006 the Indie Travel Podcast has evolved into an independent travel hub with regular audio and video podcasts along with articles by travellers from all over the world. 
Hosts Craig and Linda Martin started travelling in February 2006 and have been to over 50 countries. They were 
Craig and Linda said on September 11, 2008
Good luck Dave. As you said, it’s hard graft but ultimately rewarding. We, and I’m sure many people here, wish you all the best.
Brianne said on September 11, 2008
I would guess that as a paid travel writer that most of your travel would be covered, or at least tax deductible, but let me warn you and your readers about booking with Expedia. They claim to have high customer satisfaction ratings, but let me tell you that’s not the case. Not only am I now aware of the upset and very unsatisfied customers they do have, but I’m unfortunately among their ranks…
We booked a flight with them and bought the cancellation insurance in case I couldn’t go. Which of course is what happened. When we tried to cancel my ticket, we were informed that even though we had purchased the insurance, the tickets we had were the type you couldn’t cancel. At no point during our purchase had we been informed of this, and we were even allowed to pay for the insurance even though it was going to do us no good. They customer service reps and even their manager agreed that it was misrepresented, but they wouldn’t do anything for us. Now we’re stuck with a ticket that cost us over $500, which means I have to go – and on top of all this, they won’t refund the cost of the cancellation insurance that we can’t use.
Nomadic Matt said on September 14, 2008
After interviewing a number of guidebook authors for my website, I would never want to do the job they do. Maybe once just to do it and see my guide in the hands of millions but not as a career. low pay, rushed work…no way….
NewWrldYankee said on September 15, 2008
Sounds like an idea, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like an uphill climb. But you’ve convinced me that it might just be worth a try! What is the best way to get started?.
USA Traveller said on September 21, 2008
Sounds ideal on the surface but I think you would relinquish a lot of what makes traveling fun – i.e doing your own thing, in order to get perceive things the way other people would.
dave prine said on September 24, 2008
Hi Craig & Lindaâ€â€ÂMany thanks for the support!
Brianneâ€â€ÂSorry for your experience. Thanks for postingâ€â€Âit’s a reminder that we all need to be cautious about the fine print (and lack thereof) when it comes to paying for travel.
Nomadic Mattâ€â€ÂA lot of people share that sentiment, and I must admit I’m a little wary of the business. It sounds like a lot of work for little payback, including those reasons you mentioned. But it does let one travel for a living, so that’s a plus. And it is a writing credit (although most guidebook writers I hear from end up selling way less than a million copies). But there are also many other outlets for travel writing, so there are alternatives to the fast-paced guidebook gig.
Yankeeâ€â€ÂYeah, it’s not an easy gig: lots of competition and lots of time at the computer writing horrid draft after horrid draft (at least in my experience). But it’s fun and you meet a lot of nice people in the process. To get started, I’d suggest:
-Read a lot of travel writing, especially in the vein of what you’re hoping to write (narratives, magazine articles, guidebooks, whatever).
-Write a lot. Write, write, write!
-Read Lonely Planet’s Travel Writing (How to) book. This is one of the best books I’ve read on this topic, and it combines great advice, practical examples, and interviews with various travel writers.
-Check out various travel writing sites. The ones that got me started were
http://www.writtenroad.com,
http://www.vagablogging.net,
http://www.bootsnall.com and
http://www.worldhum.com
to name but a few. From there, you should get connected to other writers, publishers, editors, and events that will open doors and provide opportunities for you.
-Sign up for the Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. Great time, incredible staff (including some big names) and an amazing opportunity. Check out http://www.bookpassage.com for more info.
(I hope these links come through ok.)
-Don’t drag your feet like I did. Get out there and write!
USA Travellerâ€â€ÂI think you’re right. I think it’s hard to enjoy travel the same way when you’re paying too much attention to what you’re doing. On the other hand, as far as a job goes, I’d prefer that to the typical 9-5 routine. (But would I be able to take a vacation without treating it like work? Hmm…) [Say, isn’t your name a contradiction, since in the US, we spell â€Å"Traveler†with one â€Å"lâ€ÂÂ?]
Claire said on February 3, 2009
Despite the fact that I probably won’t live a high strung ‘comfortable’ lifestyle like I grew up in, I still want to pursue this. I’m only seventeen and I know that I am meant to become a travel writer. I want to lead a fulfilling life without having to rely on materialistic belongings. I honestly believe that I can give up shopping and TV to just be able to live and explore a foreign country.
I know there will be ups and downs (maybe more downs than ups) in my quest to travel and write professionally, but on my deathbed, when I look back at my life, I will be happy.
lauren said on September 14, 2009
I’ve been writing and traveling off the revenue for some time, and am more than happy with this lifestyle. While I rarely get paid for actual travel-style writing, i do find money writing other things and genres easily, which keeps the road ahead of be changing.
Traveller said on March 11, 2010
I wish I could try…Travelling is my great passion, but writing, unfortunately, isn’t my strenght. I wish you good luck!