Comments on: Why Every Travel Writer Should Embrace Their Ego

By: Bahtman

Bahtman — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:14:43 +0000

Thanks for the article Josh, and for including Zinsser's advice – truly the Mac Daddy Supreme of nonfiction writing instruction.

The question I have is likely more appropriate for a FAQ section, but as an utter newbie I'm wondering about examples of places to "Send In Your Work." I'm roughly three quarters of the way through my first stab at travel writing – which I plan to put up at Travelpod.com under Bahtman. I'm not certain it's something I'd consider publication-worthy (I hadn't thought of that aspect 'til now,) but just on the off-chance I decide to polish it up…

What are some of the likely publications where you don't necessarily have to be a Pulitzer Prize winner, but just a decent writer, to have a fighting chance?

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By: Chris Estes

Chris Estes — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:03:01 +0000

Getting picked up in traditional media and press is one of the hardest things to do. I have not written many travel articles and can safely say that none of them have been published. I have found a rising avenue to be social media or blogging. There are lots of mediocre travel writers writing on the internet. Something else that is widely known and rarely exploited is the reach of the internet is typically more far reaching than print media. Something to think about!

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By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:03:42 +0000

I’m the editor of a travel magazine in Australia. When someone sends me in a travel story the things I look for are:
1. Economy – why write 2000 words in what you can say in 1500?
2. Simplicity – The KISS rule (keep it simple, stupid) ALWAYS applies.
3. Target market – the writer must know their market.
4. Avoid first persion – write about the travel expereince the READER will have not what YOU had.
5. Great pics – I can improve a story but I can’t improve the pics!
Cheers
Brent

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By: CK

CK — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:59:39 +0000

Nice piece of advice.

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By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:14:44 +0000

Thanks Josh, this is great advice. I’ll post on iloho for our budding writers there! Emma

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:57:32 +0000

Nice piece, Josh, and good advice too.

Although, one of the best pieces of advice I ever got about travel writing was this gem from SF Chronicle Editor John Flinn:

“Don’t tell me about your trip, tell me what my trip will be like when I get there.”

So write with ego, but always keep the reader in mind as well.

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