Kyle Wagner is a freelance writer, editor, and restaurant consultant. A Pittsburgh native, she put herself through journalism school by cooking in restaurants, which she quickly realized was the best way to eat great food for free. A move to Denver in 1993 sparked 21 years as a food writer and travel editor. She spent nine of those years as restaurant critic at Westword until she moved to The Denver Post to be their food critic, writer, and recipe developer, and in time, their travel editor -- a position she held until late 2014 when she decided to see what she would like to be when she grows up.
She has been a reviewer for the Fodor's Guide to Colorado for more than a decade and currently works as a freelance writer, leading workshops and sharing her years of experience both as a writer and an editor to others looking to break into the travel writing market.
When she’s not working (if you can call getting paid to travel the world “work”), she races mountain bikes. This year will be her third attempt at getting the buckle in the Leadville 100 mountain bike race.
I am happiest when:I am rafting on a river for days and am unreachable.
The best thing I ever did: I have two daughters who somehow turned out to be fun loving, adventurous, easygoing, and serious foodies who are fascinated by the world. It's like I handcrafted two best friends!
Something people don’t know about me: I can strip a cow of its milk in record time. (Right after college, I worked at a small dairy farm in Evans City, PA.)
Best adventure: Life! Even when it’s a challenge, it’s the best trip there is to be on.
What do editors want? How do you grab an editor’s attention? If I could definitively answer that question for each and every editor, that would be something, wouldn’t it? But the reality is that it’s hard to know what any given editor needs from day to day. However, there are several things that every editor […]
I was never supposed to be a photographer. You see, I’m a word gal. Always have been. I knew from the age of 6 that I wanted to be a writer, and more specifically, a journalist – and I worked very hard to achieve that goal, eventually holding two of the most coveted jobs in […]
A heron sits motionless at the edge of the canal, seemingly unperturbed by the hundreds of bicycles zooming past just a few feet away. The sun is bright, but the air is comfortably cool, and the smell of a sweet batter cooking – perhaps for stroopwafel or appeltaart – wafts past in the light breeze. […]
What would you do if a major daily newspaper travel editor called you out of the blue one day to offer you a job as a travel writer? Well, that’s what can happen when you build a successful travel blog. Four travel columnists for The Denver Post know exactly how it feels to get that […]
The trip sounds perfect: A week in Hawaii, with round-trip airfare, lodging in Waimea and Hilo, and activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling paid for by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, including several meals at top-notch restaurants. The organization is accepting full-time journalists and freelancers, and the timing fits right into your schedule. But then […]
Kyle Wagner’s tips on how to become a travel writer, breaking into the travel-writing business can be a little challenging, but you won’t have a hard time getting motivated after reading her story.
Including a video with your photos and copy can really hel sell your travel article. Here are some tips on how to publish a travel video with your piece…
Travel writing isn’t only about taking luxury trips. It’s also about adventure… living life to its fullest… and food!
Read the passion-filled travel adventure stories of Denver Post Travel Editor Kyle Wagner, and get some motivation to start travel writing!
Denver Post travel editor Kyle Wagner shares a few simple hometown topics that travel editors like her are buying right now. Here are seven ideas for travel stories you can find in your hometown..
