“You can make a nice little side income from stock photography.” I’d read those words in a few different photography magazines and had mulled over the idea of selling premium photos at rock bottom prices during conversations with friends. Was it worth it? I weighed up the pros and cons carefully. In the end, what […]
“Yesterday, you said tomorrow.” – Nike My mom had five rambunctious daughters. We were a handful, believe me. Her days were filled with taking care of us, the house, and our father. She rarely complained about life though, or how her feet were firmly planted in the muck and mire of the 1950s and 1960s. It […]
Press trips, ah, the holy grail of travel writing. Haven’t we all coveted opportunities to be wined and dined, not only in places a mere drive away, but also in exotic locations that take a boat, plane, train, or combination of all three, to get there? Until I attended Great Escape Publishing’s Ultimate Money-Making Photography […]
“It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ole’ buddy, let’s go exploring….” —Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes No wonder I loved reading this comic strip book to my kids when they were little; perhaps I knew, all those years ago, that words between best friends would someday mirror my own travel writing adventure. Because they do. I […]
I bet every single one of us could make a list (or two) of folks who seem to have success at their fingertips. They touch something, anything, and it turns to gold. How the heck do they do it? Do you think it’s genetics – that success is in their DNA, predetermined at birth? I […]
So, you’ve landed a coveted FAM trip. How exciting! You’re packed and ready to go. Hopefully, you’ve taken the time to review the itinerary your Tourism Representative has put together, both for you and other journalists traveling to said destination. You’re undoubtedly going to have a blast meeting new people, seeing new places, and staying […]
One of the most fun things about FAM trips (aside from free travel) is meeting new people. Not only do you get a whole new perspective when you talk to folks on your travels, but you also build a network of peers and contacts. Even before you’re an established travel writer, think about networking. It […]
Going on a FAM trip is like grabbing the “brass ring” of travel writing. It’s when someone selects YOU to go on a free trip, with activities, transportation, luxury hotel stays, and the best meals… all on the house. FAM trips are designed by PR people or tourism bureaus, with the idea of offering a […]
There’s nothing wrong writing for free, especially when you first start out in your travel writing career. You gain some clips and credibility, which shows editors you’re the real thing – a writer with interesting ideas to share with their readers. Man, was I excited to get by-lines, land covers on travel magazines, and media […]
When I first started pitching stories to travel magazines, hoping to get some by-lines under my belt, it wasn’t with a well-written query about exotic places I’d been. It wasn’t even about cultural destinations around the world that I wanted to visit some day down the road. My queries had to do with places in […]
