How do you become a better travel writer?

There’s no better way to improve your travel craft than reading travel writing content in your niche.

In my case, I devour travel guides in order to find ways of improving the way I write and present my travel guide content. And to become a better travel writer on my  personal travel blog Roving Jay (where I write about my nomadic adventures) I read travel writing articles from other influencers and subject matter experts in the travel writing niche to improve my skills.

I decided it was time to start sharing the articles I found the most useful. I hope you get as much out of these articles as I did.

Here’s the March 2019 Roundup

New Travel Writing Books

Specialist Travel Publishers Bradt Guides released a new book “The Travel Writer’s Way” on March 20th 2019. Whether you want to be the next Bill Bryson, set up a brilliant blog or simply make the best of your travel journal, this book will lead you along the travel writer’s way. It includes:

• Advice from 40 of the world’s top travel-writing experts
• Practical, 12-step programme to improve your writing
• How to publish and market your work as blogs, books or articles

It was written by Jonathan Lorie who has been writing travel since 1999, first as the Editor of Traveller magazine, and now for national newspapers and magazines. In 2004 he set up Travellers’ Tales, Britain’s leading training agency for travel writers and photographers, followed by the Travellers’ Tales Festival, which brings together the world’s greatest travel writers and photographers at the Royal Geographical Society in London. View the book on Amazon.com.

Travel Writing Articles

Swearing in travel writing: when is it acceptable?

If you’re in a quandary about whether you should include swear words in your travel writing, here’s an article by Mark Horrell (travel writer and author). In the course of writing my first book Seven Steps from Snowdon to Everest a few years ago, he asked his 74-year-old father to beta read it and provide feedback prior to publication. This article is about his dads feedback and the impact it had on Mark’s published version of his book.

The 5 biggest mistakes made by novice travel writers

Travel writing is a dream job that can help you quit your job and support your nomadic spirit, if you do it right. Jonathan Lorie, author of the Travel Writer’s Way (listed above) shares the top 5 mistakes that could stand in your way of becoming an engaging and successful travel writer. In this Wanderlust article, Jonathan provides solutions for each of these mistakes. Well worth a read, not just for novice travel writers, but season writers who have got into bad habits.

The Best Travel Writer Podcasts (2019)

Podcast platform PlayerFM maintain a list of the best travel writer podcasts available on their platform. As well as organizing the podcasts by popularity, they also indicate how frequently the podcast is broadcast. As somebody who has recently launched their own travel writing and self-publishing podcast, I’ve started to listen to more podcasts in my niche to pick up broadcasting and presenting tips.

BITW 140: Building Authority as a New Blogger & Travel Photography Tips with Gary Arndt (Part 2)

In part two of the Break Into Travel Writing podcast, Alexa interview awarding winning blogger and travel photographer, Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere. The chat about how to handle FOMO (fear of missing out), the reality of just starting out as a blogger, and why if you have an audience the money will find you. Break Into Travel Writing is a podcast that shares interviews with top travel writers, travel photographers, travel bloggers, travel podcasters, travel filmmakers and travel PR reps, to inspire you to start your travel writing career. If you want to be considered as a guest on their podcast you can find out what topics they’re looking for here.

Financial Case Study: Fiona Harper, Freelance Travel Writing

Nora Dunn (better known as the Professional Hobo) is a nomad with an expertise in personal finance. She’s hosting a Financial Case Study series of articles that explores the various careers of travel writers. In this article she features Fiona Harper, shares how she supports her lifestyle by travel writing. (Nora also appeared in my author interview series on this website).

Did you discover a useful or inspiring travel writing article in March? Please share the link below. Anything to do with travel writing is fair game.