Travel Writing Boot Camp

WHEN Materials available starting September 18 Discussions start Wednesday, October 2, 9-10 pm ET - Full Schedule WHERE Online PRICE $550 (or $525 for AvantGuild members - details) Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook ALSO STARTS:  Online - 6/19/2013 Notify me when this is offered again.

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20% off if you buy both today: $1,100  $880

Travel Writing Boot Camp  Online - 9/18/2013 (8 sessions)  $550

Travel Writing  Online - 7/9/2013 (8 sessions)  $550

Details

Travel writing is a way to engage with the world and to build a bridge that brings faraway places home. This advanced class for experienced writers examines the romance and realities of this exciting and lucrative market.

You'll consider the various forms of the field, from travel-related news items to personal essays, with the goal of selling these pieces to local, regional, and national publications. Each week, students will be assigned a travel-related article up to 1,000 words, along with an optional pitch letter, and will investigate unfamiliar neighborhoods, seek out experts in the field, and demonstrate the highest levels of research and reporting.

This course generally requires a commitment of at least eight hours a week of outside work.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Use where you live to break into the travel market
• Find and develop your beat
• Make travel a conduit to writing beyond the travel section
• Write perfect pitch letters
• Negotiate with your editor for travel compensation

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete portfolio of eight publishable articles and pitch letters. Assignments will generally include a travel-related news item, a service round-up, a destination piece, a day trip within the region, a historical research piece, an article on the tourism business, and a personal travel essay.

Students who have taken this class have been published in: Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, The Los Angeles Times, Budget Travel, Dwell, Gourmet, Men's Journal, Modern Bride, National Geographic Traveler, Salon.com, Saveur, Time Out New York, New York Magazine, The Boston Globe, Conde Nast Traveler, and The San Fransisco Chronicle.

• Lessons: Learn new skills through written lessons
• Discussions: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

Course Syllabus

Travel Writing Boot Camp (PDF) View a sample syllabus for the class here.

Instructor

Jimmy Im is a travel writer based in Los Angeles. He writes for Fodor's, Travel Channel, Out, Passport, Premiere Traveler, and BlackBook. Jimmy has held editorial positions at Business Traveler, BlackBook, and Travel Savvy magazines.

He has also written for in-flight magazines, fashion magazines, and news outlets. Jimmy hosted Confessions of a Travel Writer on the Travel Channel and travel segments for LOGO (MTV Networks). He is the cofounder of OutEscapes.com and appears regularly on morning news shows as a travel expert.

Jimmy Im's Courses
Travel Writing Boot Camp – (Starts June 19)
Travel Writing Boot Camp – (Starts September 18)

Testimonials

Jimmy is open and honest about the industry. He's eager to answer questions and enthusiastic about writing. He offers great feedback and pointers for breaking into travel writing! -- Jessica Brent

"Jimmy is a great instructor. He provided excellent feedback aimed at getting students' work published and shared his extensive knowledge about travel writing and what it takes to succeed in the field." -- Josh Lewis