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On the Road: Breaking into Travel Writing

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On the Road: Breaking into Travel Writing

WHEN
Monday, September 11
6:30-9:30 pm

WHERE
mb classrooms
494 Broadway
(Spring & Broome)
New York, NY 10012

WHO
Ideal for any beginner journalist or writer who has considered a career in travel writing

PRICE
$65 ($50 for )
more info

Course Details

Every square foot of Earth is a possible topic for a travel article. But how do you write them, sell them, and get assignments? And how do you discover the great untold place that only you know about -- and then convince a publication to send you there? If you've ever wanted to write about the landscape outside your window or on the other side of the globe, this seminar may be for you.

In this seminar, you will learn:

  • How to recognize ten different ways of spinning the same travel story
  • The most important elements of any travel article
  • Ways of increasing your chances of having travel articles assigned to you
  • The tools of the trade, including those specific to travel-writing
  • The advantages and disadvantages of pegs
  • How to find travel publications to buy your work, and how to pitch to them successfully

Instructor Bio

James Sturz's Courses

Breaking Into Travel Writing – New York (Seminar on February 4)
Travel Writing Boot Camp – New York (Class starts March 17)

James Sturz
James Sturz spent three years on staff at Vanity Fair. In addition to his novel Sasso, he has written for more than 70 newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, International Herald Tribune, The New Republic, The New York Observer, The Boston Globe, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Adventure, Caribbean Travel & Life, Men's Health, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, Glamour, Marie Claire, Redbook, and Saveur. James has also served as a guest editor for the adventure magazine Blue and as a contributing editor for Manhattan File and Lexus magazines. His journalism has also been anthologized in the sociology textbook Human Sexuality. James has appeared on Inside Edition, Real Personal, The Book Show, and Good Day New York. Pieces he wrote are included in the anthologies Italy: The Best Travel Writing from The New York Times and Best Food Writing 2007.

Testimonials


Thanks to James, I now know the proper way to propose stories. He provided great comments on my articles and gave me the impetus to submit my ideas for publication. -- Kathleen Kent, freelance publicist

"After taking James' class I felt that I could take my writing to the next level. Since completing the class I have landed travel pieces in The New York Times, Out Traveler, Flaunt, Clear, and Genre and logoonline.com. -- Cator Sparks

"James is a great instructor. He's a smart, well-spoken guy who knows what he's talking about and can answer your questions. This was by far the best class of its kind that I've taken. " -- St. John Frizell, copy director, Bon Appetit

"I grabbed a last-minute flight from Portland, Maine, so I could attend. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. James clinched the aspects of the business that I thought I knew, and opened my eyes to all that I did not know." -- Pat Friedman

"James is fantastic. If you want to become a travel writer, consider this course your first journey." -- Ethan Todras-Whitehill

"Since James' class, I've been assigned travel stories for Plenty, Nymag.com and Experience Curacao. James' class didn't just make me a better travel writer. It made me a better writer, period." -- Jennifer van der Kwast

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