| Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > Introduction to Travel Writing |
![[Send course]](/images_v3/icon/sm_mail.gif "Send this course to a friend"){kind=icon}
Introduction to Travel Writing
Course DetailsTravel the world and get paid for it? Sounds too good, but you can do it simply by building a base as a freelance travel writer. Whether a long weekend in Mendocino or a long walk across Nepal, there's a market out there for your stories, and a proven path for successful travel writers to follow. With a sense of adventure, an open mind, an eye for the offbeat and some basic writing skills, you're well on your way toward getting your travel pieces published—and having editors chase you down with repeat gigs! In Introduction to Travel Writing, we'll reveal all you'll need to successfully break into the travel publishing world. This informative, engaging seminar will reveal the inner workings of the field, showing how travel editors think and what they want from their writers. We'll detail road-tested tips on ways to break in, diagram the many different styles of travel writing, survey the market (from magazines to newspapers, guidebooks to blogs), study the critical role of pitch letters, analyze key components to successful travel writing, and show a successful formula for turning your travel journals (and photos!) into sellable work. So pack your bags for the glamorous life, whether that's poolside mai tais at boutique hotels or chicken-packed buses bouncing along Andean backroads. In this seminar, you can expect to learn:
| ||
Instructor BioJay Cooke's Courses Advanced Travel Writing – San Francisco
Breaking into Travel Writing – San Francisco (Seminar on September 13)
Intro to Travel Writing – (Class starts September 24)  His writing and commentary has been featured in National Geographic Traveler, Business Traveler, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Bay-Guardian, Cooking Light, Wired, Rick Steves Radio, Traveler's Tales, Publishers Weekly, The New York Times and others. Jay is the founder and CEO of OutwesterMedia, a travel content and media consultancy firm. He blogs on the world of travel at www.outwester.com. Testimonials Jay Cooke is an engaging and energetic teacher who really knows his stuff. He is eager to share his vast wealth of knowledge with his students. The class gave me both the tools and the kick in the pants I needed to get out there and start my freelance career. -- David Hennessy"I made my tuition back plus a little more. I sold my homework assignment from week 3 before the course ended, and I sold two other pieces that I brainstormed while doing Jay's optional homework assignments. This course did three things for me: (1) Taught me the basics of travel writing; (2) Got my creativity flowing; (3) Provided highly valuable feedback on my work, including suggestions about where and how to pitch." -- Genevive Bjorn "Jay was amazing! The class was extremely informative and fun. He is a fabulous teacher with tons of personality, enthusiasm and, of course, practical knowledge. The class was a very comprehensive intro that provides a broad perspective on the industry, as well as very specific tips. The handout is rich with info -- and so much was covered in a short amount of time. Tons was covered and it was the best $65 and 3 hours I have spent in recent memory." -- Margaret Huang, Director, Atomic Public Relations "Jay Cooke's travel-writing seminar was first rate. His energy and humor were infectious, but even better was his useful information for novice as well as experienced travel writers. He shared his knowledge, and never once talked down to the class--even those who were exploring travel writing for the first time." -- Tom Honig, executive editor, Santa Cruz Sentinel "Jay is truly an inspirational speaker. Not only does he have practical experience, but he's also willing to share the secrets of the trade. It was surprising how much useful information can be acquired in such a short amount of time. I live six hours away from San Francisco, and I'd be happy to drive that distance again for an opportunity to attend one of his classes." -- Betsy Husband, freelance writer/photographer "Jay teaches what he knows -- and he knows a lot. His seminar is loaded with practical insight and precious nuggets of advice that will help launch a freelance career. Highly recommended." -- Michael Coren, freelancer, former CNN.com science editor "Jay Cooke's class, Advanced Travel Writing, rocked. His teaching style allowed everyone in the class to feel comfortable and relaxed, which in turn, had us excited about learning as much as we could. His tips were great, the exercises productive, and we all left the class psyched and ready to get out there and start pitching, writing and traveling. -- Lisa Cecconi "I've been working as a travel writer for several years but wanted to do this class to see how others approach the job and validate my own methods. I learned more than I expected! I'm now thinking differently about my work and have implemented what I learned from the course. I've already received 4 commissions from ideas generated in the class. This course exceeded my expectations." -- C Edrich |
*
Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of
being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program.
For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles
and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and
discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance
Marketplace)! Click here to join now.
