Intro to Travel Writing

WHEN 8 weeks, April 2 - May 28 Chats Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info

Course Details

Travel the world and get paid for it? Yes, it's true! 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 that successful travel writers follow. In this course, you'll learn how to grow your freelance writing career by mastering one of its most adaptable, engaging genres: travel. Travel writing is a conduit to many parallel genres, from food to art, politics to technology, and the skills and experience you'll gain covering travel can be applied to all your writings. In class one, we'll fully assess the travel writing market (magazines and newspapers, guidebooks and more) and set individual writing agendas for the duration of class. In following weeks we'll reveal the inner workings of the field, showing how travel editors think and what they want from their writers. We'll diagram the many different styles of travel writing, study the critical role of pitch letters, analyze key components to strong travel writing and show how and why you can use travel writing as a springboard to other genres. Throughout class we'll extensively workshop your pitches and articles, and you'll graduate with a series of solid pieces ready for you to sell. 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 class, you can expect to learn:

• How to break into travel writing
• The rules of reporting, interviewing, finding sources, and local color
• What kinds of stories make good journalism
• What travel editors look for, and how to get them to notice you
• Where to find story ideas in any place, and how to pitch them successfully
• What to do when you get to your destination
• How to turn one trip into dozens of sellable story ideas
• Where to pitch travel articles besides travel publications

By the end of class, students can expect to have:
Two salable pieces and pitch letters to match (and the know-how to send them out!)

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Related Courses

Instructor Bio

Jay Cooke's Courses

Jay Cooke is commissioning editor (US East) for Lonely Planet, where he develops and manages 15+ travel guides, writes and edits print and digital content, creates and develops partner content and manages the syndicated Travels with Lonely Planet column.

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 is engaging and 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 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." -- Genevive Bjorn

"If you have the slightest interest in being a travel writer, understanding editors' expectations, and learning the business side of writing while receiving this information in an interesting format laced with humor and true story experiences, then this is your class and Jay is the right instructor for you." -- Christy Rey

"Jay explained the most reasonable method and effective schedule for pitching stories I've heard to date. He was knowledgeable about both the travel industry and market, as well as travel media and outlet opportunities. Well done!" -- Mary Lee Shalvoy

"Jay is a fabulous teacher with tons of personality, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge. The class provides a broad perspective on the industry, as well as very specific tips." -- Margaret Huang, director, Atomic Public Relations

"I appreciated Jay's superb business smarts and willingness to share the inside tips and realities. His class had very well-organized lessons, judicious critiques, and everything geared toward the goal of becoming a professional writer. I'd consider anything I wrote successful if it passed muster with Jay." -- Sara Miller

"Jay's energy and humor were infectious. 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 willing to share the secrets of the trade. 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

"Jay teaches what he knows -- and he knows a lot. His class is loaded with practical insight and precious nuggets of advice that will help launch a freelance career." -- Michael Coren, former CNN.com science editor

"Jay's 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 already received 4 commissions from ideas generated in the class. This course exceeded my expectations." -- C. Edrich

"Jay is a great instructor with a tremendous amount of experience. He was encouraging, patient, and really organized in his approach. I hope to take another class with him!" -- Roopika Saran

"Jay's charisma, knowledge of the travel industry, and ability to direct students to helpful information for their careers is superior to the common teacher out there." -- Michael Margherita