EP 6: How to Write and Pitch a Personal Travel Essay That Gets Published

EP 6: How to Write and Pitch a Personal Travel Essay That Gets Published

Susan Reoch [https://www.susanreoch.com/] is a UX copywriter who went to Nepal with her dad and came home with a story she couldn't stop thinking about. She had no travel writing bylines. She didn't even know what a personal essay was. And yet six months later, her piece was published the most widely read masthead in Australia. In this episode, Susan and I walk through exactly how it happened: the trip, the angle that almost didn't make it, the early draft that needed a complete overhaul, and the moment she sent me the vomit emoji when the editor said yes. If you've ever wondered whether a personal essay could be your way into travel writing (spoiler: it might be the smartest move you make), this one's for you. 📖 Read Susan's published essay here [https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/i-left-my-husband-and-kids-at-home-to-go-trekking-with-my-dad-it-changed-our-relationship-20251120-p5nh0s.html] 🎓 The Travel Writer Accelerator opens for applications soon - find out more here. [https://thefreelancersyear.com/courses-resources/ttwa-apply/] Love the show? I would be so grateful if you shared it with a fellow writer or left a review 🙏🏻

EP 5: How to Navigate Rejection (and Silence) From Editors

That feeling when an editor doesn't reply to your pitch? We need to talk about it. This week on Inside Travel Writing we're unpacking why silence and rejection erode confidence for so many writers... and how to stop letting it with super practical advice (that really works). Sign up to get weekly email newsletters all about travel writing here. [https://thefreelancersyear.com/] Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review 🙏🏻 See how aspiring travel writers have landed commissions with Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, The Sydney Morning Herald and more here. [https://thefreelancersyear.com/courses-resources/travel-writing-course/] Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @thefreelancersyear [https://www.instagram.com/thefreelancersyear.com] Happy writing + travelling! - Lindy

EP 4: The Easiest (and Smartest) Way to Break into Travel Writing

This week’s episode of Inside Travel Writing is all about the smartest (and easiest) way to break into travel writing - especially if you don’t have bylines yet. If you’ve been wondering how to land your first commission and get published without constantly traveling or having a huge online presence, this episode breaks down what actually matters and the simple steps to start. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review 🙏🏻 See how aspiring travel writers have landed commissions with Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, The Sydney Morning Herald and more here. [https://thefreelancersyear.com/courses-resources/travel-writing-course/] Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @thefreelancersyear [https://www.instagram.com/thefreelancersyear.com] Happy writing + travelling! - Lindy

EP 3: Why You're Not Getting Invited on Press Trips (And How to Fix It)

This week's episode of Inside Travel Writing is all about the one thing that will determine whether you ever get invited on a press trip (and it's probably not what you think). If your inbox is quiet and the invitations just aren't coming, there's usually a very specific reason why. In this episode, we get into what that reason actually is and the practical steps to change it. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit www.thefreelancersyear.com [https://thefreelancersyear.com/] Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @thefreelancersyear Happy writing + travelling! - Lindy

EP 2: Travel Writing Without Constant Travel

This week's episode of Inside Travel Writing tackles one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry: that you need to be constantly on the road to build a travel writing career. Host Lindy Alexander (a self-described homebody who burnt out from over-traveling) makes the case that the key to travel writing isn't the destination, it's your ability to find stories. Lindy uses her own small regional town as a case study, walking through the surprising range of pitchable stories hiding in a place she considers entirely ordinary. She also shares a practical search strategy for scoping out what's already been written about a destination (and how to find the gaps worth pitching). If you have family or work commitments, a body that's done with long-haul travel, or simply prefer sleeping in your own bed, this episode is for you. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit www.thefreelancersyear.com [https://thefreelancersyear.com/] Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @thefreelancersyear Happy writing + travelling! - Lindy