Essentials of Travel Writing

Travel writing is about more than just destinations. Now you can write travel articles without setting foot on a plane or gas pedal. Through this workshop, you will write one 1,500-3,000 word article and a query letter that are ready to submit for potential publication.

Course level:  Beginner / Intermediate

Required Book:  Travel Writing by L. Peat O’Neil

Workshop Length:  6 weeks

Tuition:  $250.00 ($225 for VIP)

Start Date: View Essentials of Travel Writing Course Schedule

Course Structure
The workshop will consist of six one-week sessions. Each session will include online lectures (text based) and associated textbook reading assignments, along with a writing assignment to be submitted to the instructor for private review. In addition, material will be posted for group review and feedback. Throughout the workshop you’ll be able to participate in asynchronous lecture discussions and be encouraged to take advantage of ongoing informal discussions and posted self-directed writing and creativity exercises. (1.2 CEUs)

You will learn:

  • The basics of the travel field – markets, material, income potential, and competition.
  • Article structure, and how to choose a good focus and a fresh angle.
  • How outlining can help you build your article – beginning, middle and end.
  • How to integrate interviews, research and photography to give your article credibility.
  • How to submit your query and suggest possible side bars.

Who should take this course:

  • Freelancers that want to explore the topic of travel writing and learn the current trends in the marketplace
  • Article writers who want to focus on the popular and profitable niche of travel writing
  • Writers who want a Published Author to help them improve and hone their travel writing skills

Essentials of Travel Writing Workshop

Course Outline

Session One: Markets and Focus

  • Include a brief overview of the travel field—markets, material, income potential, and competition.
  • Examples of destination as well as topical service-oriented articles
  • Article structure, and how to choose a good focus and find a fresh angle.

Writing Assignment: 1) Choose two subjects, one a destination and the other a topic that you can research at home without flying, cruising or driving somewhere. 2) Write brief summaries, around 250 words each, about each article.

Session Two: The Outline And Lead

  • Using an outline to frame your article
  • Potential elements to include in outlines
  • Moving from outline to lead, body, and ending;
  • Types of attention-gathering leads
  • Developing a theme graph

Writing Assignment: Choose one of the two topics from Session One. Write an outline of around 250 words, and the lead for this article (up to 250 words).

Session Three: The Body Of The Article

  • Evoking the essence of a destination
  • Selecting details
  • Providing pointers based on your experiences
  • Using quotes and historic material
  • Devising a strong ending

Writing Assignment: Write the opening of one article, up to 1,500 words.

Session Four: Interviews, Research and Photography

  • Setting up and conducting interviews
  • Conducting research before, during, and after trips
  • Taking good travel photos
  • Writing good captions for your photos

Writing Assignment: 1) Write the second half of your article, up to 1,500 words. 2) Submit a list of five questions you would ask a source for your article. 3) Submit captions for at least two photos you plan to use with your article.

Session Five: Query Letters and Sidebars

  • Writing an effective query letter
  • Suggesting possible sidebars

Writing Assignment: 1) Write a query of 250-300 words for your article to a magazine of choice. 2) Write a brief query of around 100 words for a possible sidebar to your article.

Session Six: Polishing Your Article/Query; Second Article Outline/Lead

  • Making sure your article is ready for submission
  • Detecting and handling possible holes in your article
  • Double-checking facts
  • Proofreading
  • Keeping records

Writing Assignment: 1) Submit the final, finished article, approximately 1,500-3,000 words, and the final version of your query letter. 2) Submit an outline and lead for the second article you selected (up to 500 words each).