Resources for Aspiring Travel Writers
Success in travel writing isn’t just about talent—it’s about continuous learning, persistence, and having the right tools. Whether you’re looking for books, courses, templates, or funding opportunities, this section provides everything you need to grow your travel writing career.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Recommended books, courses, and tools
- List of travel writing competitions and grants
- Template pitches and sample articles
Recommended Books, Courses & Tools
- Best Books on Travel Writing
Want to master the art of travel storytelling? These books will help you refine your craft and get published:
- On Writing Well – William Zinsser (Must-read for clear, engaging writing)
- Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Writing – Don George (Great for beginners & professionals alike)
- Vagabonding – Rolf Potts (Inspiration for long-term travel and storytelling)
- The Art of Travel – Alain de Botton (Philosophical take on why we travel)
- Write Your Way Around The World – Laura McVeigh (Complete road map, from craft to how to build a portfolio career)
2. Classic & Contemporary Travel Writing
Prefer to immerse in a travel writing journey? Here’s a list I’ve curated of some of my favourite travel writers, both classic and contemporary, for some reading inspiration for you:
Pico Iyer – The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere
A profound meditation on travel, stillness, and the inner journey. Iyer’s lyrical writing challenges the notion that travel is only about movement—it can also be about deep reflection.
Colin Thubron – Shadow of the Silk Road
A beautifully written exploration of the ancient Silk Road, rich with historical depth and personal encounters that bring the past and present together in vivid prose.
Jan Morris – Venice
One of the greatest city portraits ever written. Morris captures the essence of Venice—its history, charm, and decay—with poetic elegance and deep historical insight.
Dervla Murphy – Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle
A fearless and inspiring journey of solo travel, Murphy’s accounts are filled with adventure, cultural observations, and a fierce independent spirit.
Patrick Leigh Fermor – A Time of Gifts
The first in his trilogy recounting his youthful walk across Europe in the 1930s. Fermor’s writing is evocative, erudite, and full of historical and literary depth.
Paul Theroux – The Great Railway Bazaar
A pioneering travel book that blends sharp, sometimes cynical humor with keen observations on culture and human nature, all framed by an epic train journey.
Freya Stark – The Valley of the Assassins
A daring travelogue detailing Stark’s explorations in the Middle East, offering rich descriptions of landscapes and deeply personal encounters with the people she meets.
Ryszard Kapuściński – The Shadow of the Sun
A journalist’s account of Africa over decades, written with sharp political insight and poetic storytelling that brings the continent’s complexities to life.
Peter Matthiessen – The Snow Leopard
A spiritual and deeply personal journey through the Himalayas in search of a rare snow leopard, blending adventure with philosophical and ecological musings.
William Dalrymple – In Xanadu: A Quest
A youthful, exuberant retracing of Marco Polo’s journey, filled with humour, historical depth, and sharp cultural observations.
Robert Macfarlane – The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
A poetic meditation on walking, landscape, and history, blending personal journey with cultural and ecological insights.
Sara Wheeler – Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica
A stunning portrait of Antarctica’s beauty and challenges, blending history, science, and personal experience into an engaging narrative.
Elizabeth Gilbert – Eat, Pray, Love
While part memoir, this book’s travel writing is engaging and deeply personal, exploring the transformative power of journeys through Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Top Tip: Start by reading a variety of travel books to develop your own unique voice.
3. Best Online Courses for Travel Writers
Want to sharpen your skills? These courses cover everything from storytelling to getting published:
- MatadorU – Travel Writing Course (Highly regarded, includes mentorship)
- The Travel Writing Workshop – Don George (via Udemy) (Learn from a Lonely Planet veteran)
- Freelance Writing Essentials – The Writer’s Bureau (Great for building a writing business)
- The Complete Travel Writing Course – Travel Writers Exchange (Practical strategies for getting paid)
👩🏼🏫 Join me for 1-1 or group coaching on travel writing to turn your passion for travel into a paid career. Sign up to the wait list here for more details.
Top Tip: If you’re new, start with free courses on Skillshare or Coursera before investing in premium ones.
4. Essential Tools for Travel Writers
- Scrivener – Best for long-form travel writing & book projects.
- Google Docs – Cloud-based writing & collaboration.
- Grammarly – Fixes grammar & improves clarity.
- Trello/Notion – Organizes articles, pitches, and deadlines.
- Hemingway App – Helps simplify and strengthen your writing.
- Evernote – A great notebook for capturing travel ideas.
- Canva – Creates graphics for articles, social media, and blogs.
Top Tip: Keep a digital notebook (Evernote or Notion) to jot down story ideas, observations, and pitches on the go, or I use small unlined notebooks that are easy to put in a pocket and carry with me for capturing ideas, sketches, names, phrases, impressions as I travel. I’ll then take a photo of the notes and save it digitally for future reference.
Travel Writing Competitions & Grants
Winning a travel writing competition or securing a grant can help boost your career and get your work in front of editors.
1. Travel Writing Competitions
Bradt Travel Writing Competition – One of the most respected travel writing contests.
The Telegraph Travel Writing Competition – Open to unpublished writers.
Wanderlust Travel Writing Competition – Prize includes publication & mentorship.
Nat Geo Traveller Writing Contest – Prestigious, but highly competitive.
Roads & Kingdoms Travel Writing Award – Focuses on deep cultural storytelling.
Top Tip: Study past winning entries to understand what judges are looking for.
2. Travel Writing Grants & Fellowships
The Glimpse Correspondents Program (National Geographic) – Funding & mentorship for emerging writers.
The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing – Award for exceptional travel/life writing.
The Key West Literary Seminar’s Emerging Writer Award – Travel-related nonfiction grants.
The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Awards – Recognises excellence in travel journalism.
Top Tip: Some grants require a project proposal—prepare a compelling pitch before applying!
Template Pitches & Sample Articles
1. Pitch Templates for Editors
Not sure how to pitch a travel story? Here’s a proven format that works:
Subject Line: Pitch: [Story Title] – [Destination/Theme]
Dear [Editor’s Name],
I hope you’re well. I’d love to pitch you a travel feature idea for [Publication Name].
My story, “[Title]”, explores [Unique Angle]. Unlike typical stories on [Destination], this piece delves into [Why It’s Different/Timely].
Key details:
Word Count: [Approximate words]
Similar Recent Stories: [Show you understand their style]
Why It’s a Good Fit: [Mention audience relevance]
I’ve been published in [List of Previous Publications], and I can provide high-quality images if needed. Would you be open to this idea?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Best,
[Your Name]
Top Tip: Keep it short, professional, and personalised—never send generic pitches!
2. Sample Travel Article Titles
Need inspiration for story angles? Check out these sample travel titles that use strong storytelling techniques:
“The Quiet Magic of Kyoto’s Streets” – (Great for descriptive writing)
“A 24-Hour Journey on the Orient Express” – (Narrative-driven travel feature)
“The Best Hidden Cafés in Istanbul” – (Listicle-style article)
“How I Found Home in a Spanish Village” – (Personal travel essay)
Top Tip: Study different styles of travel writing to find what resonates with you.
For analysis of top travel articles, join my monthly newsletter Write Your Way Around the World where I break down the art of travel writing, along with sharing travel writing tips for building your dream writing career.
Your Next Steps
- Read one of the recommended travel writing books.
- Try a free online course to improve your skills.
- Apply for a travel writing competition or grant.
- Use the pitch template to send your first (or next) story idea to an editor.
Pre-order Write Your Way Around the World for your complete road map to turning your passion for travel into a paid career.