WHEN 8 weeks, September 24 - December 3 Chats Wednesdays, 10-11 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro FREE AVANTGUILD MEMBERSHIP Enroll in this class by August 31 and join AvantGuild for free. Click here for details. 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 will 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, you will 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 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 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