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Get Your Articles Published: Travel writing

 

by Lesley Bown and Ann Gawthorpe

Travel writing is probably one of the more glamorous forms of writing for magazines and also one of the more difficult to break into.

There are basically two ways of getting published: being commissioned and writing on spec. As a newcomer, you are unlikely to get an all-expenses-paid commission, but you may get one to write a story at your own expense, which at least means you will help to defray the cost of your holiday.

The second way, writing on spec, means you will have to write your story first and find an outlet for it. However this is a competitive market and you will need to come up with something innovative. Remember, travel writing doesn’t have to be about exotic locations, you could come up with a rip-roaring article about your home town, provided you give it a unique twist.

Make sure you include plenty of background detail and relevant facts and figures and stick to the basic principles of good writing. Hone your skills by writing for free – there are outlets on the internet which publish articles.

Finally, get a good camera and learn to take brilliant pictures. Many magazines won’t accept articles unless they are illustrated with top quality photos.


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