Interlude: How to Become a Food and/or Travel Writer

How I changed accidentally changed careers (and my entire life)

Here’s how to become a food and/or travel writer, in broad strokes:

1. Know something about food and/or travel. You don’t need formal education or a degree, but you do need to know what you’re talking about.

2. Find an editor willing to publish you. It doesn’t need to be at some big publication, a blog will do. Everyone starts somewhere! You’ll need “clips,” the term for examples of your published work, to get more work.

3. Network locally. Meet more food and/or travel writers, make friends, and support each other. Try to make professional friends where you live; you’d be amazed how many people are doing (or trying to do) this job. Do not join online networks like Study Hall. They’re incredibly toxic.

4. Improve your writing. Everyone’s work has a quality trajectory. It’s ok if your early work stinks. Do your best to learn more, write as much as you can, and it will get better. Listen to your editor; a good one will support you, and tell you why they’re making their edits.

5. Learn how to talk to publicists. Once you’ve got clips, you’ll start hearing from them. Publicists represent brands (large and small, local, regional, and national) and destinations (local, national, and international) which are looking for media coverage. Often they will have ideas for coverage that are quite good. The relationship between publicists and journalists is symbiotic; you need each other to survive, and you both benefit from the relationship. Be kind and candid, and let them know where your ethical lines are and what your responsibilities are to your publication. Most of them will understand and respect those boundaries.

How I Became a Food and Travel Writer