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The Travel Writer's Way: Turn Your Travels into Stories
Packed with practical advice, this innovative and inspiring book is perfect for anyone who seeks to improve their travel writing. Expert author Jonathan Lorie shares 20 years' experience as a travel magazine editor, travel writer for national newspapers and magazines, and teacher of travel writing courses around the world to create the ultimate guide for travellers who want to turn their journeys into stories, whether for pleasure or for publication, for friends or for media. The result is an entertaining and illuminating way in to writing travel, whatever your level or purpose.This unique, interactive guide – from specialist travel publisher Bradt Travel Guides - offers a 12-step programme for developing your travel writing through enjoyable exercises and expert tuition, backed up with a comprehensive overview of how to publish your work as blogs, books or articles. Interviews with today's finest travel writers and editors offer the insiders' view, while top tips and themed booklists give each topic real depth.Whether you're a first-time writer or experienced hand, The Travel Writer's Way is the essential guide.
- GenresTravelWritingNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2019
22 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 21, 2020
I am so surprised to see that no one has properly reviewed this book yet. I found this at a bookstore. Though I only purchase books after doing a thorough background check on Amazon and Goodreads, there were no reviews available online, and yet this book immediately sold itself to me. If William Dalrymple and Paul Theroux have been interviewed for this book, and their advice is framed on these pages, there is no way that this book won't be a gem. And what a gem it is.
The author's advice stands out among the information he has gathered from many of the most famous travel writers. The chapters are beautifully organized with extremely helpful information, even to veteran writers like me, and have great exercises to grow as a writer. The book also covers information on monetizing your travel writing career whether through blogging, writing books, or selling products.
I highly recommend this book to all travel writers, beginner or advanced. It's worth every penny!
The author's advice stands out among the information he has gathered from many of the most famous travel writers. The chapters are beautifully organized with extremely helpful information, even to veteran writers like me, and have great exercises to grow as a writer. The book also covers information on monetizing your travel writing career whether through blogging, writing books, or selling products.
I highly recommend this book to all travel writers, beginner or advanced. It's worth every penny!
October 30, 2020
Really good advice and helpful resource material as well as good quotes from the experts.
July 15, 2024
Practical and digestible resource book for seasoned and budding travel writers. Lorie's voice is friendly and encouraging. As I am drafting my travel memoir, this is gold dust and such a perfect companion that offers fantastic advice alongside exercises to get your creative juices flowing.
Why it isn't a 5 star for me: The entire book samples and interviews predominantly male writers, and only references or includes female voices rarely. This book came out in 2019 so the author could have done a bit more research and read more travel books by women to then recommend and praise their work as well.
There was one particular writer he interviewed who mentioned, in all his years of travel he's felt safe when meeting strangers, most people just want to help. Which as a whole is probably true for a male traveller, but he looks at solo travel through the ignorance of male priviledge. For women, even in our own neighbourhood we don't have that kind of luxury to be so casual. We're always on guard even with the most friendliest of faces, in fear we could be kidnapped or worse. It would have been good to have an interview with a female solo travel writer to ask her the same questions and I'm sure you'd get a different answer to be savy with possible dangerous men lurking in alleys or ready to drag you in a 'taxi'. Women don't have that casual luxury to believe in the good intentions of strangers who treat women different in their own cultures, so I felt there was an air of smugness here from someone who has no idea of reality beyond himself.
Because this book lacked equality of female voices and female pieces of work, here are some I recommend:
Marram by Leonie Charlton-- Travel memoir about the wilds of Scotland
The Puma Years by Laura Coleman--Travel memoir about South America and volunteering in a run down big cat sanctuary, rescuing pumas and other animals from deforestation.
Mermaid Singing by Charmain Clift--- Travel memoir about living on a Greek island
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes-- Travel memoir about living in Tuscany (which became a film by the way, non of the male writers achieved this success so she should have gotten a mention)
Devotion by Patti Smith-- Short Travelogue about France and devotion for writing
Bicycling with Butterflies by Sarah Dykman-- Travel/Nature memoir about following the migration of the monarch butterfly
The Land where Lemons Grow by Helena Atlee--Travel memoir across Italy and Sicily to explore their history of growing citrus fruits
Then Again by Irma Kurtz-- Travel memoir of a Jewish woman catching train journeys of her youth back to places in Europe
Love Among the Butterflies by Margaret Fountaine-- Victorian woman's diaries of her travels in a time where men went on expeditions and women were supposed to stay home. A few women like her pioneered the way for women today to have the same freedom as men.
Men have dominated most things and it is a shame to me that a travel book that came out in 2019 still can't find balance by including exceptional female voices and adventurers.
That was the only let down for me, perhaps one day a newer edition may make those changes and create a bit more balance and respect for women travellers who've had to work harder to even be allowed to travel, let alone be taken seriously as a travel writer among a genre dominated by men.
Why it isn't a 5 star for me: The entire book samples and interviews predominantly male writers, and only references or includes female voices rarely. This book came out in 2019 so the author could have done a bit more research and read more travel books by women to then recommend and praise their work as well.
There was one particular writer he interviewed who mentioned, in all his years of travel he's felt safe when meeting strangers, most people just want to help. Which as a whole is probably true for a male traveller, but he looks at solo travel through the ignorance of male priviledge. For women, even in our own neighbourhood we don't have that kind of luxury to be so casual. We're always on guard even with the most friendliest of faces, in fear we could be kidnapped or worse. It would have been good to have an interview with a female solo travel writer to ask her the same questions and I'm sure you'd get a different answer to be savy with possible dangerous men lurking in alleys or ready to drag you in a 'taxi'. Women don't have that casual luxury to believe in the good intentions of strangers who treat women different in their own cultures, so I felt there was an air of smugness here from someone who has no idea of reality beyond himself.
Because this book lacked equality of female voices and female pieces of work, here are some I recommend:
Marram by Leonie Charlton-- Travel memoir about the wilds of Scotland
The Puma Years by Laura Coleman--Travel memoir about South America and volunteering in a run down big cat sanctuary, rescuing pumas and other animals from deforestation.
Mermaid Singing by Charmain Clift--- Travel memoir about living on a Greek island
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes-- Travel memoir about living in Tuscany (which became a film by the way, non of the male writers achieved this success so she should have gotten a mention)
Devotion by Patti Smith-- Short Travelogue about France and devotion for writing
Bicycling with Butterflies by Sarah Dykman-- Travel/Nature memoir about following the migration of the monarch butterfly
The Land where Lemons Grow by Helena Atlee--Travel memoir across Italy and Sicily to explore their history of growing citrus fruits
Then Again by Irma Kurtz-- Travel memoir of a Jewish woman catching train journeys of her youth back to places in Europe
Love Among the Butterflies by Margaret Fountaine-- Victorian woman's diaries of her travels in a time where men went on expeditions and women were supposed to stay home. A few women like her pioneered the way for women today to have the same freedom as men.
Men have dominated most things and it is a shame to me that a travel book that came out in 2019 still can't find balance by including exceptional female voices and adventurers.
That was the only let down for me, perhaps one day a newer edition may make those changes and create a bit more balance and respect for women travellers who've had to work harder to even be allowed to travel, let alone be taken seriously as a travel writer among a genre dominated by men.
February 21, 2025
Jonathan Lorie’s The Travel Writer’s Way is an essential guide for aspiring travel writers looking to transform their experiences into compelling narratives. Blending practical advice with inspiring case studies, Lorie draws on decades of experience as a travel journalist and editor to break down the craft of travel writing. More than just a guide on writing technique, the book offers a roadmap for approaching travel with a writer’s eye, observing, recording, and shaping experiences into stories that resonate with readers.
Whether you’re a blogger, a memoirist, or an aspiring travel journalist, The Travel Writer’s Way provides a step-by-step approach to writing vivid, engaging travel stories. Lorie’s insights are particularly useful for those looking to blend personal reflection with cultural exploration, making this an excellent resource for writers working on travel memoirs. Five key lessons:
Experience Travel Differently: Lorie encourages writers to move beyond being passive observers. Good travel writing starts with immersion, engaging with locals, exploring lesser-known areas, and embracing moments of spontaneity. The best travel stories aren’t just about places, but about the connections made along the way.
Find Your Narrative Thread: Great travel writing isn’t just a list of places visited, it tells a story. Lorie stresses the importance of structure, whether it’s a journey of personal discovery, an adventure filled with obstacles, or an exploration of a destination’s deeper history and culture. A good travel story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, just like a novel.
Capture the Details That Matter: Sensory detail is the key to transporting readers. Lorie advises writers to take detailed notes, focusing on the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions that define a place. He also emphasizes the power of strong verbs and precise language to bring scenes to life.
Master the Art of Reflection: Travel writing isn’t just about describing places, it’s about what those places mean to the writer. Lorie encourages personal reflection, connecting external experiences with internal change. This makes travel stories more engaging and meaningful to readers.
Understand the Market: For those looking to publish, The Travel Writer’s Way provides a clear-eyed look at the travel writing industry, from pitching to editors to self-publishing. Lorie offers practical advice on shaping stories for different audiences, whether for magazines, blogs, or full-length books.
Jonathan Lorie’s The Travel Writer’s Way is a must-read for anyone looking to turn their journeys into engaging stories. With a blend of hands-on exercises and examples from renowned travel writers, it’s both an inspiring and practical guide. If you’re working on a travel memoir, this book will sharpen your ability to weave personal experience with rich storytelling.
Whether you’re a blogger, a memoirist, or an aspiring travel journalist, The Travel Writer’s Way provides a step-by-step approach to writing vivid, engaging travel stories. Lorie’s insights are particularly useful for those looking to blend personal reflection with cultural exploration, making this an excellent resource for writers working on travel memoirs. Five key lessons:
Experience Travel Differently: Lorie encourages writers to move beyond being passive observers. Good travel writing starts with immersion, engaging with locals, exploring lesser-known areas, and embracing moments of spontaneity. The best travel stories aren’t just about places, but about the connections made along the way.
Find Your Narrative Thread: Great travel writing isn’t just a list of places visited, it tells a story. Lorie stresses the importance of structure, whether it’s a journey of personal discovery, an adventure filled with obstacles, or an exploration of a destination’s deeper history and culture. A good travel story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, just like a novel.
Capture the Details That Matter: Sensory detail is the key to transporting readers. Lorie advises writers to take detailed notes, focusing on the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions that define a place. He also emphasizes the power of strong verbs and precise language to bring scenes to life.
Master the Art of Reflection: Travel writing isn’t just about describing places, it’s about what those places mean to the writer. Lorie encourages personal reflection, connecting external experiences with internal change. This makes travel stories more engaging and meaningful to readers.
Understand the Market: For those looking to publish, The Travel Writer’s Way provides a clear-eyed look at the travel writing industry, from pitching to editors to self-publishing. Lorie offers practical advice on shaping stories for different audiences, whether for magazines, blogs, or full-length books.
Jonathan Lorie’s The Travel Writer’s Way is a must-read for anyone looking to turn their journeys into engaging stories. With a blend of hands-on exercises and examples from renowned travel writers, it’s both an inspiring and practical guide. If you’re working on a travel memoir, this book will sharpen your ability to weave personal experience with rich storytelling.
August 27, 2019
Must-read for anyone remotely interested in becoming a travel writer and learning about the evolved landscape from the past 10 years.
December 31, 2022
Great resource for travel writers of all kinds. I write a travel blog for my travels with my husband. Our blog, East Meets West--ME2AK, is a leisure blog, as defined in this book. I have been curious about developing the blog and myself as a writer. I have always enjoyed writing and found this book inspirational and full of ideas. The travel writing genre comes in many styles and sizes, only limited by your imagination and niche.
May 21, 2021
Practical and filled with invaluable tips, advice and exercises which help to further one’s skills in travel writing in a variety of contexts. Good to have on the shelf for regular reference and experimenting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews