Even if You’re New to Travel Writing, These Guys Still Want Your Stuff!

There are lots of lists out there directing writers to appropriate publications to get their work published, and depending on your interests and focus, your own list can be quite unique. But for me, being new to the world of travel writing, I’ve compiled this list as a reference for writers just starting out to hopefully make the querying process a little less intimidating. I have focused on online publications since these are generally more accessible to us newbies. Some pay and some don’t, but at this point in the game, its more about getting exposure than dinero.

This list has been built as a joint effort with my fellow MatadorU students who’ve got an knack for this kind of thing. Many many thanks to Candice, Rob, Abbie, Joanna, Amiee, Alouise, and Nick!

ONLINE MAGAZINES & PUBICATIONS

2Camels is a website that highlights a wide range of events and festivals from around the world with an extensive array of articles and snippets. The editor of 2Camels, Paul Dodson, is looking for writers and photographers who have a passion for festivals, events and travelling. Writers should surround the reader with the experience, encouraging them to smell the local foods frying in the street shacks and hear the roar of the crowds as the bulls run down the streets of Pamplona. Articles should be timeless and capture the essence of the event rather than providing concert line-ups or information that changes from year-to-year. 2Camels receives 4 million hits a year, so in addition to exposure, writers are guaranteed a healthy bio complete with link love and $20 per article. Submission guidelines are detailed and can be found here.

52 Perfect Days is an online website that gives people an ideal way to spend a perfect day in a city. Unfortunately this is only for cities in the US and Baja Mexico. They pay via google ad sense, so in order for this to work you would have to have your own website or at least a blog.

The Backpacker Daily is a relatively new online magazine devoted to stories, reviews, and the arts inspired by travel. Check out the submission information here.

Big World Magazine is all about finding the most unique destinations in the world. The publication is fairly new, and while there’s no payment for published articles yet, it’s a great starting place for getting your name out there. Stories are crisp, clean, and informative. Your article must fit into one of the categories: Big Shot (images and videos), Voices (audio clips), Culture, Journey, Probe, Far Flung, People, Fest, Eat, Comment and Reading. Go directly to the Submissions page to submit your article online.

BootsnAll is an online travel community that publishes travel stories, blogs, and guides. Continually taking applications for travel writers. See jobs at BootsnAll here.

Brave New Traveler is part of the Matador Network of travel sites and focuses on edgy articles which drive attention and provokes reactions; destination stories are not the norm, individual thoughts and opinions are. Submission form is here.

Escape Artist offers information to people interested in pursuing the expatriate lifestyle. It offers information on living abroad, international real estate, asset protection and securing jobs overseas. In addition to extensive online content, Escape Artist publishes Escape From America Magazine, which is published monthly, focuses on international relocation and is read by nearly 400,000 subscribers. The site publishes countless articles every month as well as eBooks and special reports. The average article is 1,500-3,000 words; payment depends on the needs and desires of the site and writer. More details on pay structure and submission guidelines can be found here.

Everywhere seeks authentic world experiences. Anyone with a travel story is invited to submit their writing and photographs to the Everywhere travel website, then community members vote on the stories they like the best. Editors choose from the highest quality work submitted on the site to create a printed publication. Those who write contributions that are chosen for publication are paid and receive a free subscription to the magazine. Visit the community and learn more about the selection process here.

The Expeditioner is an online magazine featuring articles for young and avid travellers. Writers are encouraged to submit first-person narratives ranging from 900-1,200 words that inspire fellow travellers. Check the site’s list of articles on file to get a feel for the voice of the site. Writers should take note of all the destinations that have no articles on file as these may be the easiest areas to break in to. Pay depends upon experience. Full submission guidelines can be found here.

Galavanting is an online travel magazine specifically catering to women. The publication features stories about travelling women and self-discovery. Galavanting is actively seeking feature travel essays, blog posts, and travel tips. See detailed contributor’s guidelines here.

Global Backpacking was started by editor David Lee in 1999 to promote independent travel. Contributors are wanted to offer articles on topics like couch surfing, teaching English abroad and travel book reviews. Other ideas will be considered. Contributors won’t be paid but will be promoted via social networking sites as well location specific posts will get syndicated on Lonely Planet online and other travel websites.

Go Nomad is a “comprehensive resource centre”, offering information on thousands of exotic destinations and unique stories. Sections include Features, Destinations, Tours, Women’s Travel, and more. Stories should be between 800 to 2,000 words, emailed to editorial@gonomad.com including a head shot, short bio, and photographs submitted in a Google Picasa album. For more details, check out the submissions guidelines.

• Here’s a tip: When querying, be sure to mention that you have promoted the site in some way, whether it be a link on your blog or a Tweet. Your article will be bumped to the front of the line in doing so.

Go World Travel Magazine is home to a wide variety of destination writing. The site has subscribers from more than 50 countries and is growing consistently and constantly. Articles should be written from an international perspective. Go World Travel Magazine has a number of categories, including destination, personality profiles, eco-travel, off the beaten path and first-person narratives. The publication values strong descriptive writing with vivid descriptions, anecdotes and language that conveys curiosity and interest in a destination. Writers should include a sidebar with useful information. Features should be 800-1,200 words and pay between $35 and $50. For details on pay for shorter pieces and for comprehensive instructions on how to submit, see the full writers’ guidelines here.

Hackwriters publishes a large variety of writing on its monthly online magazine and have a dedicated section to travel related writing if it is analytical or questioning in nature. They are based in an academic institution, have been running for 10 years and linked to the Creative Writing MA from the University of Portsmouth, which as it turns out is the uni which awarded me my electronics degree. Email Editor: hackwriters@gmail.com

InsideOut Travel is an online publication for the financially concerned, “anyone who values the experience of travelling and learning about other cultures more than importing the luxuries of everyday life to a new location.” The publication is constantly looking for good advice on how to make your dollar stretch. Submit detailed queries to submissions@insideoutmag.com. Writing samples should be sent as a link in the body of an email rather than an attached document.

In The Know Traveler publishes stories 450-600 words in length that according to the website inspires travel. The pay is $10 per article and you’ll be featured on the contributors page. You can also blog for the website but you will not be paid.

Iwend is the online publication of Wend Magazine with a strong focus on travel, adventure, and activism. They don’t pay for articles, but getting published here is probably a great foot in to publishing in their print magazine, Wend.

On A Junket publishes articles of a personal nature from passionate travellers. They are not looking for guidebook or a best of series. Submissions should be 500 and 2000 and sent via email with word document attachment. While they don’t pay for writing, On A Junket has had travel writing contests with the top prize of $ 150 US.

Restless Me is an online publication dedicated to alternative travel. While the site is being relaunched, articles are still being accepted. Quoting the submission guidelines, “We work with beginning writers who want to learn the craft of travel writing, and experienced writers who want to stretch their creative legs in ways they wouldn’t be able to elsewhere.”
If you feel you have a strong, unique, narrative voice, submit a full story to editors@restlessme.com. Restless Me also accepts music and book reviews.

Road Junky is an online publication featuring destination guides, travel tips, and travel culture. Road Junky is looking for travel writers to expand their city and country guides.  The publication is also interested in travel stories, but does not pay for these. Road Junky is also looking for translators, editors, and marketing experts. See travel writing and photography submission details here.

Transitions Abroad is a useful, practical planning guide for long-term or short-term cultural immersion, whether its volunteering abroad, studying abroad, working abroad, etc. With over 6 million visitors per year, the pay is good and the content versatile. Review the different sections here, including a Current Needs section. Submit all manuscripts in a Word document to webeditorial@transitionsabroad.com.

Travel Thru History explores historical and cultural experiences. Visitors to the site are immersed in the past and present with writing that takes people to another time and place. Editor W. Ruth Kozak seeks stories that feature the historical, archaeological and cultural dimensions of a destination. Writers who have taken literary journeys, visited sites haunted by artists, and wandered through the halls of interesting museums and art galleries are encouraged to submit material. Travel Thru History provides more than just destination information; writers need to engage readers with strong details about a destination. Stories range from 500-1,500 words, and payment depends on length of article. Writers must submit photography if an article is accepted. Complete submission guidelines can be found here.

Vagabondish is yet another great travel site. This one doesn’t pay but promises to link to your blog if they publish your content. A good way to get some exposure if you’re starting out in the travel writing. There is a general contact form on the website to fill out if you are interested in submitting.

Verge Magazine is a print and online publication that explores opportunities to study, work and volunteer abroad for readers in Canada and the United States. Co-founder and editor-in-chief Jeff Minthorn has extensive experience travelling and working abroad, and it is expected that writers of Verge will provide content that motivates and informs readers interested in doing the same. Articles should be engaging and provide how-to information for readers interested in learning more about travelling with a purpose. There are many department columns and feature opportunities open to freelance submissions. Providing photographs is strongly encouraged. Verge Magazine pays $.10 (CAD) per word. Writers may submit manuscripts or detailed queries as noted in the submission guidelines, which can be accessed here.

Wanderlust and Lipstick is a publication for lady writers only, Wanderlust and Lipstick has a light-hearted, fun approach to travel writing. Beth Whitman, with more than 22 years of travel experience, is always looking for new stories from the road. Check out the submission guidelines here. While writers are not paid for their articles right now, a book is in the works for 2010. Also worth noting is the contests section, prizes including vacation packages.

Phew! That’s a big ‘ol list. Bookmark this or hang it on your wall, but make sure you keep writing, keep querying, and get that passion of yours published!