When I launched my travel-writing career in 2014, I had no idea I’d be writing about food. Travel, yes. But food? Then it happened—the perfect story just fell into my lap. I was a new writer, on vacation with my husband in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and discovered an amazing restaurant in Playa del Carmen. It […]
For a long time, I thought food writing was out of the question for me. Sure, I like to eat at least as much as the next person. But I also follow a strictly plant-based diet. And most people don’t. That’s not to say I haven’t found workarounds. One of my first travel-writing jobs was […]
We took our places at the long wooden table inside the cozy Refuge l’Espace. The wooden walls were covered with newspapers bearing whimsical historic headlines as the welcoming aroma of hot lentil soup wafted through the air. Anywhere else on Earth, this little restaurant would have been unremarkable, but Refuge l’Espace sits atop a glacier […]
Before I travel to a place I’m going to write about, I always research nice places to stay, cool attractions to visit, the unique history of the area, and—of course—where I’d like to eat. I’ve written and published dozens of articles since becoming a travel writer and almost every one of them mentions at least […]
“If there’s some synergy in your own interests and what we’re doing at International Living, you’re the best kind of writer for us.” – Jen Stevens Host Jody Mayberry has Jen Stevens back on the show to talk more about what she does specifically as the Executive Editor for International Living magazine. (You can listen […]
“If you want to be a travel writer, this is what you need to know. Does it work? YES!” – Jen Stevens Host Jody Mayberry and Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen, introduce us to Jen Stevens, Executive Editor at International Living and architect of The Ultimate Travel Writer’s Program. Jen Stevens tells us how […]
In the early days of my travel-writing career, I worked as a magazine editor. My duties encompassed everything from writing, commissioning, and editing stories to making sure our page proofs got to the printers on time. In addition, a big part of my day-to-day involved reading query letters and submissions from freelance writers, many of […]
In the summer of 2000, I was a struggling-to-make-ends-meet newspaper reporter when I received my first magazine travel assignment. It wasn’t big or glamorous, but I felt like I’d won the lottery. I was asked to visit a Vermont ski resort to take a mountain-biking lesson. I was an avid cyclist at the time, and […]
“I spent 34 years saving lives. Now I’m saving mine.” This is how I explain my transition from full-time registered nurse to travel writer. The transition didn’t happen overnight. But the moment I realized that travel writing was my answer to retirement and the rewarding second career I was seeking, I was determined to make […]
Testifying before important legislative committees, meeting with politicians, organizing grassroots activists groups… when I first became a lobbyist, it was exciting. But as the years wore on and I got a peek behind the curtain, I didn’t like what I saw; politics is not pretty. I wanted a way out. I wanted to follow my […]
