Job Discussion Forums

Gold Rush · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 86

Writing, travelling and how to live off of it.

How many people here are currently travel writing as a way to make income while travelling? Have you found this to be relatively easy work to find (in Asia, in particular)? If so, how did you go about landing a job?

I, personally have a Journalism background and have worked in both freelance/newsroom set-ups and for a magazine (as a writer/editor). I'm currently teaching English in Asia.

My question is, what are my chances of finding p/t travel writing work via the net?

p.s.
I'd also be interested in hearing from people who have discovered other writing-related ways of generating income (via the net) during their travels.

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

travel writing or at least telling people about it seems to be a new scam or at least it sounds like it.

I do know people who have supplemented their income with writing non travel related articles or working with newspapers.

schwa · Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap

Write & submit. If you've got talent you might pick up a bit of pocket money here & there. Without a substantial track record, nobody will hire you as a travel writer. A job doing that would be hard-earned. Good luck.

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

I recently was interviewed by, and subsequently acted as an interpreter for, a writer for The Guardian. He was travelling and writing in my part of Japan.

He explained his situation to me, and he said his salary would not support him in London, but on the other hand he doesn't really want to be committed to living in London when his job is very flexible as long as he has a computer and internet access. Living in Asia, however, is not feasible in his case as he still needs to walk the pavement in London to sell his stories (Guardian writer but also sells stories to any buyer). His solution was to set up in Cyprus and he says it is great. Flights to London are cheap enough to offset the rent in London but the weather is much much better. As for his trips, most are departing from the U.K. but are generally paid for by the newspaper.

It can be done. Good luck.