Travel Writing

A specialist evening course covering travel writing as a freelance, held on Monday evenings, between 6.30pm and 9.00pm.

The course begins with a general introduction to freelance journalism, and then specialises in travel writing in particular. The course tutors are Paul Gogarty, Chris Haslam and Duncan Craig. Paul, formerly a presenter on The Holiday Programme, is a well-known freelance travel writer and author. Chris is an experienced regular travel writer at the Sunday Times and Editor of the Travel News (Sunday Times). Duncan is Deputy Travel Editor for the Daily Express and Sunday Express. A journalist for 12 years, Duncan has written/edited for The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday and The Guardian.

Weeks 1 to 4 will be taught by Paul Gogarty. Weeks 5 and 6 will be extension work with Chris Haslam and Duncan Craig.

	Week 1:	About the job. Skills and qualities. Making a start. What makes a travel article? What do editors and readers want?
	Week 2:	Getting your foot in the door. Pitching your idea. Theme. Conclusions. Exploring your travel feature.
	Week 3:	Where to go from here. Spreading the net. Discipline. Ideas. Theme. Conclusions. Exploring your travel feature.
	Week 4:	Interviewing. Evaluating information: what to leave in/out. The journalistic life. Finding your own unique selling perspective.
	Week 5:	Travel writing workshop with Chris Haslam.
	Week 6:	Travel writing workshop with Duncan Craig.

There are two writing assignments included in the course - both of which will be reviewed by Paul Gogarty. The aim of this course is to give you a real understanding of the travel journalism industry, how to market your ideas and what to do to make your writing as publishable as possible.

Book: Lonely Planet Travel Writing (included in course fee)

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