75+ calls for journalism/writing pitches (January 13, 2025)
If you enjoy listening to people discuss the ins, outs, ups and downs of the writing life, especially travel writing, I am embarking on a series of interviews with such people, and uploading them across the interwebs. A snapshot of some recent uploads are below, with more to come as I find them.
All are available here on Substack, on YouTube, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
'Voice' in travel writing | Interview with writer, editor, author Chuck Thompson
Chuck Thompson, my former editorial director at CNN Travel, discusses the oft neglected topic of ‘voice’ in travel writing, how it led to CNNGo’s success and development into CNN Travel, and how writers would do well to inject a bit of it into their own stories.
The 'enshitification' of travel writing - this publisher has a warning for travel brands
Matt Barker, CEO at Horizon Guides, talks about the 'enshitification' of the travel content world - how for the past 10 years every brand and company has tried to become a media company and publisher on the side, with disastrous results.
Travel writing from scratch - Interview with Portugal journalist Lucy Bryson
Lucy Bryson jetted out of Manchester, UK, many years ago and headed to Brazil, without knowing the language and with little in the way of travel writing experience. But now, even as a single mother, she has carved a niche as a travel writer specialising in Portugal and Brazil.
Niche vs generalist: Interview with 'dog-friendly travel' writer Lottie Gross
I discuss the pros and cons of 'niching down' as a travel writer. Freelance travel journalist and author Lottie Gross, who runs the Talking Travel Writing newsletter, describes how falling into the niche of dog-friendly travel has opened up opportunities and marked her as an 'expert' in this under-served market.
When should travel writers write for free? | Unpaid vs paid travel writing
Philipp Meier, a former accountant from Switzerland, moved to Thailand a few years ago to chase his dream of being a travel writer. After years of writing for small publications for free, Philipp recently broke through to some better known publications such as CNN Travel, Nat Geo Traveller, and South China Morning Post.
Interview with Lola Akinmade, super-successful travel photographer & writer
Travel photographer and writer Lola Akinmade, with one of the most impressive resumes in the business, explains how she got into the big publications, what qualities she thinks helped her succeed, how she gets commissioned for 60% of the pitches she makes, as well as one shamefully embarrassing moment she experienced when pitching an editor.
Calls for pitches below.
Ready to get real about your spending habits in 2025? We're accepting new Money Diaries submissions (and pay $150 for each published diary!) 💸 Learn how to submit: https://you.refinery29.com/submit-money-diary
https://x.com/Refinery29/status/1876702153626079597
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I’m always looking to commission freelancers on stories with strong human interest, real life stories, celeb interviews that work for The Mirror. (Def have a read of the paper and site to get an idea). Pitch me your bits at Faima.bakar@reachplc.com
https://x.com/FaimaBakar/status/1876911038429311286
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looking for any first person pieces and takes around money woes/worries/financial regrets/fears. pitch with a strong headline in mind to maybelle.morgan@inews.co.uk #journorequest
https://x.com/maybelle_morgan/status/1876979450123796947
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@Orion_Magazine
is looking for pitches for their Fall 25 issue on "Natural Rhythm: Tracing the ancestral roots of hip hop" (closes 15 Jan)
Next, for their Winter 25 issue, they will be looking for pitches on "Not Yet Extinct: On the trail of Bigfoot and other survivors"
https://x.com/brecht_dp/status/1875634675747844445
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I'm always open to music pitches for Remezcla, but rn I'm looking for Black History Month stories by Afro Latine writers.
https://x.com/hoe_doyan/status/1875238751867392112
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Exciting news for all booze writers: Our sister magazine Stramash is looking for new contributors with something to fresh and curious say about the whisky world. Pitch ideas to stramash@whisky52.com. All writers paid a transparent fee of 25p/word.
#whisky #writing #freelance
https://x.com/GlugMag/status/1875207140136435950
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Freelance Opportunity!
For my upcoming #GAMEBOOK ADVANCE I'm looking for someone to write a paid retrospective on #TheLegendofZelda #MinishCap.
The fee is £100 for 800-1000 words.
Interested? Send a short pitch to pmurphy1978 (at) outlook (dotcom) before 12th Jan!
https://x.com/PMurphy1978/status/1875218961417298242
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Be the Voice of Rural India!
Do you have a knack for storytelling? A provocative idea or unique perspective about rural India? Share your vision with us and earn! Village Square is now accepting story pitches.
✍️We’re looking for writers, 📸photographers, and filmmakers to share insights from India’s villages.
Share your perspective, get published on our website and connect with thousands of people!
Apply now at: http://villagesquare.in/write-for-us/
https://x.com/VillageSqIndia/status/1874788433350078904
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hello! looking to commission a writer with experience in getting great expert comment and putting together pieces at the cross-section of science/wellbeing - email me with your links maybelle.morgan@inews.co.uk #journorequest
https://x.com/maybelle_morgan/status/1877299702602797499
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I'm looking for willing participants to write anonymous holiday spending diaries for a series on
@TelegraphTravel
- fancy documenting your next trip for me? drop me a DM #journorequest
https://x.com/Emileejanetombs/status/1877284127650525465