iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

My interview with a guy who had zero experience as a travel writer 6 months ago, and now is published (and paid) by BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, The Independent, Conde Nast Traveler, Food, Wine, Travel Mag and more. Highly inspiring and motivating stuff: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cpB...

youtube.com

How to sell stories to BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure with no experience

YouTube video by Travel Writing Skool

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Are you a tech writer in Latin America, or a health/wellness writer in Hudson valley? A couple of pitch calls here may be of interest: pitchwhiz.com/pitch-calls

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Freelance journos… Who needs a 'pitching agent'? Now when you create a 'pitch packet' on Pitchwhiz it goes to a page where editors can review and maybe buy it. Try it - create a pitch packet (or three) and make it public. Pitchwhiz will try and sell it for you. »»»» Pitchwhiz.com

pitchwhiz.com

PitchWhiz - Directory of Freelance Writers & Journalists

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

15. Always Follow Up No reply? Follow up in 3–14 days, depending on urgency. Follow up twice. If no response after 3 emails, move on. Many writers get the yes after a nudge.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

14. Pitch Multiple Outlets Yes, pitch the same story to several places—especially if it’s time-sensitive. If two say yes, tweak versions. It’s a good problem to have.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

13. Research Before Pitching Check what the outlet has already published. Don’t duplicate. Offer a fresh, timely, or contrarian angle. Know their tone and niche.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

12. Use a Smart Email Signature Include your best recent byline and where you’re headed next. It signals momentum and gives editors story cues for the future.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

11. Mention Photos & Interviews Can you supply interviews or photos? Say so. Include 2–3 samples or a link (no huge files). Editors want to know what assets you offer.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

10. Add Practical Info Include basic service info: how to get there, where to stay, when to go. One line is often enough, but don’t skip it.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

9. Repeat the Headline Inside Put your headline in bold in the pitch body—even if it’s already in the subject line. It helps editors track what the pitch is actually about.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

8. Keep It Tight Trim fluff. Get to the point. Don’t sound like a Wikipedia entry. Even long pitches should feel lean and purposeful.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

7. Be Direct, Not Flowery This isn’t the article—it’s a sales doc. Skip poetic language. Say exactly what the story is, why now, and why you’re the one to write it.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

6. Frontload Your Pitch Put the best stuff at the top. Editors may only skim. Don’t bury the gold in paragraph 4. Grab attention right away—like writing a great lede.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

5. Prove Your Credibility Mention relevant bylines (“published in Nat Geo”), local knowledge (“I live here”), or niche expertise (“vegan travel blogger”). Transparency builds trust.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

4. Highlight Your Access What makes you the right person? Exclusive access to a site, interviews with key locals, deep insider knowledge—these raise your pitch’s value. Be specific.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

3. Pitch a Story, Not a Topic Don’t pitch “sustainable travel” or “Bangkok food.” Pitch a narrative: “How Bangkok’s canal chefs are reinventing Thai street food.” Editors want a story, not a theme.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

2. Nail the News Hook Editors ask: “Why now?” Give a timely reason—an opening, anniversary, trend, or data spike. Make the hook clear early, ideally in the subject line or lead of your pitch.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

1. Craft a Killer Headline Your pitch headline should be clear, not poetic. Add a superlative or emotional hook. “The weirdest hotel in Iceland” beats “My trip to Iceland.” If you can’t write a compelling headline, you may not have a story.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I’ve now done 15 story pitch reviews in the Travel Writing Skool, and with a bit of help from AI, derived the key lessons. Here they are: How to sell a travel article: 15 essential points for your pitch >>>>>>

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Always love visiting Japan, and not just for the electric bidet gadgets (when will the rest of the world realize that washing is better than wiping? And squatting better than sitting?) But because it's so easy to find peace. Just walk any side street in the evening. No bustle, no hustle, just quiet.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Finally a Psychology degree, five media platform launches and 25 years of journalism pays off!

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

For at least an hour Pope Leo was being called Pope Leon, perhaps thanks to the BBC notification writer. #influence #callthecopyeditor

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Anyone else quite enjoy seeing typos in posts and messages these days, because it means chatgpt wasn't involved?

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

In China even the latrines look like pandas

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

This place really comes into its own after winter

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

oh to be a recent college grad again... "You will be driving around the country in the NutMobile promoting Planters Peanuts. You’ll be responsible for putting on marketing events. Travel expenses, meals, and room and board are covered for a year, in addition to a salary."

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Love the design of the NYT's 52 list. Also I've only been to a handful, so a genuine list of places I need to get to... Apparently as I am a subscriber any shares of this article I make are free to you! So dive in... www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

nytimes.com

52 Places to Go in 2025 (Gift Article)

Where will the new year take you? Kick-start your travel plans by selecting favorites from our annual list.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Interviews with travel writers, editors and publishers now being added to the WhatEdsWant Substack channel. This is the first of the new batch, with travel writer/author Lottie Gross, discussing dog-friendly travel, and the pros and cons of niching down. whatedswant.substack.com/p/niche-vs-g...

whatedswant.substack.com

Niche vs generalist: Interview with 'dog-friendly travel' writer Lottie Gross

I discuss the pros and cons of 'niching down' as a travel writer.

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Want to join our most excellent Travel Writing Skool for just $10/month before it goes up to $24 tomorrow? - calls for pitches every day - million-dollar travel blogging masterclass - resources and training - prizes and rewards - pitch and story critiques >>> www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...

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James Durston @jamesdurston.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

I recently started a travel writing community with several other top journos, authors and bloggers, and if you join before 2025 there's a big discount on offer: www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...