How to become a Travel Writer

Susan Grossman runs travel writing workshops (see below) for those who want to break into the business. Here Susan gives some invaluable advice:

‘Years ago when I was writing travel reports for Holiday Which? magazine we weren't allowed to accept as much as a coca cola from a hotelier for fear of being 'compromised' or having our 'integrity' shattered in a million pieces. Nowadays apart from the odd magazine and 'a' newspaper that could well be on the way out, travel editors couldn't care less how much 'hospitality' you've had, whether there was champagne flowing out of your ears or you were put up in the suite they usually save for celebrities and heads of state.

What editors want is to keep advertisers happy, with a feature that's topical, and to stay in budget. That's not to say that if someone famous comes along and demands a vast fee they won't pay it, they just won't pay you very much if you're sharing the issue. What always amazes me is that in the twenty plus years I've been contributing to the travel pages of magazines and newspapers, the fees for freelancers have gone down. And that's goes for pictures too. Still, with a lot of hard work and a lot of travelling you can just about make a living out of travel writing, and if you add up what you would have had to pay out for the 'holidays' you've had for free, you're positively rolling in it.

It's a fine line to tread, the negotiating with the tour operator for a 'facility trip' and the editor who you want a commision from, with you in the middle playing one off against the other. Making it all work, often falls down to the pitch. Lots of writers are fine once they are 'in' with a particular editor and their commissions come thick and fast. But once an editor moves on (or these days gets fired) things start to toughen up. Real pitches take a lot of thought and hard work and without a decent one, you're unlikely to get a commission. To make decent money you need to write to get three or four features out of each journey. It's a lot easier than you might think and freelancers who always seem to be busy have cracked it. When I was a magazine editor I had to laugh. I commissioned a good freelancer to write something for my magazine. On his return he produced a very 'thin' account of the place. 'Didn't anything else happen?' I asked him. 'Well', he said, pausing, 'it did, but I sold the rest to 'Hello'.

Susan Grossman's 'Pitching to Editors' workshops run regularly at RIBA, W1.

Her next one-day workshop: 'Pitching to Editors' will be held on Friday 23rd April or Saturday 24th April. For more details:

www.susangrossman.co.uk or http:/uk.Linkedin.com/in/susan17grossman

Or email Susan directly: susangrossman@tiscali.co.uk

A Taste of Amsterdam

Steeped in history, Amsterdam features exquisite examples of its 17th-century Golden Age legacy. Protected monuments abound, and it is easy to imagine Rembrandt strolling the charming canalside streets, sketchbook in hand. World-class culture is here, too, in the dazzling, newly expanded Hermitage, as well as the classic art and historical museums, many of them revamped for the 21st century. Of course, there are plenty of contemporary distractions in this city that boasts beautiful boutique hotels, eclectic modern restaurants, chic cafes and vibrant nightlife. And let’s not forget that urbane Amsterdam is also one of the world’s most livable cities and its forward thinking policies on social issues and transport are now being emulated around the globe.

Whether you want to eat in a shiny, modern eatery complete with designer fare and décor, or you desire a restaurant that is traditional, French and Michelin-starred, there have been some exciting new additions in the city, where visitors can enjoy modern French/Italian dishes atop a disused railway bridge at Open! A truly modern restaurant in an enormous glass container surrounded by water on an old railway bridge. It’s a lovely spot for a French-Italian dinner and worth a look for just a drink or a snack. Or there's Yamazato, the only Michelin-starred traditional Japanese restaurant in Europe, offering a superlative, authentic experience. Set in a Japanese garden with carp-filled lake. If you don’t want to go the whole hog, try the lunch box with a selection of dishes. Reservations are essential.

Travelling by bike in Amsterdam is, quite simply, a joy. The city’s longstanding and forward thinking transport policy that penalizes and restricts car use means that trafiic is kept to a minimum. With flat terrain, readily available bike hire including Orange Bike and the prevalence of cycle lanes, means there is little reason not to travel by two wheels.

For a novel way to arrive in Amsterdam, why not follow the 15-km, signposted cycle route around Schipol airport and into town? Many airlines let you bring your bike for free, although it may need to be in a purpose built box; check with your carrier. Otherwise hire a bike at the airport on arrival, use it to get around town, and then just drop it off on your return.

This text appeared in AA Essential Amsterdam.