INVITE: TTW retreat 2023
We're taking 10 writers to Cheltenham to level up their careers
Exciting news is afoot! This October we’re launching our first-ever Talking Travel Writing Retreat in the beautiful Regency town of Cheltenham. The retreat will be a one-night, two-day getaway with seminars, press trip elements and working lunches where 10 aspiring or early-career travel writers will get to learn all they need to know to start a thriving travel writing business.
Read on to get the details…
Who is the Talking Travel Writing Retreat for?
This retreat is designed for new, aspiring or early-career travel writers who want to understand better how this industry works, how to make a reasonable living in it, and how to pitch and write great stories. The retreat will cover everything from the PR-journalist relationship and how that works, to writing pitches that get commissioned, finding editor contacts, networking and matching your ideas to the right publications.
There will also be press trip-style activities within the two days so you can put into practice what you’ve learned. The ultimate goal of the retreat is to come away from Cheltenham with solid pitches ready to be sent out to editors.
Who is doing the teaching?
Your travel writing mentors will be: Steph Dyson, who’s been published across the UK and US media by Nat Geo Traveller, CNN, Lonely Planet, the Independent and more, and has worked on dozens of guidebooks; and Lottie Gross, who has been writing for top brands like Rough Guides, Lonely Planet, The Telegraph, Times and Nat Geo Traveller for over a decade and has been a travel editor at three different publications.
The seminars and workshops will draw on both Steph and Lotties’ experiences as travel writers across the past decade, and include content from Lottie’s expert online travel writing course that she delivered to over 20 students during the pandemic. Many have since gone on to get commissions from the likes of the Telegraph and Nat Geo, as well as full-time jobs at top-tier travel magazines. Here’s what one student had to say about the course:
“This course is brilliant for budding travel writers who want to start getting their first commissions. I found the content was both useful and practical, and it massively sharpened up my pitches which quickly helped me get bylines with major travel brands. Lottie is a very experienced travel writer and her knowledge is a real asset for anyone taking the course”
Where and when is it?
When: Sunday 1—Monday 2 October 2023
How much does it cost?
The charge for the two-day retreat is £350.
What’s the schedule and what is included?
Bed, breakfast, tea and coffee throughout the seminars and lunches are included. Dinner will be at your leisure either in the hotel or elsewhere in Cheltenham and payable by you. The rough schedule is as follows:
Sunday 1 October
10am — Introductory seminar
1pm — Lunch (included)
2pm — Afternoon seminars
5pm — Evening at leisure
8pm — Press trip activity
Monday 2 October
9am — Press trip activity
11.30am — Pitching workshop
1pm — Lunch (included)
2pm — Afternoon seminar
4pm — Open questions
5pm — Goodbyes
How do I book it?
We’re taking deposits now but only have 10 places available, so if you’re keen to join us, fill out this form and we’ll be in touch with an invoice. Terms and conditions of the retreat can be read here.