TTW x BGTW mentoring scheme closing | Applicants invited to pitch JRNY
Apply for our mentoring scheme and you'll be invited to pitch JRNY mag
Last week we announced that, in partnership with the British Guild of Travel Writers, we’ve launched our brand-new mentoring scheme. With ten spots available and the chance to be matched up with one of ten expert travel mentors taken from the ranks of the BGTW, it’s a very exciting proposition if you’re new to travel writing. (And if you’re an experienced travel writer yourself, scroll to the bottom of this email find out how you can get involved).
We’ve been delighted by how many applications we’ve already received from new and aspiring travel writers across the country and beyond. If yours is not one of them, there’s still time to submit; the deadline is 10 September and you can apply using this Google form.
Remember: our mentoring programme is completely free and you’ll receive four one-hourly sessions with your mentor. As we’re committed to supporting diversity in the travel media, Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers are absolutely encouraged to apply.
Apply to be mentored and get published in JRNY magazine
The good news doesn’t end there. Both Lottie and I were lucky to be commissioned by the brand-new JRNY magazine earlier this year, which rose from the ashes of the travel media during the pandemic. Not only was it 100% crowdfunded and established around a payment model designed to fairly compensate its writers and photographers, but it’s an utterly beautiful coffee-table magazine featuring some of our favourite travel writers.
We’ve partnered up with the folks over at JRNY to bring you an exciting additional opportunity. All those who apply for our mentoring programme will be given the opportunity to pitch a feature for the second edition of the magazine, which will be hitting doormats next year. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never written a travel article before or the only person who’s read your work is your mum; pitches will be reviewed based upon merit.
Once applications have closed, we’ll get in touch with each one of you to detail how you can sell your story to JRNY, and we’ll give you free access to issue #1 so you can read up on what’s already been covered.
Excited? So are we. Let’s hear from Kav Dadfar, one of the founders of JRNY, to find out more about the origins of the magazine and the types of stories they’re planning to publish in issue #2.
This unprecedented pandemic turned the world of travel on its head or rather on its knees. Most people were grounded, only able to dream about their next adventure. Far-away places suddenly felt further away than ever before.
The ramifications of the last 18 months have meant that some of the most famous travel publications and brands disappeared into an abyss. This had a huge knock-on effect on the thousands of freelancers out there who contributed to the many publications and brands in the travel industry. From writers to photographers, many had work cancelled and, in some cases, even had to change careers.
JRNY Travel Magazine was conceived by myself and Jordan Banks to allow some of these amazingly talented travel writers and photographers to get paid to do what they do best — tell their travel stories!
It is a magazine for those who love a sense of adventure. It’s for people who want to be inspired to travel to lesser-known destinations, like the Banana Islands in Sierra Leone, or get a new perspective on a familiar one. It’s for those who want to get away from resorts to walk around old towns, learn about ancient sites, drive on beyond the tarmac or immerse themselves in cultural festivals around the world. Whether it’s a human-interest story, wildlife, adventure or even a road trip, the key is a story that surprises, inspires, excites and informs the reader. But most importantly of all, makes them want to visit!
Are you an experienced travel writer looking to give back to the industry?
Our mentoring programme relies on the expertise of the travel writers who’ve been part of the industry for decades and are willing to share their knowledge. Through our partnership with the British Guild of Travel Writers, we’ve organised for our ten mentors to come from the top ranks of their membership, and who’ll be paid £25 per session for up to four mentoring sessions.
If you’re an experienced travel journalist who thinks you have plenty to offer and you’re a member of the Guild, check back through your member emails to find out more about how to apply.
Not a member of the Guild yet but want to be involved? Unfortunately, because of the timescales of the application process to join the Guild, we’re unable to use you as a mentor this time. However, we hope to run the programme again, when we will most certainly be looking for more mentors. Apply to join the Guild now and there’s a strong chance you could become one of our future expert mentors.