Anna Richards (as she well knows), was incredibly lovely and helpful to me when I first started out and boldly DMd her on Twitter asking for advice about pitching.
My former boss Gordon Billingsley gave me great advice about how to properly use quotes in a feature story: “If it can’t sing and dance, don’t put it up on stage.”
Oliver Smith at Telegraph Travel who is unfailingly polite,kind and responsive; Jennifer Cox ditto. But most editors and PRs I've worked with during a long (and varied)career have been great-the bad ones in my experience are thankfully rare :)
I was on a bus in Honduras when I read this Lottie, and I lovingly throw your comment right back at you. You commissioned me regularly when you were at Rough Guides, then later Love Exploring, and I found out recently you recommended me to your successors, as well as to RG guidebook editors. Your willingness to lift up others is quite remarkable (I can't quite believe you're still so young), and you straight-talk your way to the heart of every issue, giving advice and help whenever anyone asks. Keep being you. <3
Love this! My number one has to be Emma Wilkinson. She showed me what a freelance career could look like and gave me the courage and confidence to leave my job to go freelance. Fellow journos Emma Pearson and Lisa Bradley also convinced me that I could make a success of freelance work. It really did change my life!
Lottie Gross! She gave me my first-ever commission, is always exceptionally generous with her time when it comes to providing advice and swapping industry grievances, and reached out to me when she had an idea about launching a newsletter for travel writers...and here we are 5.5 years later
Hannah Mulvey, of Gosh PR, who helped me put together my first individual press trip, to Florida. She got me to Kennedy Space Centre (with my sister), which was my dream destination, on a wonderful trip through Miami, up the coast and across to Tampa. She was also the central cog in organising a big trip down the west coast of America.
Hannah then entered my piece about Tampa into an award, where it won Highly Commended. First thing I'd ever won in travel writing!
Such a lovely idea...Zara Sekhavati at the Lonely Planet. She was the first person to commission me, and working with her on my first guidebook was a dream come true. We continue to work together now, and it is always a pleasure to do so. Grateful she took the leap of faith on a newbie to published writing. And, Lottie and Steph, your TTW newsletters and trainings for sure motivate and guide me, shukran!
Claire Boobbyer, who inspired me as a young editor sitting next to me, and continues to inspire me - and occasionally write me nice emails - as a superstar freelance travel writer. So chuffed to continue this journey with her!
I love this! As a freelance writer, Lavinia Spalding, Stephanie Pearson, and Mark Johanson have been pivotal cheerleaders and believers in my abilities.
Anja Mutic really introduced me to the possibility of freelance travel writing when I took her class through MediaBistro 15 years ago (!!!). If there had been a grading system, I would have flunked, as I was so nervous to submit my assignments, but what she taught stuck with me forever.
It also helped me in my PR work, through which I've had the pleasure of becoming close with so many people I greatly admire, like all four I already mentioned, plus Meera Dattani, Sarika Bansal, Lyn Hughes, JoAnna Haugen, Tim Neville, Norie Quintos, Marcia DeSanctis, Andrew Evans, Steph Dyson ;), and oh so many more I could fill a whole post.
Lizzie Frainier at The Times (then Telegraph), who gave me lots of tips on pitching, and India Dowley, who was at SUITCASE, and commissioned my first ever paid piece (I sent her a completed article rather than a pitch because I didn't know that wasn't how it worked!). She also gave me the advice of writing about somewhere rogue to start with to have little competition, which probably planted the seed of my move to Lyon!
Carey Davies who used to head up The Great Outdoors was great too, and gave me lots of positive feedback and reassurance when I was starting out.
Anna Richards (as she well knows), was incredibly lovely and helpful to me when I first started out and boldly DMd her on Twitter asking for advice about pitching.
YAY! Well done Anna <3 She's a goodun
Well this just made my day! Thank you Rebecca :)
My former boss Gordon Billingsley gave me great advice about how to properly use quotes in a feature story: “If it can’t sing and dance, don’t put it up on stage.”
I love this! Absolutely great advice!
Oliver Smith at Telegraph Travel who is unfailingly polite,kind and responsive; Jennifer Cox ditto. But most editors and PRs I've worked with during a long (and varied)career have been great-the bad ones in my experience are thankfully rare :)
I do think this industry attracts a lot of wonderful people and yes, the bad experiences are thankfully few and far between!
I was on a bus in Honduras when I read this Lottie, and I lovingly throw your comment right back at you. You commissioned me regularly when you were at Rough Guides, then later Love Exploring, and I found out recently you recommended me to your successors, as well as to RG guidebook editors. Your willingness to lift up others is quite remarkable (I can't quite believe you're still so young), and you straight-talk your way to the heart of every issue, giving advice and help whenever anyone asks. Keep being you. <3
These are such kind words. Thank YOU for everything xx
Love this! My number one has to be Emma Wilkinson. She showed me what a freelance career could look like and gave me the courage and confidence to leave my job to go freelance. Fellow journos Emma Pearson and Lisa Bradley also convinced me that I could make a success of freelance work. It really did change my life!
Gorgeous to hear! 🙌 I similarly didn't believe I could go freelance, but Helen Ochyra convinced me otherwise ❤️
Sue Preston who gave me my first commission and Paula Morgan who has/had more belief in me than I have/had in myself.
Lovely! 🙌
Lottie Gross! She gave me my first-ever commission, is always exceptionally generous with her time when it comes to providing advice and swapping industry grievances, and reached out to me when she had an idea about launching a newsletter for travel writers...and here we are 5.5 years later
Hannah Mulvey, of Gosh PR, who helped me put together my first individual press trip, to Florida. She got me to Kennedy Space Centre (with my sister), which was my dream destination, on a wonderful trip through Miami, up the coast and across to Tampa. She was also the central cog in organising a big trip down the west coast of America.
Hannah then entered my piece about Tampa into an award, where it won Highly Commended. First thing I'd ever won in travel writing!
Such a lovely idea...Zara Sekhavati at the Lonely Planet. She was the first person to commission me, and working with her on my first guidebook was a dream come true. We continue to work together now, and it is always a pleasure to do so. Grateful she took the leap of faith on a newbie to published writing. And, Lottie and Steph, your TTW newsletters and trainings for sure motivate and guide me, shukran!
Aww thank you Sally! x
Claire Boobbyer, who inspired me as a young editor sitting next to me, and continues to inspire me - and occasionally write me nice emails - as a superstar freelance travel writer. So chuffed to continue this journey with her!
I love this! As a freelance writer, Lavinia Spalding, Stephanie Pearson, and Mark Johanson have been pivotal cheerleaders and believers in my abilities.
Anja Mutic really introduced me to the possibility of freelance travel writing when I took her class through MediaBistro 15 years ago (!!!). If there had been a grading system, I would have flunked, as I was so nervous to submit my assignments, but what she taught stuck with me forever.
It also helped me in my PR work, through which I've had the pleasure of becoming close with so many people I greatly admire, like all four I already mentioned, plus Meera Dattani, Sarika Bansal, Lyn Hughes, JoAnna Haugen, Tim Neville, Norie Quintos, Marcia DeSanctis, Andrew Evans, Steph Dyson ;), and oh so many more I could fill a whole post.
Lizzie Frainier at The Times (then Telegraph), who gave me lots of tips on pitching, and India Dowley, who was at SUITCASE, and commissioned my first ever paid piece (I sent her a completed article rather than a pitch because I didn't know that wasn't how it worked!). She also gave me the advice of writing about somewhere rogue to start with to have little competition, which probably planted the seed of my move to Lyon!
Carey Davies who used to head up The Great Outdoors was great too, and gave me lots of positive feedback and reassurance when I was starting out.