Getting into Guidebook Writing

Getting into Guidebook Writing Travel writing can be notoriously difficult to get into, but there is one sub-genre that encourages and relies upon more unknown freelance writers than perhaps any other: guidebook writing. You could just pack your bags, head off exploring, then contact publishers and hope for the best, but there are other ways. Here are some things to consider before taking the leap into guidebook writing. 1. Is this really the job for me? First of all, although this might sound obvious, find out what the job involves on a day-to-day basis, from pre-trip planning and destination research, to putting together the finished book. Chat with writers who have first-hand experience and ask lots of questions before deciding to contact publishers yourself. Forget glamorous and hedonistic journeys to exotic locations – instead think hard, often solitary, but interesting, work. If you love working independently, and you’re disciplined, adventurous, calm in a crisis, multi-lingual (it helps) and ready to try anything once, this might be the job for you. 2. Research publishers Once you’re ready to go for it, do your homework. Familiarize yourself with the different publishers out there and decide which ones to approach. Then it’s your task to prove to them why you would be the right person to write for them. When I first contacted a publisher about their forthcoming titles, I simply chose the one I knew best from using their guidebooks on my own journeys as a regular traveler. This was a definite advantage when I got the job, as I was already familiar with style, layout, maps etc, and it was a good selling point before I got a contract. 3. Are you the writer for the job? After choosing which publisher(s) to approach, you need to prove you’re the very writer they’ve been looking for. To be blunt, in order to write like an expert, you need to know your stuff. More importantly, you should convey this to the publisher, or you’ll be hard-pressed to persuade them to hire you, not to mention all the extra work you’re giving yourself if you choose a place you dont know well. Aim for a destination you’ve lived in or travelled extensively around, where you speak the language, have some contacts and can easily find your way around. 4. Research the market After choosing publishers and destination, check what books are already published, and most crucially, the publishing dates. If a guide to the destination of your interest was published recently, there won’t be a need for a new edition yet. Check if the publisher has any specialist geographical areas or cities and choose a publisher to match your own such areas of expertise. If they already cover the destination, bear in mind they may have a regular author who updates it, but don’t be put off. Guidebook writing is a changeable business with opportunities cropping up regularly. 5. Take stock of your skills and get mailing It helps your chances if you’ve been published before, but this isn’t crucial. Guidebook writing is quite a far cry from creative writing pursuits. An engaging writing style is a plus, but it’s even more important to be informative and accurate. Decide on your destination, research your favourite guidebook publishers and then you’re ready to drop them an email expressing an interest in writing for them, explaining why you’re the right person for the job. Finally, be patient, publishers can take awhile to get back to you. Contacting several will increase your chances. List of travel book publishers: publishersglobal.com/directory/subject/travel-publishers/