James Durston
@jamesdurston.bsky.social
Journalist, dad, runner, reader, also creator of the Travel Writing Skool, a community for travel writers.
Pinned
James Durston
@jamesdurston.bsky.social
· Nov 25
What Editors Want | James Durston | Substack
For freelance writers and journalists - lists of stories editors want, interviews with working editors and writers, advice tips and profitable tricks. Click to read What Editors Want, by James Durston...
whatedswant.substack.com
WhatEdsWant now collects 75 calls for pitches every week (up from 50). Take a look: whatedswant.substack.com/https://what...
My interview with a guy who had zero experience as a travel writer 6 months ago, and now is published (and paid) by BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, The Independent, Conde Nast Traveler, Food, Wine, Travel Mag and more. Highly inspiring and motivating stuff: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cpB...
How to sell stories to BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure with no experience
YouTube video by Travel Writing Skool
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
My interview with a guy who had zero experience as a travel writer 6 months ago, and now is published (and paid) by BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, The Independent, Conde Nast Traveler, Food, Wine, Travel Mag and more. Highly inspiring and motivating stuff: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cpB...
Are you a tech writer in Latin America, or a health/wellness writer in Hudson valley? A couple of pitch calls here may be of interest: pitchwhiz.com/pitch-calls
September 8, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Are you a tech writer in Latin America, or a health/wellness writer in Hudson valley? A couple of pitch calls here may be of interest: pitchwhiz.com/pitch-calls
Freelance journos… Who needs a 'pitching agent'?
Now when you create a 'pitch packet' on Pitchwhiz it goes to a page where editors can review and maybe buy it.
Try it - create a pitch packet (or three) and make it public. Pitchwhiz will try and sell it for you.
»»»» Pitchwhiz.com
Now when you create a 'pitch packet' on Pitchwhiz it goes to a page where editors can review and maybe buy it.
Try it - create a pitch packet (or three) and make it public. Pitchwhiz will try and sell it for you.
»»»» Pitchwhiz.com
PitchWhiz - Directory of Freelance Writers & Journalists
Pitchwhiz.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Freelance journos… Who needs a 'pitching agent'?
Now when you create a 'pitch packet' on Pitchwhiz it goes to a page where editors can review and maybe buy it.
Try it - create a pitch packet (or three) and make it public. Pitchwhiz will try and sell it for you.
»»»» Pitchwhiz.com
Now when you create a 'pitch packet' on Pitchwhiz it goes to a page where editors can review and maybe buy it.
Try it - create a pitch packet (or three) and make it public. Pitchwhiz will try and sell it for you.
»»»» Pitchwhiz.com
More than 90 recent calls for pitches in today's What Editors Want bulletin, going out in a couple hours. >> whatedswant.substack.com
What Editors Want | James Durston | Substack
For freelance writers and journalists - lists of stories editors want, interviews with working editors and writers, advice tips and profitable tricks. Click to read What Editors Want, by James Durston...
whatedswant.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:55 AM
More than 90 recent calls for pitches in today's What Editors Want bulletin, going out in a couple hours. >> whatedswant.substack.com
I’ve now done 15 story pitch reviews in the Travel Writing Skool, and with a bit of help from AI, derived the key lessons. Here they are:
How to sell a travel article: 15 essential points for your pitch
>>>>>>
How to sell a travel article: 15 essential points for your pitch
>>>>>>
July 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I’ve now done 15 story pitch reviews in the Travel Writing Skool, and with a bit of help from AI, derived the key lessons. Here they are:
How to sell a travel article: 15 essential points for your pitch
>>>>>>
How to sell a travel article: 15 essential points for your pitch
>>>>>>
Always love visiting Japan, and not just for the electric bidet gadgets (when will the rest of the world realize that washing is better than wiping? And squatting better than sitting?) But because it's so easy to find peace. Just walk any side street in the evening. No bustle, no hustle, just quiet.
June 7, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Always love visiting Japan, and not just for the electric bidet gadgets (when will the rest of the world realize that washing is better than wiping? And squatting better than sitting?) But because it's so easy to find peace. Just walk any side street in the evening. No bustle, no hustle, just quiet.
Finally a Psychology degree, five media platform launches and 25 years of journalism pays off!
May 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Finally a Psychology degree, five media platform launches and 25 years of journalism pays off!
For at least an hour Pope Leo was being called Pope Leon, perhaps thanks to the BBC notification writer. #influence #callthecopyeditor
May 8, 2025 at 7:09 PM
For at least an hour Pope Leo was being called Pope Leon, perhaps thanks to the BBC notification writer. #influence #callthecopyeditor
Anyone else quite enjoy seeing typos in posts and messages these days, because it means chatgpt wasn't involved?
April 30, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Anyone else quite enjoy seeing typos in posts and messages these days, because it means chatgpt wasn't involved?
In China even the latrines look like pandas
April 12, 2025 at 2:30 AM
In China even the latrines look like pandas
This place really comes into its own after winter
March 16, 2025 at 7:18 AM
This place really comes into its own after winter
Just compiled a massive list of travel publications and what they pay, with contributor guidelines, where I could find it all. It's yours too if you want it: travelwriteearn.com/publications...
Freelance travel writing jobs - 259 publications that buy travel articles (2025 edition) | Travel Write Earn
A selection of publications, print and online, that offer freelance travel writing jobs, including the fees paid and links to submission guidelines.
travelwriteearn.com
February 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Just compiled a massive list of travel publications and what they pay, with contributor guidelines, where I could find it all. It's yours too if you want it: travelwriteearn.com/publications...
oh to be a recent college grad again...
"You will be driving around the country in the NutMobile promoting Planters Peanuts. You’ll be responsible for putting on marketing events.
Travel expenses, meals, and room and board are covered for a year, in addition to a salary."
"You will be driving around the country in the NutMobile promoting Planters Peanuts. You’ll be responsible for putting on marketing events.
Travel expenses, meals, and room and board are covered for a year, in addition to a salary."
January 15, 2025 at 6:12 PM
oh to be a recent college grad again...
"You will be driving around the country in the NutMobile promoting Planters Peanuts. You’ll be responsible for putting on marketing events.
Travel expenses, meals, and room and board are covered for a year, in addition to a salary."
"You will be driving around the country in the NutMobile promoting Planters Peanuts. You’ll be responsible for putting on marketing events.
Travel expenses, meals, and room and board are covered for a year, in addition to a salary."
Love the design of the NYT's 52 list. Also I've only been to a handful, so a genuine list of places I need to get to... Apparently as I am a subscriber any shares of this article I make are free to you! So dive in... www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
52 Places to Go in 2025 (Gift Article)
Where will the new year take you? Kick-start your travel plans by selecting favorites from our annual list.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Love the design of the NYT's 52 list. Also I've only been to a handful, so a genuine list of places I need to get to... Apparently as I am a subscriber any shares of this article I make are free to you! So dive in... www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Interviews with travel writers, editors and publishers now being added to the WhatEdsWant Substack channel. This is the first of the new batch, with travel writer/author Lottie Gross, discussing dog-friendly travel, and the pros and cons of niching down. whatedswant.substack.com/p/niche-vs-g...
Niche vs generalist: Interview with 'dog-friendly travel' writer Lottie Gross
I discuss the pros and cons of 'niching down' as a travel writer.
whatedswant.substack.com
January 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Interviews with travel writers, editors and publishers now being added to the WhatEdsWant Substack channel. This is the first of the new batch, with travel writer/author Lottie Gross, discussing dog-friendly travel, and the pros and cons of niching down. whatedswant.substack.com/p/niche-vs-g...
Want to join our most excellent Travel Writing Skool for just $10/month before it goes up to $24 tomorrow?
- calls for pitches every day
- million-dollar travel blogging masterclass
- resources and training
- prizes and rewards
- pitch and story critiques
>>> www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
- calls for pitches every day
- million-dollar travel blogging masterclass
- resources and training
- prizes and rewards
- pitch and story critiques
>>> www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
December 31, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Want to join our most excellent Travel Writing Skool for just $10/month before it goes up to $24 tomorrow?
- calls for pitches every day
- million-dollar travel blogging masterclass
- resources and training
- prizes and rewards
- pitch and story critiques
>>> www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
- calls for pitches every day
- million-dollar travel blogging masterclass
- resources and training
- prizes and rewards
- pitch and story critiques
>>> www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
I recently started a travel writing community with several other top journos, authors and bloggers, and if you join before 2025 there's a big discount on offer: www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
December 22, 2024 at 7:19 AM
I recently started a travel writing community with several other top journos, authors and bloggers, and if you join before 2025 there's a big discount on offer: www.skool.com/mediamatrix/...
WhatEdsWant now collects 75 calls for pitches every week (up from 50). Take a look: whatedswant.substack.com/https://what...
What Editors Want | James Durston | Substack
For freelance writers and journalists - lists of stories editors want, interviews with working editors and writers, advice tips and profitable tricks. Click to read What Editors Want, by James Durston...
whatedswant.substack.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:28 PM
WhatEdsWant now collects 75 calls for pitches every week (up from 50). Take a look: whatedswant.substack.com/https://what...
Soggy days in the forest
November 24, 2024 at 8:01 PM
Soggy days in the forest
Using the chatgpt voice to text function and everything I say gets translated into Welsh... What the what?
November 23, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Using the chatgpt voice to text function and everything I say gets translated into Welsh... What the what?
Never used to be a morning runner, but I think that may change.
November 18, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Never used to be a morning runner, but I think that may change.
Lists Vs Starter Packs Vs Feeds... Can someone explain the difference?
November 18, 2024 at 7:06 AM
Lists Vs Starter Packs Vs Feeds... Can someone explain the difference?
Returned to the UK after 20 ish years abroad, immediately fell in love with the forest all over again.
November 17, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Returned to the UK after 20 ish years abroad, immediately fell in love with the forest all over again.