So, You Want to Be a Travel Writer?

We rarely devote this space to advertising thought we'd make an exception for this --- a darned fine opportunity for anyone hoping to pursue travel writing as a career. This summer World Nomads will send one lucky aspiring travel writer to southeast Asia to learn the tricks of the trade from a few professionals. This no-strings Travel Writing Scholarship -- which includes a flight to southeast Asia from your home country -- is open to non-professional writers of any nationality.

You'll start in Singapore, where you'll shadow Rough Guides writer Richard Lim and help him update the guide. Then it's on to Bali where you'll get off the beaten track with Stuart McDonald, founder of mega travel website Travelfish (our preferred source, by the way, if we're looking for guidance in southeast Asia).

Finally, you'll embark on a food odyssey in Malaysia with Tin Cho Chaw, author of the beautiful cookbook hsa*ba (read our 2009 interview with Cho, here). After some time in Kuala Lumpur you'll head to Penang where you'll spend time with a few Penang-based food obsessives ... including me.

Applications must be accompanied by a short essay; the deadline is April 23, 2012. What are you waiting for?

Comments

[Kavey]

At one time, I thought I'd love to be a travel writer, and in some part of me, that's still true. But I realised that, even as an amateur, I just don't have the way with words that so many people do, not to mention that clever ability to create multiple distinct articles from one trip, all with different themes and audiences.

These days, I have fun writing the food blog, but I'll admit, a part of me would love to do this, though I'll not apply... think this is an opportunity for a younger, hungrier and more talented writer!

:)

[Marty]

Sounds like a great travel job to me!