What to Pitch Right Now: Food & Wine, BBC Travel, Business Insider and More

Hello travel writers,

If you’re noticing that this week’s newsletter looks a little different, that’s because we’ve moved over to a new platform, Beehiiv. This means you’ll have (free) access to an archive of Be A Travel Writer newsletters that you can go back and reference any time you need a little refresher on pitching tips, trip ideas, or anything else we share here.

And speaking of pitching tips and ideas, here’s one: Every year around this time, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Afar, and most travel pubs big and small prepare to launch their own list of top destinations for the year ahead. (CNT just launched theirs today). 

These lists are always fun to browse, but if you’re a freelance travel writer, they’re more than that. These pubs are handing you direct insight into the destinations they’re prioritizing (or see as buzz-worthy, at the very least) in the year ahead. So go ahead and choose the destinations you know best, brainstorm, and send those pitches. “Hi [editor], I noticed you named [destination] one of the best places to travel in 2025... here is a timely, unique idea there.”

Calls for Pitches

Food & Wine: Stacey is seeking feature pitches for Food & Wine's print issue, specifically for "Travel Journal," which focuses on domestic U.S. destinations, and "Where to Go Next" pitches, which can highlight any destination around the globe. See more.   

BONUS: See Stacey’s feedback on the pitches she’s received so far.

Business Insider: Reminder that BI is always open to high-end restaurant pitches (especially with a timely/public figure tie-in). See more. 

The Grapevine and Beverage Master: Is looking for a new article writer for each magazine. Ongoing monthly work, interesting topics, competitive pay, nice folks. See more. 

Observer: Is looking for arts pitches for Dec. publication and beyond. Artist features (no Q&As), thoughtful art market analysis/business of art, art philanthropy analysis (def. need more here). See more.  

Business Insider: Is open to relocation/travel pitches (esp "from an expert"). Have you moved to a place you thought you'd love and had to move back? Have you been to all 50 states and know the best under-the-radar spots? Pitch! See more. 

Parenting Patch: Is looking for several writers to contribute list-based articles for Parenting Patch, a parenting website. See more. 

BBC Travel: Is looking for SpeciaList city guides for ski season featuring timely notable SpeciaList (not a ski instructor or anyone in the hospitality industry). See more.  

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Is looking for pitches for its holiday book for 2025, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas. This title will be released in time for the holidays in 2025. The deadline for submissions is JANUARY 31, 2025. See more. 

TODAY: Is looking for some holiday-related essays. What's your hack for dealing with all the presents your kids get? Do you have a holiday tradition you love, but your family hates? What's the best/worst gift you've ever given/received? See more. 

Full-Time Job Openings

InStyle: Is seeking an experienced digital news director to help drive celebrity, style, beauty, and entertainment coverage for InStyle  See more. 

Health: Is seeking an editor to join its team of health and editorial enthusiasts. If you are a highly organized, editorially driven, digitally savvy content expert who is dedicated to health information, this could be the job for you. See more. 

NPR: It’s Been a Minute, NPR’s home for thought-provoking conversations about the intersection of news and culture, seeks a creative, passionate, detail-driven senior editor who will shape the stories we tell and bring relevant and must-listen content to our growing audience. See more. 

Nerd Wallet: Is hiring a Lead Travel Writer to tell stories about travel, points, and more. See more. 

Bloomberg: Is looking for an experienced editor to join the leadership team at Bloomberg Pursuits, which sits at the intersection of lifestyle, luxury, and business. This editor will have a strong hand in shaping the full range of our coverage of food and drinks, travel, fashion, cars, watches and jewelry, fitness, the arts, and real estate. See more. 

Nat Geo: Is hiring a Digital Editor who contributes to and executes National Geographic’s visually rich and scientifically sourced digital storytelling. This editing role makes data-informed content decisions that drive results by creating relevant, timely, and conversation-worthy content with a National Geographic lens across platforms. See more. 

EF Educational Tours: Is hiring a Copywriter who thrives on coming up with killer ideas and inspiring copy. See more. 

One Place We Love

Nina is headed to Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe later this week, her first time at this beautiful new wellness-focused property, and her first time in the Mexican wine region (though it won’t be her first time enjoying Mexican-made wine). She’s looking forward to observing the hotel’s interesting design in person – and really, what’s not to love about a wellbeing journey that also involves some grenache? It’s called balance.

One Story We Love

Travel + Leisure launched their latest Destination of the Year package last week, all about Thailand. We always love working on this project and having the opportunity to deep dive into one special place. The introduction was written by Jeninne Lee-St. John, an industry friend of Nina’s, who is a Bangkok resident and editor in chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia. We highly recommend working with Jeninne if you can.

See you in class,

Stacey & Nina