Building a Career in Travel Writing: An Insider's Guide w/ Lonely Planet Author, Cristian Bonetto #113

Ready to turn your passion for travel into a writing career? 

In this episode, you'll hear from Melbourne-based travel writer Christian Bonetto, who’s authored over 50 travel guides for publications like Lonely Planet and Hardie Grant. 

Together with host Kim Anderson, you'll explore the art of travel writing, learn how to capture the beauty of the unexpected and discover how to find new stories in every destination.

Christian takes you on his journey from a curious traveler to a guidebook author, sharing how his fascination with America and Canada fueled his career. He also dives into his connection to Italy and how his heritage shapes his writing and the complex feelings that come with it.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the reality of travel writing, from researching cities like Venice to balancing deadlines and uncovering fresh perspectives. 

If you're curious about the ins and outs of travel writing or want to know what it takes to make it, this episode has all the insights you need!

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• What's a work trip really like for a travel writer?
• Why local writers aren't the best option when creating travel guides
• The surprising beauty of Los Angeles 
• Exploring up-and-coming neighborhoods to predict a city's future

RESOURCES:
Connect with Cristian: Website, Instagram

⚡ ROUND BOOK:
The Ancient Shore by Shirley Hazzard

TIMESTAMPS:
06:20 - Sometimes what we want to do is right in front of our eyes.
20:20 - People sometimes think that travel writing is just a paid holiday.
20:43 - Curiosity, discipline, and enthusiasm to go down. 
21:29 - Guidebooks can play an important part in your travel planning.
24:10 - Pitching articles is a great way to break into the  travel writing industry 

We're now booking guests for 2025!
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