A contributor to the New York Times, National Geographic, BBC Travel, and Lonely Planet (to name a few), David Farley is living the travel writing dream. When his career was just starting, though, he didn’t have a direct line to any editors; he had to prove himself. In this episode of the Travel Writing Podcast, he maps his rise from amateur to regular contributor to the biggest publications. This is your chance to learn how to get your foot in the door. Before you know it, you could be sent around the world to cover stories that will be read by thousands.
David is primarily a food travel writer but has covered various topics, from pianos in Prague to tracking down Jesus’ lost foreskin (yes, you read that right!). He has an insatiable curiosity that helps him seek out the experts, using their passion to turn an idea into an enthralling story. Beyond writing for top magazines, he has also published several books, the latest being “Underground Worlds: A Guide to Spectacular Subterranean Places.” He’s a master of uncovering and demystifying the stranger aspects of travel, always doing so with openness and enthusiasm.
In our conversation, David takes us through how he finds stories and prepares to delve into new topics. He explains why he doesn’t care how many countries you’ve been to and how his biggest stories (such as his contributions to the New York Times’ 36 Hours column) have the power to change people’s lives.
Listen to the full conversation here:
(You can also listen on Spotify or iTunes.)
News: Join David Farley at the next travel writing workshop! Ask your questions and learn how he gets published in today’s top publications time and time again. Learn more.
