I am a travel writer and writing teacher, born in Paris and living in London. I write for UK newspapers and magazines, and lead the UK’s only MA in Nature and Travel Writing.
In 2022 I started teaching on the MA in Nature & Travel Writing at Bath Spa University, where I am now the Course Leader.
In 2019 my book The Travel Writer’s Way was published by Bradt Guides. This is currently the market-leading manual for aspiring writers who want to turn their travels into stories, whether for publication or just for fun. Colin Thubron has called it ‘the most complete, accessible and inspiring book of its kind’.
Since 2005 I have written freelance travel features for UK national newspapers and magazines, specialising in cultural and historical travel. Articles have appeared in National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveller, Sunday Times Travel, Wanderlust, Country Life, BBC Wildlife, The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Wexas Traveller and others.
In 2004 I set up Travellers’ Tales, the leading training agency for travel writers at all levels from beginners to professionals. I have led writing courses on location in Europe, Africa and Asia, and spoken at many travel festivals and events. I chaired the Travellers’ Tales Festival at the Royal Geographical Society in London, featuring the world’s greatest travel writers and photographers.
“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so I just kept on rolling under the stars.” – Jack Kerouac
From 1998 to 2005 I was the Editor of Wexas Traveller magazine, commissioning and interviewing some of travel’s most celebrated figures – such as Wilfred Thesiger, Paul Theroux, William Dalrymple, Bill Bryson, Steve McCurry, Don McCullin, Colin Thubron and Dervla Murphy.
In 1994 my travel writing life began with a journey across Africa coast to coast, from which I never really recovered. The book is still waiting to be completed….
I have judged many travel writing awards, including the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, the Dolman Prize, the Edward Stanford/Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year award, and the annual competitions of The Independent, the British Guild of Travel Writers and the New Zealand travel writers’ association. I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Alongside my writing career, I have tried to give something back by working for national and international charities. I have led communications programmes for charities involved in international aid, global policy research and the UK arts (details). I now undertake consultancy on charity communications.
I can be contacted on info@travellerstales.org