The author goes on to stress that “being there is never enough.” You have to research before and after your trip, extensively. The Travel Writer’s Handbook teaches you the rudiments of marketing as well, since once you’ve written your story, or your book, you’ve got to sell it. Zobel covers the basics such as what to pack, and what to look for during your trip to your destination, because it’s sometimes as important as the destination itself. Pretend you’re a tourist, she advises.

Extensively covered is the how-to of writing itself. Not punctuation, spelling, or sentence and paragraph construction. That, you’re supposed to know beforehand. If you don’t, it’s five sharp cracks with a ruler across the knuckles for you! She also teaches you why you should learn to use a camera, and the very basics of photo composition. Patterns for travel articles are given, making it simpler for the rank amateur to write a decent travel story.

Zobel even goes into the financial side of things: what can you deduct as legitimate expenses and what backup to keep. Finally, she advises the reader of the inherent responsibility that goes with writing travel articles. Negative articles don’t sell, as a rule. But a story that ultimately induces a traveler to follow your advice, then leaves a sour taste in the traveler’s mouth, does nobody any good. Responsible travel writing is a must.

Which is, I’d guess, a valid rule for any type of writer.

If there were a Professor Emeritus of travel writing for English language writers, it would be Louise Purwin Zobel. Her book and her teachings have been cited by travel writers the planet over, by thousands of students, by the many universities, colleges and online learning centers who’ve used her teachings, and by librarians and conference organizers. Even professional travel writers unanimously promote her book. If you own only one book on travel writing, it should be The Travel Writer’s Handbook.