Hello, everyone. This is episode 101 of the Travel Writing World podcast, and it will be a short one.  In the introduction to episode 99, my recent interview with Pico Iyer, I mentioned that I am taking a break from my normal, fortnightly schedule of interviews in 2023 to focus on a few projects. Well, today I want to announce one of those projects — it is a book called The Hill of the Skull.  The Hill of the Skull is part photobook, part travel book. It will include photos and a narrative focusing on my visit to a sacred hill called the Hill of the Skull, which is a pilgrimage ..read more

Pico Iyer joins me on the podcast again. And this time we’re discussing his new book The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise.  As the subtitle reveals, The Half Known Life is a book about the idea of paradise. But it is also a book about living in the real world and embracing the unknown, topics that Pico and I chat about in today's podcast. We also talk briefly about Reading, Writing, Buddhism, Peter Matthiessen, Cal Flyn, and more. Purchase The Half Known Life by Pico Iyer If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on this page. If you use our links to mak ..read more

As you’ll remember from the announcement in episode 94, we’re publishing four of Bill Colegrave’s interviews here on Travel Writing World.  Today’s episode is Bill’s last interview, this one with Sara Wheeler. Now, most of you will be familiar with Sara for her books like Terra Incognita and The Magnetic North. And she wrote a biography of Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the author of the now-classic book, The Worst Journey in the World. Sara came on the podcast back in episode 83 to speak about Apsley Cherry-Garrard and his book.  Purchase Terra Incognita by Sara Wheeler If you decide to pur ..read more

Bill Colegrave joins me today to talk about his book Scraps of Wool: A Journey Through the Golden Age of Travel Literature, which is a collection of passages from some of the world’s best-known works of travel literature. As you’ll hear in the interview, Bill recorded interviews with Tony Wheeler, the late Alexander Frater, Sara Wheeler, and Michelle Jana Chan a few years back. And Bill has kindly agreed to broadcast these interviews on Travel Writing World. So, for the next four episodes, we’ll publish Bill’s interviews. Purchase Scraps of Wool by Bill Colegrave If you decide to purchase your ..read more

As you’ll remember from the announcement in episode 94, we’re publishing four of Bill Colegrave’s interviews here on Travel Writing World.  This is his third interview, this one with Michelle Jana Chan. Michelle is an award-winning journalist and Travel Editor of Vanity Fair. She is the author of Song, a novel about a boy who leaves his impoverished family in rural China to seek his fortune. Purchase Song by Michelle Jana Chan If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on this page. If you use our links to make a purchase, we will receive a few cents commission ..read more

As discussed in the previous episode, we’re publishing a few of Bill Colegrave’s interviews here on Travel Writing World.   Today is the first interview out of four, this one with Tony Wheeler who, along with his wife Maureen, founded Lonely Planet. Purchase Scraps of Wool by Bill Colegrave If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on this page. If you use our links to make a purchase, we will receive a few cents commission from Amazon at no additional cost to you. These funds help keep the podcast alive and ad-free. More episodes, newsletters, & support P ..read more

Jennifer Barclay joins me on today's episode and we’re talking about her book The Taverna by the Sea: One Greek Island Summer (Bradt 2022). In this episode, we talk about Jennifer’s fascination with living on the Greek islands and her experience working in Greece.  We also talk about her experiences as a literary agent and the process of selling travel books, including a bit about what publishers like to see. Purchase The Taverna by the Sea by Jennifer Barclay If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on this page. If you use our links to make a purchase, we w ..read more

Joining me today is Mary Novakovich. And we’re talking about her book My Family and Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia's Hinterland (Bradt 2022). In this episode, we talk about a rustic region in Croatia called Lika, where her family is from, and its appeal. We also talk a bit about travel literature about Croatia and her experiences finding a publisher. Purchase My Family and Other Enemies by Mary Novakovich If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on this page. If you use our links to make a purchase, we will receive a few cents commission from Amazon at ..read more

Hello, everyone. No interview today. But I do have some news. During the month of August, I’ll be traveling through the Andes mountains—from Santa Cruz, Bolivia overland to Cusco, Peru.  Every day, from August 2 until August 31, 2022, I will send an email documenting my experiences to subscribers of a “pop-up” newsletter I’m calling 30 DAYS IN THE ANDES. Each email will have several photographs and maybe a note. While I'm away, the podcast will go on. I have interviews scheduled through August.  Sign up for 30 DAYS IN THE ANDES. It’s free. And if you know someone who may enjoy this t ..read more

Joining me today is Robert Kaplan. And we’re talking about his newest book Adriatic: A Concert of Civilizations at the End of the Modern Age.  As you know, Robert is the author of many books, including The Ends of the Earth, An Empire Wilderness, and the controversial Balkan Ghosts. In this episode, we talk about why the Adriatic is so interesting historically and culturally, how the Adriatic might see another renaissance, the idea of travel writing as a "vehicle," and more.  Purchase Adriatic by Robert Kaplan If you decide to purchase your books from Amazon, please use our links on ..read more