Blog Coaching - Karli Drinkwater's first step to becoming a photojournalist

Budding photojournalist, Karli Drinkwater (seen left during pre-dive checks) is about to embark on a journey to fulfil her ambition to become a recognised diving photojournalist. 

She's got the drive and enthusiasm, but like many in her situation, she's not quite sure where to start. Getting your first by-line in any magazine often appears to be an insurmountable hurdle, which is why I'm featuring Karli's journey on this blog, to show how achievable realising this dream can be.

Over the next few weeks I'll be providing Karli with some ideas about where to start and in return Karli will provide this blog with a fly on the wall account of her journey.

Wanderlust magazine is one of the world's most respected travel magazines and for many photojournalists getting a by-line in this publication would be the pinnacle of their career. I believe Karli has what it takes to get published in the pages of this magazine through the back page Serendipities feature. Years ago the only opportunity to get your name in print was through the letters pages, however, as we are now in a far more media connected society many magazines have taken the steps required to ensure they keep up. One way is to provide readers with the opportunity to be part of more than just an online community, which is where Serendipities (a 'competition' for the best 250 word travel tale) steps in through Wanderlust's sister website GoWander. 

In each edition of Wanderlust, what the editorial team considers to be the three best submissions will be chosen for publication for Serendipities. This could well be a foot in the door - get published once and they might remember your name, twice and they may be wondering what else you could do for them. Wanderlust publishes excellent Contributor Guidelines which should provide you with a framework. There are also guidelines for the Serendipities "competition" on the GoWander website.

I've heard quite a few editors say how they often look towards their websites as a way of discovering new talent. Wanderlust go one step further by providing this rather marvellous opportunity. The challenge is to squeeze a travel tale into the 250 word count limit for this feature.

Before I would consider submitting something for this page I would do some research first - these should be Karli's first steps prior to writing anything:

Become really familiar with the guidelines for submission and treat these as the 'Golden Rules.'

Buy the current and a few back issues of Wanderlust and read the Serendipities which have been published.

Analyse them to see how they fit within the guidelines, what patterns have been successful.

Use this pattern as your framework (as it must be what the editorial team are looking for).

Remember - this isn't about creative writing, it's about 'creating writing...' (which the editor is bound to choose over other submissions).

Go through the GoWander Serendipities online submissions and size up the competition. I've already taken a look at the last two months worth and would hope Karli will do likewise. Who are they, have they been published before, how many submissions are there, have others in the GoWander community made any comments? How many 'stars' have been awarded to each one? Anything else of interest?

I'm hoping Karli will be able to provide an update on how she gets on with her first steps.

My next post will provide another similar opportunity to this one. Until then,

Keep Writing...

Brendan

  

       

  

 

Comments

[Karli Drinkwater]

This is the moment when you're standing at the base of the mountain, and as you look all the way to peak, you just think 'right, that's a bloody long way before I'll reach the top... deep breath'.

I'm used to starting at the very bottom of a very large pile and slowly creeping your way upwards – the world of journalism isn't for the faint-hearted. And neither is what I'm about to do; but I guess that's what makes it so fun. If everybody could just walk into the glory without the graft, then it wouldn't be as worthwhile would it?
So after reading Brendan's comments over and over, trying to soak it all up and use the nuggets of info for all they're worth, I'm now sussing out the competition as he suggested. I'm trying to get a feel for the publication as my first task – their style, tone and content. I've had a few chuckles reading other submissions and bracing myself for bringing out the big guns. It gets me all revved up when I size up competition because I can't help wanting to be better. Before even thinking about writing my bid for travel journalism prestige though I'm checking out the contributor guidelines like my life depends on it. I know if I don't give them what they're after it's a pointless exercise.

For the next few days I'll be getting my head stuck into Wanderlust magazines – not much of a hardship really since dreaming about the next adventure is one of my favourite pastimes! Wish me luck...

[Karli Drinkwater]

P.s. When I say I had a few chuckles - I meant because they were good and amusing articles, not because I thought they were rubbish! Just wanted to clear that up before I lost friends... not my style promise!