Side Quest
Get Paid To Write About Your Strange Travel Adventures
When: Monday, August 25, 2025
5 - 7 pm Mountain / 7 - 9 pm Eastern
Where: Live 2-hr class on Zoom
If you sign up and can't make it, you'll also receive the recording of the live class, the slide deck, my pitch guide “From Zero to Bylines" with my pitch template, a list of publications that pay for travel pieces and their submission info, and a reading list of excellent travel writing for inspiration.
You'll also get a chance of pitching Dylan your idea live, and getting feedback on your pitch or draft piece.
Cost: $47
Note: If you're a monthly member of Unmentionables, check your inbox for a 50% code. If you're an annual or founding member of Unmentionables, check your inbox for your invite. This class is free as part of your membership.
DANI SUMNER
"The thing about Juliane is she wants us all to succeed and have a seat at the table. In fact, she not only wants us there, she pulls up a chair for us, pours us a cup of coffee.
Her classes and the things she brings to the world are magical, insightful and empowering!
I couldn’t recommend her more!"
SUSANNAH WORTH
"There's something about the honesty and openness with which Juliane shows up - to host, to teach, to write, to talk - that gives me permission to do the same.
And, for someone who wants to be sharing more of their writing, getting more of my ideas out of my head and into the world, that is utterly invaluable.
The fact that she has a ton of writing wisdom and experience to share as well made this class a joyful double-whammy of "you can do it!" and "here's how!" I cried, I felt seen, I scribbled a ton of notes... and I am writing. Thank you!"
DUFFLYN LAMMERS
"Juliane is genuine, generous, and insightful in her instruction about both constructing a personal essay and pitching one.
The resources she offers alone are enough to take this class.
But you'll also be entertained and educated and walk away a better writer."
HEY,
I’m Juliane
with one n.
I run Unmentionables on Substack and ghostwrite books for Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Penguin Random House, work with Navy SEALs, Apple Executives, and Ironman athletes, and freelance for HuffPost, Wired, Insider, and The Rumpus.
Guest Expert
Dylan Thuras
Dylan Thuras is the Co-Founder of award-winning travel brand Atlas Obscura, widely celebrated for building the definitive, community-driven platform for discovering the world's hidden wonders, hosting unique online and in-person experiences, and leading once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Atlas Obscura's compelling stories about the secret apartment atop the Eiffel Tower, bridges built out of living roots, a temple shaped like a chicken, or an island ruled by cats, inspire curiosity and awe in fellow explorers. Atlas Obscura publishes bestselling guides on these magical places and their delicious gastronomies, including “Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders,” and “Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide.”
As the father of two little adventurers, Dylan co-authored the New York Times bestselling book “Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid.”
Side Quest
$47
What Even is this?
Writing
The secrets of writing awe-inspiring travel pieces publications will buy.
How to choose what type of travel piece to write (service piece, essay, cultural reporting, guidebook).
Do you have to pick a niche (e.g., food, eco-tourism, cultural heritage)? What's the difference between a cultural niche and a market niche?
How do you get into travel writing when you have zero bylines?
Do you have to travel to a place to write about it or can you make money writing about the place you live?
Can you get paid for a trip and then write about it? Does this still happen, or is this a crazy dream?
Pitching
How and where to pitch your travel piece.
Publications that pay for travel content.
How is Atlas Obscura different from other travel websites?
How to write for Atlas Obscura and pitch Dylan.
What is Atlas Obscura interested in and what is Dylan looking for specifically?
Q&A
Juliane and Dylan discuss live participants' questions about writing and pitching travel pieces, review the pitch template and examples of the best and worst pitches Dylan has received. Participants will have a chance to pitch their ideas and get live feedback.
How Does This Work?
Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive the Zoom invite for the live class plus a class recording and all the resources.
What Resources?
The two-hour class recording with Juliane & Dylan.
The slide deck with all the information.
Pitch guide “From Zero to Bylines” including Juliane's pitch template.
A list of publications that pay for travel pieces and their submission/pitching guidelines.
A curated list of Dylan's favorite travel pieces for inspiration.
The examples from participants we've reviewed in class.
Side Quest is for you if: