We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Lamagna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

This is such a simple question but so incredibly hard to answer for travel writers. Every place I wander to is potentially a story and it is very difficult to turn off that side of my brain when I truly need to vacate. Vacations can be both a blessing and a curse for travel writers. One side is that many vacations might actually be free since PR companies and tourism boards might pay for your flights or accommodations. You might be able to see some incredible places and dine at michelin star restaurants because of your title “travel writer”. But, sometimes it’s hard for me to let loose and just enjoy being in a new place rather than spinning it into a story of some sort.

For now, I have press trips where I know I’ll have to write all the notes and spin all the stories I can. But then I also have vacations with my family where I leave my laptop behind and try my best to switch off my thoughts about potential stories.

It’s so important to take a break especially as the owner of a small business. It’s very easy to get burnt out so taking time away is crucial. It helps to plan well ahead when wanting to take time off – this way your clients have ample time to prepare for your absence and be accommodated if they need it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a freelance travel writer in the sustainable travel and eco-tourism world. As a freelancer I am not bound to one publication and, instead, write for anyone who will accept my pitches. I spent a decade as an ecologist before I turned to freelance writing to have a more flexible and autonomous lifestyle.

I am most proud of the books that I’ve written: Hiking with Kids New England and Swimming Holes of New England (plus Haunted Hikes of New England coming fall of 2025).

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing my words change someone’s mind about something. I spent over a decade trying to good work in the environmental field but really felt like I had gotten nowhere. I feel like my work as a freelance writer has made more of difference in the environmental industry than any work I did for state or federal governments.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Doing good work so that other editors and publications will open your email when they see it. Despite the outdoor/travel industry being huge, PR folks, tourism boards, editors, etc. all talk. You can easily be blacklisted as well as get sent good pieces based purely on your reputation of how you work with others. So always show your best self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarahlamagna.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlamagna
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lamagna-b2155727/
• Twitter: https://x.com/sarahlamagna

Image Credits

Lindsay Fairchild