In the first of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to tell you about Jack Adler.

In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.

Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.

This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.

So, here goes . . . Jack Adler comin’ at ya.

Jack Adler has over 25 years’ experience writing about travel. Five books he’s written are: Consumer’s Guide To Travel, Exploring Historic California, Companion Guide To Southern India, There’s a Bullet Hole In Your Window, and Travel Safety (co-authored). Many of his articles have appeared in various newspapers and magazines. He has been a columnist, on a freelance but weekly basis, for the Los Angeles Times’ travel section. His columns have also run in the San Francisco Examiner, Westways Magazine, and Cruise Travel Magazine. He also was a columnist/editorial writer for Better Business Travel, a nationally distributed newsletter and a columnist for TravelAssist, an electronic magazine.

Currently, he’s the leader/chief content provider for Aantare’s travel bulletin board and a columnist for Travel World International, an electronic magazine. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association.

Jack has taught a course in Travel Journalism for many years at UCLA Extension, and a course in Feature Writing for the Writer’s Digest School.

To get to know Jack a little better and how he views the world of travel writing, here’s a little more:

Dream Jobs To Go Title
How to Break in As a Travel Writer

Current Profession
Journalist/Writer/Teacher

What Would You Do If It Weren’t Travel Writing?
I would be writing and researching stories and other materials for myself. I would continue teaching travel writing at UCLA Extension.

Life Philosophy
Be sensitive to other people, and try to do work that you enjoy.

Favorite Food
Steak and spaghetti

Favorite Read
War and Peace

Favorite Authors
Tolstoy, Dickens

Favorite Sports
Baseball, Football, Basketball

Favorite Travel Destination
Italy

Favorite Music
Classical

Favorite Movie
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Favorite Place
Florence, Italy

Favorite Country
Italy

Hobbies
Reading, making collages

Favorite Quotation:
Never send to know for whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee

Favorite Drink
Negroni

Why Do You Live Where You Live?
I live in Los Angeles because I moved here from New York a long time ago to take a job. It was my second time in California, as I went to college in Berkeley and always wanted to return to the state (though not necessarily in Los Angeles).

If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be?  Why?
I’d probably want to go back to the Bay Area, though not necessarily in San Francisco. I would consider living overseas, somewhere near Florence as well.

The Greatest Things About Writing Your Book Are:
Stimulating readers to start writing and submitting travel articles.

If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Travel Writing, What Would You Say?
Read as many travel publications as possible, figure out a subject that motivates you, then write the story, edit it carefully, and send it out. Don’t be disappointed by any rejections; it’s part of the business and everyone gets them.

If An Older, Career-Changer Approached You About Getting Into Travel Writing, What Would You Say?
Be careful about burning down any economic bridges. Freelancing is a tough business and it can be hard to make ends meet, especially when getting started. Begin by writing in your free time and develop a strategy on what markets to approach first.

The Most Important Piece of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Travel Writing?
Be accurate and offer specifics, not just generalities.

Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into Travel Writing?
Packing a suitcase and traveling is the best way to accurate writing.

How Would You Define Success?
In the public eye, success has to be measured in some fashion by recognized achievements, which doesn’t have to be commercial. On a private and personal basis, success is more one trying to achieve, with the measure of success higher with each achievement. But I do believe in the maxim that it’s better to try and to fail than not to have tried at all.
Thanks for that, Jack.

Now, any questions anyone?

Please post to the Comments section here and we’ll see if we can help.

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