NATJA - North American Travel Journalists Association

Debra Barsotti

Biography

I began as a freelance writer, writing articles about community issues and events in the local weeklies. I moved forward religiously, crafting more expanded articles for the weekly diocesan newspaper that serves this area. I accidentally found my way into profile writing when I convinced the Indianapolis Monthly that I could write a short but zippy piece about an Indianapolis teacher who was going to Alaska for the Iditarod.

After that appeared, I contact the teachers alumni magazine and was given the opportunity to write her profile- and a number of other pieces for them. With those clips, I began pitching travel articles. I was fortunate to catch the eve of a few travel editors- at the Philadelphia Inquirer and NJ’s Asbury Park Press. With my own colorful photos complimenting my text, I had something to show other travel editors.

If only it were that easy! Yet these last 18 months, I have found some success. I have pitched ideas, tried different venues, and looked for more opportunities to take readers on a journey. Today I am able to say that I am a travel writer. My most recent venture into this realm was the launching of my travel column, “The Faithful Traveler.” It’s is in its infancy.

Credits

Fervor Magazine (formerly Cuizine Magazine; The Catholic Star Herald; the Trenton Monitor; The Arlington Catholic Herald; The Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Section; Asbury Park Press- Hometown News Travel Sections; The Retired Officers Magazine; Moravian College’s Alumni Magazine: Rowan University’s Alumni Magazine; Philadelphia Magazine’s Elegant Wedding (pending); Down Jersey Magazine and a variety of other regional publications.