Writing for a living ?

[Kapinga626]

I like to read .... A lot !
My favorite type of books are travel books . Not guidebooks , but books written about first hand experiences of people visiting unique places .

Are there any members who have done it ? Considering it ?

I've had people tell me before that there is really no money in it . That people who write travel books are writing to basically enhance their resume - so to speak . That they write in order to set themselves up for consulting / lecturing / teaching gigs .
I've also heard that travel books rarely make it to a secound printing .

So I guess my question is ; Is the compensation worth the effort ?

I've always been curious about this .

[Jackal]

I've also heard that travel books rarely make it to a secound printing.

I think it might also depend in which country you publish your book. Americans are extremely closed-minded when it comes to travelling and foreign countries, so it's no surprise to me that travel book aren't popular in the US. Perhaps travel books might sell better in Britian or Australia.

[Think Different]

Here's my guess. If your target audience is Americans, I'd stick with the very basic, well-worn topics of journeys through Italy (nothing south of Rome, though), Paris, or the French Provence/Riviera. I don't know many other places that would interest the typical American, unless you wrote about journeys in the US, such as following Route 66 or something.