How To Get Editors to Respond to Pitches (The Same Day!)

Learn the trade secrets freelance writers swear by...

The city of love and inspiration

Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

I took some time off from work and made a personal trip to Paris to celebrate my husband’s birthday!

We first went to Paris in 2002, when we had just gotten married and had a layover traveling from India to Atlanta. It was our first international trip and we were super excited. To prepare for the visit, I put stickers in French all over our home so we could learn a few words to immerse in the culture. I put in lots of research to create an action packed itinerary so in just 48 hours, we saw all the highlights, and had time to walk around the quaint neighborhoods, eat macrons and shop for handcrafted chocolates. It’s a different story that we stayed at a tiny hotel room near the red light district and shared pre-fixed meals to save money!

This time, I decided to relive this experience - skipping the touristy part - we still walked 10 miles a day and ate 10,000 calories, washing down with bottles of champagne (now that we can afford it). Oh, and our 5-star hotel room had a balcony with a view of the Eiffel Tower :)

I did not grow up with the privilege of travel, and didn’t even dream of a life that I have today. Starting in India - USA - France, in 23 years, I have traveled to over 125 countries, experiencing bucket-list adventures that can fit into many lifetimes. Staring at the bubbles in my glass, I thanked my lucky stars!

My mantra - Dream big. Be grateful. Give back.

I love the power of connection. After reading my last Substack, so many of you reached out and I now have trips to Indiana and The Ozarks booked in the next few weeks!

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Book Your 2026 PR Masterclass Today

Unlock insider strategies from an award-winning travel and food journalist who has successfully pitched and published in top outlets worldwide. My PR masterclass will teach you how to craft irresistible pitches, build lasting media relationships, and turn ideas into headlines that editors can’t ignore.

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📚 Join Our Back-to-School Book Drive!

As kids head back to school, you have the chance to put the world in their hands—literally. My Beato Goes To children’s book series isn’t just a set of stories, it’s a passport to global adventure, empathy, and curiosity.

Here’s how you can be part of it:

✨ Build Your Own Library
Bring home the complete 5-book series and let your children or grandchildren travel the globe through Beato’s eyes.

🎁 Give the Gift of Adventure
Books make timeless presents. Stock up now for birthdays, holidays, or thoughtful “just because” surprises for friends, family, or colleagues.

💝 Donate to a Child in Need
Many charities, classrooms, and after-school programs are in urgent need of quality children’s books. Your donation could be the spark that inspires a lifelong love of reading.

Every book you buy has double impact—enriching your world and opening doors for a child who needs it most.

👉 Will you help us share these stories of culture, kindness, and connection this school season?

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How I Get Editors to Respond to My Pitches (Sometimes Within the Hour)

In the past week, I pitched to and heard back from editors at Travel+Leisure, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, NatGeo, AAA, and more.

If you’ve ever sent out a pitch to an editor and waited weeks—sometimes months—for a reply, you’re not alone. The truth is, editors are drowning in emails. Yet, more often than not, my pitches get opened and responded to quickly—sometimes within an hour.

How? It’s not luck. It’s strategy. Over the years as a freelance travel and food writer, I’ve honed the art of crafting pitches that grab attention and make it easy for editors to say “yes.” Here’s how you can do the same.