Big announcement + gift guide season has officially started
Sharing my new contributor role at a major site! And an update on why you haven't heard from me in awhile.
Hi friends!
Long time, no talk, hey? A lot has happened in the 5 weeks since I published my last newsletter. I spent some time in Los Angeles, biking on the beach and enjoying the best vegan food in the whole country, only to come back home with Covid.
After recovering, I worked to play catch-up on my now-overdue assignments, started the process of searching for my first home, and continued training for my 79-mile bike ride for cancer research (there’s still time to donate, and I’d love your support!).
Then, hell week happened. I was outbid on the home I put an offer on. I got some devastating news about a close relative’s health. And a new-to-me client treated me like garbage when I told them I was having a family emergency.
To say I’m drained is an understatement.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though. In fact, I have several pieces of fantastic news to share! I wrapped up a story for a major publication that I know you all will be so excited to see when it comes out later this month. Some of my recent Forbes stories have gone viral. And…
Even bigger news: I joined Yahoo as a contributor to its lifestyle and travel pages!
In case you didn’t know, Yahoo’s the 11th most visited site in the world. They’ve given me a lot of creative freedom to tell stories about adventure and wellness travel, cycling, my favorite products, and just about anything else that piques my interest.
I remember seeing the famous Yahoo billboard back when I had moved to San Francisco in 2011 to get my start in magazine journalism. It was a challenging time for me, both personally and professionally, so to have the opportunity to write for the brand with the iconic sign now feels like a career milestone. I’m thrilled to be able to share my writing with such a large audience. More to come on the Yahoo front!
Seeking products for gift guides
Gift guide season is already here! Best Products has asked me to update two gift guides for the 2024 season:
60 Christmas Gifts for Men to Impress Any Guy on Your List
76 Christmas Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your Nice List
We’re swapping out old products for a couple dozen new ones in each story, and I’d love your suggestions! Here are some requirements & tips:
We’re prioritizing products available on Amazon (although other retailers can be considered). LMK if the product you’re pitching is on Amazon, please!
Looking for a variety of price points but we don’t want anything too cheap where it doesn’t feel giftable or feels cheesy—quality and taste should be at the forefront of all product selections.
Keep your pitch short! ~100-word description for a product is more than enough. I do not have time to read long pitches for these stories, unfortunately.
It’s important to think about different types of gift recipients that people who land on this list will be shopping for and their interests (think moms, runners, gardeners, hikers, etc.)—we’re looking for a mix of gifts that are universal and niche. If you have a suggestion for a specific recipient the gift you’re pitching could be great for, please say so!
NO IMAGES! I do not need them! Do not send them! Thanks!
Recently published stories
Dominica Will Change The Way You See The Caribbean (Forbes)
5 Must-Try Adventures Near Zion National Park (Forbes)
10 Best National Parks for Crowd-Free Hiking, According to a New Report (Forbes)
Why Saskatoon Is An Epic Girls’ Trip Destination (Forbes)
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024: Best Outdoor Adventure Gifts For Dads (Forbes)
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2024: Best Cycling Gifts For Dads Who Bike (Forbes)
Top 10 National Parks for Crowd-Free Hiking in 2024 (Yahoo)
I’m a travel writer with insomnia. Here are the 6 things I pack to sleep well on every trip. (Yahoo)
4 Best Cameras for Beginners Who Want to Level Up Their Photography Skills (Best Products)
How Sunday Scaries Sabotage Sleep — and 7 Ways To Soothe Them (Sleep.com)
Overnight Stays Add Fun — And Financial Stability — to Valley Farms (Hudson Valley Viewfinder)
⚡Flash Consulting sessions still available
I have several spots in my July calendar available for 30-minute Flash Consulting sessions if you want to work through any pitching challenges, brainstorm new story angles for a client, or get honest & helpful feedback from a real journalist (me!). Plus, all proceeds go to charity!
To lock in your spot, please make a $75 donation to my cancer research fundraiser. Once I see your donation come through, I’ll send you a link to the secret booking form for you to choose a time on my calendar. If July isn’t the right time for you, I have already made sessions available in August and September too.
Congratulations! That's so exciting. I have a personal Yahoo! email that's over twenty years old, so I'm pretty fond of the company.
Costa Mesa in Orange County has an amazing vegan scene--would love to have you on a visit sometime in the future.
Yay, congrats Joni - everything works out, right? :)