Welcome to “TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Week," where we highlight an active journalist or editor within the TravMedia community. We have so many amazingly talented, successful and inspirational professionals in our midst — let's meet Lara Picone.
Q. Where are you based?
Byron Bay, Australia.
Q. What outlet do you write for? Who is your audience? What are your travel specialties?
I write for Australian Traveller, International Traveller, Qantas, Weekend Australian, Delicious, Escape, and others here and there when they'll have me. My audience is anyone who loves travel and a good read – sometimes at the same time. I love covering a wide range of experiences, especially things I have never done before. I specialise in food, luxury, and design.
Q. What is a professional pet peeve?
Radio silence. A three-word response is better than not knowing.
Q. In your past professional life, you were …
I started out as an editorial coordinator at Qantas magazine; from there, I roamed about on news insert magazines, Donna Hay magazine, SBS Feast and was editor of Australian Traveller before turning to the freelance hustle.
Q. Where would you like to return to?
I would love to take my family to Lord Howe Island – it is a truly special place. It astonishes me it exists in NSW.
Q. What's on your bucket list?
I don't really have a bucket list (have a passport, will travel), although I do dream of living in Sicily for six months one day.
Q. Where do you travel for fun?
All travel is fun. I guess I'd be in the wrong job if it wasn't. But I do love a city jaunt now that I no longer live in one.
Q. Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …
Maybe that time I was low-level abducted in Marrakech.
Q. What advice would you give your younger professional self?
Freelance life can be tough, so try to appreciate that when you're on the other side. Also, timing is everything.
Q. What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on?
Worry less about AI, in terms of job security at least. A processing machine can never replicate the human experience. The observations of a good writer and their ability to uncover the layers of a destination – from the people to its particular idiosyncrasies – is what gives this job its interminable value. Anything can be a maker of lists and a regurgitator of facts, but to inspire longing and pique interest is something else entirely.
Q. How best should people contact you?
larapicone@gmail.com – thank you!
