Jobs

Become an author

Backpacker sitting on a park bench writing.

Each month we receive many applications from people who want to be authors for Lonely Planet. We read them all, then invite those with promise to submit a writing sample. We set the bar high.

Guidebooks

Last year out of over 1000 applications we hired 28 authors. We have more than 300 skilled and experienced freelance authors working on guidebooks from Sydney to Senegal and currently all our needs are met, so for the next six months we're not recruiting. If you're interested in being an author for LP, come back to this part of the site in early 2010 for the latest details, and if you have what we're looking for, drop us a line.

Book Proposals

Lonely Planet is currently accepting submissions for travel literature. Fancy yourself as the next Bill Bryson? Know how to spin a yarn that gets people hankering to hit the road? We'd love to read it.

All travel literature submissions must contain:

  • A one page synopsis
  • The author's view of the potential market/readership of the book.
  • Details of the author's background and qualifications (please include a resume)
  • The first three chapters or 5000 words, whichever is longer

Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered.

Applications will not be returned so please keep a copy of your work.

So, think you fit the bill? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Send your submission to:

Publishing Administrator
Lonely Planet Publications
Locked Bag 1
Footscray VIC 3011
AUSTRALIA

Or email it to:
recruitingauthors@lonelyplanet.com.au

Currently we only accept submissions for the travel literature genre, and we can't accept, or respond to, any submissions for pictorial, reference, activity books or other travel guidebooks.