By Aston Bornface
The international writing market pays well. I know this because I’ve written for multiple international publications outside Africa, where I live. I want to tell you the story of how I got my first pitch accepted as an African writer. I’m sharing this because when I was trying to figure out how to write for international publications, I couldn’t find anyone who had broken down their journey well.
I still remember that exciting feeling I got when Eva, an assignment editor at Fodor’s Travel, sent me an email saying she wanted to commission my pitch. I had sent my pitch after coming across a call for pitches from editors in the Freedom With Writing newsletter. For context, Fodor’s has been around since 1936. It’s among the most popular travel media brands in the world. The article I pitched was a food guide to Kenya’s must-try dishes titled: Kenya’s Real Big Five: The Must-Try Dishes That Deserve a Safari of Their Own.
This is the story of how I did it, what the pitch looked like, and what other writers need to know to increase the chances of their pitches getting accepted.
1. The Assignment
Fodor’s publishes a section called “Experiences.” This section covers interesting stories around food, culture, and other kinds of stories that bring a place to life. The moment I came across their editor’s post seeking pitches, I decided to send my pitch. I began by carrying out robust research and understanding their submission guidelines.
My topic: Kenya’s “Big Five Wild Animals,” was based on a safari term most people already knew. This angle gave the article a clear structure and was a strong enough hook that anyone could immediately understand.
The rate for my piece was $350 for 1500 words.
2. The Pitch, Broken Down
Here is the pitch I sent, and why each part was built the way it was.
Subject: Pitch: Kenya’s Real Big Five: The Must-Try Dishes That Deserve a Safari of Their Own
Hi Eva,
Kenya is famous for its Big Five animals. But there is another set of five that every visitor should encounter before they leave: the dishes that have fed, defined, and celebrated Kenya for generations.
I’d like to pitch a food guide to Fodor’s “Experiences” section built around Kenya’s culinary Big Five — ugali, nyama choma, omena, mukimo, and Swahili coastal cuisine. Each dish carries its own story, its own ritual, and its own argument for why Kenya deserves a place on any serious food traveler’s map. I have eaten all of these foods throughout my life and can write about them from direct personal experience.
I have been writing professionally for over five years across brand and editorial. My portfolio is here: [link]
I can deliver 1,500 words within two weeks of your confirmation.
Best regards,
Aston Bornface
3. What Worked and Why
- The subject line
“Pitch: Kenya’s Real Big Five: The Must-Try Dishes That Deserve a Safari of Their Own
I intentionally used the word “Pitch” at the beginning so the editor immediately understood the context of the email. Editors go through thousands of pitches, so whenever I send a pitch, I always strive to be clear and concise.
- Opening line and body
After the subject line, my opening line was equally straight to the point. I named the Experiences section by name, which told the editor I had actually read the publication and understood where the story belonged. I named the five dishes. I gave reasons the story had weight. I also described the concept, named the five dishes, explained why the Big Five framing worked for a travel audience. When pitching an article, the idea is to show the editor what the article would feel like.
- The credentials
In my pitch, I notified my editor that I had been writing professionally for over five years, working across brand and editorial. I then linked to my portfolio. I did not oversell it. I finished off by offering a specific word count and a delivery timeline.
The full pitch was under 300 words.
4. After the Commission
After my pitch was accepted, my editor sent a commission email confirming the assignment. Eva’s commission email had several key details including the rate, proposed deadline, and further inquired whether I had PR contacts who could assist with sourcing images for the article.
On images, Fodor’s, unlike most travel websites, does not always rely on the writer to source photography. The email also included a link to Fodor’s 2025 Writer’s Guidelines.
5. Writing and Submitting
Fodor’s was quite specific about how to submit the finished article. I had to send the finished article to a dedicated filing address with my editor copied. My submission email also had to include what Fodor’s calls a Content Order which included information like the title of the piece, the total word count, and the agreed rate. This is how the payment process is triggered. If you don’t submit a Content Order, you don’t get paid.
6. Payment Setup
To receive payment, I had to set up a sequoia account. Fodor’s processes payments through the sequoia vendor portal. It’s advisable to set up a Sequoia account on the same day you receive your commission so as to make follow-ups and get paid as quickly as possible.
7. Publication and Your New Clip
Once I finished the article and Content Order, my Sequoia account was activated. The editorial team took over the process from here and I wasn’t contacted to make any edits.
Here’s my published article: https://www.fodors.com/world/africa-and-middle-east/kenya/experiences/news/kenyas-must-try-dishes
Challenges for African Writers
As an African writer, getting my article published was only half the journey. Here are some of the other hurdles I crossed and how I handled each one.
- Payment
Like many publications, Fodor’s supports PayPal. This was convenient for me as a Kenyan writer. Many African writers aren’t able to receive payment via PayPal. If you live in countries like Nigeria, Ghana or the Central African Republic, you may need to explore alternative platforms like Wise or Payoneer depending on their local access.
- Time zones
My editor, like most international editors, was based in the U.S. This meant we were never on the same clock. I had to research my editor’s time zone so I could send my follow-ups at ideal times. By doing so, my emails often reached her at a time when she was probably just starting her day.
- Clips
The biggest challenge for me and many writers trying to break into international publications is proof. Most editors ask for published pieces, preferably from recognized platforms. Lucky for me, I’d written for a few platforms, although most of them were not very popular. If you’re just starting out, platforms like Freedom with Writing can open that first door. You can get training on how to pitch, and links to paid jobs and editors accepting pitches. At the end of the day, your editor is just looking for something trustworthy to click.
The Takeaway
Looking back, getting published internationally isn’t about being in the right city or knowing the right people. It’s about sending a pitch that is clear, specific, and easy to say yes to. There are multiple barriers for people residing in different countries, especially in Africa. With the right tools and a bit of persistence, anyone can get published on any global platform. Your first paid international byline is the hardest one. After that, the door stays open.
Aston Bornface is a digital markets and travel writer, with work featured in international publications like Fodor’s travel. They’ve crafted destination content published on TripAdvisor and Hala Yalla. Whether they’re managing social media or exploring Kenya’s culinary “Big Five”, their goal is always to create content that converts and stories that stick.
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