We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Lamagna. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Hi Sarah, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
I always thought I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I set out with the desire to work in the outdoors when I was only a little girl which led me to three degrees in the environmental field. And after a handful of jobs, I landed the ultimate gig to work as an ecologist for the federal government. After five years of service and just six months after I had my first and only child, I was fired.
It was technically the second job I had been fired from – the first being just a blip in my professional career. The feelings I experienced were much like the different stages of grief except with an added healthy dose of shame. But since I had been thrown into stay-at-home-momhood, I tried to make the most of it for both my mental health and my kid’s well-being.
With my newfound time and freedom, we adventured all over. From Utah National Parks and boondocking in national forests to walks along the local river and riding the lightrail into the city. It was all this traveling and adventuring that made me start writing again – I used to as a young woman. I documented all our excursions and realized I wanted to have autonomy and flexibility with whatever job I chose next.
After taking a pitching course, I started landing gig after gig and working with some great editors to get my stories out there. I narrowed down my writing specialty to sustainable tourism and adventure travel which landed more gigs and got me on press trips. I’ve now been doing this for six years and can’t consider doing anything else with my life right now.
So in a way, getting fired led me to a job I love and am passionate about. I allowed myself to grieve the loss of a chapter in my life and then rewrote my story.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a freelance travel writer focusing on sustainable tourism, adventure travel, and environmental advocacy in the outdoor industry. I get to take my forestry and soil science education as well as my 13 years of professional ecology experience with me on every story I write. I’ve written two hiking guidebooks: Hiking with Kids New England (out now!) and Swimming Holes of New England (out May 7, 2024). I am currently under contract for a third (and my favorite one to research so far) book called Haunted Hikes of New England which should be out in September 2025.
There are a few things that make freelance travel writing special. One is that I get to work my own hours and have an extremely flexible schedule. If I want to take a day off and go romp around in the woods, I can. If my kiddo is sick, I can take time off easily. The second thing is that I get to travel to places I’m not sure I’d be able to go to. I’ve been on dozens of press trips that span all across the United States and a few countries in Europe. It’s not a vacation like many people think but it is loads of fun and getting to know people from around the world is an immense pleasure.
Currently, I have a book that is launching on May 7, 2024 called Swimming Holes of New England which is available for preorder now anywhere books are sold. I have a few events coming up throughout the summer including a few library presentations around New England. You can check out my website (https://sarahlamagna.com) to find all the information there.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge: communication, reliability, and willingness to accept critique.
If you want to get into the freelance writing world, those three qualities are KEY in advancing in this industry. Communication is the most important – being able to communicate effectively (i.e., getting details ironed out from editors, interviewing people, etc.) goes a long way in this industry. But being able to make deadlines and a reliable source of information will also gain major points from editors and publications. And then lastly, being able to graciously accept critique is also huge. Even 6 years in, I still get TONS of edits and it’s never personal (or it shouldn’t be). If anything, it makes you a better writer!
And one thing that I don’t think people who get into freelance writing realizes is that you must LOVE to write because you do a lot of it. Every story isn’t going to win a Pulitzer Prize or make it into NatGeo magazine, but you do have to pay your mortgage and electric bills. So be prepared to spend a ton of time at a computer and invest in some good blue light glasses and ergonomic office equipment.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Saying no, plain and simple.
As a freelancer in general, we’re taught to constantly chase and accept any gig that comes our way. That’s pretty much a one-way ticket to burnout which isn’t good for any of the parties involved. This past year, I’ve said no to press trips that didn’t align with my focus and turned down gigs that didn’t suit my background or niche. I’ve worked with a few great publications whose editors I adore and want to cultivate those relationships rather than start new ones.
It’s healthy to set boundaries in your personal life so why not your professional one as well?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarahlamagna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlamagna/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lamagna-b2155727/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahlamagna
Image Credits
First photo (Sarah sitting cross-legged on the ground in a black/red flannel): Lindsay Fairchild All other photos: Sarah Lamagna
