sj armstrong

My phone has decided to randomly delete every note I’ve written since 2022 🥲

psa to back up notes and also not rely on your phone storage for every story idea you ever have

For a Talking Travel Writing series, I'm looking to speak to PRs about how journalists can get the best out of your destination knowledge to chat about potential story ideas.

Are there qs you wish more journalists would ask? What do you wish more journalists knew about working w/PRs?

Writers: before you sign a contract with a publisher, make sure AI isn't replacing your illustrator, your translator, your editor, your jacket designer. Readers: if you're thinking of buying a book, do the same. Refuse. Resist. If AI garbage doesn't sell, people will stop making it.

Rough time to be earning a chunk of income in USD.

The time I spend chasing payments is actually now cutting into my income, considering the value of the $ is dropping week by week.

Not currently looking for pitches from tour agencies or hotels, unless the tour is completely unique or property exceptionally noteworthy.

Top preforming pieces garner tens of thousands of weekly clicks, North American audience.

Especially keen to hear about little known US destinations. Thanks!

Hello PR pals!

I’ve recently joined the audience development team over at Islands.com and I’m looking for interesting data sets relevant to a travel audience and under-the-radar destinations to spotlight.

Please send any suggestions to armstrongsarajane@gmail.com

Desperate for them to add a press trip group to the next White Lotus

Ofc for some words it can be super helpful, but I encountered erroneous simplifications that I think make it a little counterintuitive for Arabic learners specifically.

With that enormous a language it's just really difficult to try and condense it down to a simple format, annoyingly.

New travel-writing prize for women writers! Deadline is end of the month... www.ilseschwepckeprize.co.uk

Turns out it needed all dates of all travel from 2013 onwards instead.

It’s taken me 1.5 full working days and cost me hundreds in working hours and I’m still 90% sure I made a mistake.

Why Canada 🥲🥲

Currently working through an endless slew of visa paperwork and now have to list every country I’ve been to in the last five years, with dates of entry and exit.

Might have to put the OOO on tomorrow bc that’s a nightmare in waiting.

How to plan the ultimate adventure through Southern Mexico Explore the rich culture of Mexico’s southernmost states, Oaxaca and Chiapas — from historic ruins and colourful cities to diverse landscapes and distinctive food.

www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/artic...

How to experience Nicaragua’s coffee culture, one sip at a time Sample fresh brews, try your hand at picking beans and roam the cloud forests and volcanic peaks of northern Nicaragua’s coffee trail.

www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/artic...

Anybody happen to know if Nigeria Tourism have any UK PR representation?

Idc if you give out free fruit rent is £1000+ a month for a room in an old house in zone 3

Beautiful photo! Hope to soon be reading about your experience, I've heard very little from Palau outside of luxury cruising so very intrigued

I tried the Arabic lessons to practice between classes while I was studying MSA and found it counterproductive. Would recommend going old school, getting a workbook, and focusing on grammar

In uni we were told to spend the first 1-2 years on MSA and then pick a dialect after that, if that's helpful

Hope you have a great time in Oaxaca! It's definitely hard to find a bad meal in the city

Why has this Mexican city held the title of Mexico's foodie capital for centuries? New resident SJ Armstrong finds out what makes the Mexican city of Oaxaca de Juárez so appetizing as it celebrates its first Michelin stars.

adventure.com/oaxaca-de-ju...

Maybe I should’ve listened closer to the corrupt Colombian examiner that offered to sell me one for €40

So I’m finally trying to get a drivers license (about 13 years late) but it’s currently impossible to get a test before summer.

Does anybody have a practical answer as to why this is? There can’t be that many people trying to get a test? Website says it’s covid backlog but it’s 2025?

Verba-non-grata? 20-odd years since my last latin lesson

Never realised that I ever used the word delved until crappy AI made it a verbum-non-grata

The Historic Reason Mountain Climbers Won't Be Calling America's Highest Peak By Its New Official Name - Islands President Donald Trump ordered that the highest mountain in the United States be called by a different name, but climbers said they won't be doing that.

I rarely ever get to write anything explicitly political but since I now spend my evenings refreshing the news this was fun for me

www.islands.com/1776267/hist...

I’m building a global photographer database for the SpeciaList - if you’re interested in being one of my go-to photo team, please DM me your name, location and link to a portfolio. Rates competitive. Thank you!

As I'm starting back in book publishing, I'd like to know of Black (& POC) freelancers w/ experience copyediting, proofreading, editing, design, marketing. The imprint I'm at is creating a #freelance database, so if you have website/LinkedIn, which every #freelancer should, lemme know. DO NOT DM ME.

Your rights are under threat from AI. It’s time to have your say! The Government recently launched a consultation on AI and copyright. Now is the time to have your say and make sure that legislators hear the concerns of creators.

UK writers: if you haven't yet responded to the government's AI consultation (& don't feel like giving away your copyright), the @alcs-uk.bsky.social have produced some really helpful advice ⤵️
www.alcs.co.uk/news/your-ri...

Freelancers: in case you missed it, my post outlining what I want to commission in 2025 >> substack.com/home/post/p-... 👀

Protectors of Aqviqtuuq The northern tip of mainland Canada is a paradise of caribou, polar bears and Arctic char as yet undisturbed by mining. The residents of Taloyoak, Nunavut, are fighting to keep it that way.

The northern tip of mainland Canada is a paradise of caribou, polar bears and Arctic char as yet undisturbed by mining. The residents of Taloyoak, Nunavut, are fighting to keep it that way. Learn more in our piece by @tomlundy.bsky.social.

'Noctourism' Is The Next Big Travel Trend. Here Are The Top Destinations For Nocturnal Sightseeing - Islands Noctourism, or nighttime tourism, is on the rise. For stunning dark skies, fascinating wildlife, and more, head to one of these Islands-tested destinations.

I actually had fun writing this piece (which can be tough in snowed-under q1) so thought I'd share :)

www.islands.com/1765573/noct...