Dreaming of turning your passion for writing into a fulfilling career?
As a writer, it can be challenging to find the right guidance and resources to monetize your talents while pursuing the lifestyle you’ve always wanted. For many, Great Escape Publishing (GEP) offers the promise of building a creative career—particularly through travel writing and photography. But is it the right fit for authors, especially those looking to self-publish books?
This comprehensive review dives deep into what GEP offers, its pros and cons, alternatives, and why selfpublishing.com may be a better choice for aspiring authors.
What Is Great Escape Publishing?
Great Escape Publishing was established with the goal of helping individuals transform their creative passions—like travel writing and photography—into sustainable sources of income. Its mission focuses on enabling people to earn while exploring, living creatively, and following their dreams. The platform caters to those who dream of making money from travel writing or capturing stunning photographs for publications.
GEP doesn’t just offer educational content—it aims to empower creatives to build careers that align with their love of adventure. The company provides an array of courses, workshops, and newsletters tailored to those looking to break into the travel writing and photography industries. Their tagline, “Your Dreams Are Waiting,” resonates with anyone seeking a lifestyle shift toward creativity, freedom, and financial independence.
Their programs are marketed heavily toward beginners, promising actionable steps to build a writing career without needing formal education or years of experience. However, their niche focus can be a double-edged sword, particularly for writers whose interests lie outside travel-related content.
What Does Great Escape Publishing Offer?
Great Escape Publishing boasts a range of products and services designed to help aspiring travel writers and photographers kickstart their careers. Here’s a closer look at what they provide:
1. Workshops and Events
GEP is perhaps best known for its hands-on workshops. These events, often held in picturesque destinations, immerse participants in the world of travel writing or photography. For example, attendees may learn how to pitch travel stories to magazines, take publishable photographs, or build portfolios. These workshops are highly interactive, often combining expert-led lectures with practical exercises. The in-person aspect allows for networking opportunities and direct feedback, which can be valuable for beginners.
2. Online Courses
For those who prefer learning at their own pace, GEP offers a suite of online courses covering travel writing, photography, and even niche topics like selling stock photos or creating travel blogs. These courses include video lessons, downloadable resources, and assignments designed to help learners apply their newfound knowledge.
3. Publications and Newsletters
GEP publishes a regular newsletter, “The Right Way to Travel,” featuring tips, success stories, and actionable advice for creative entrepreneurs. The newsletter aims to inspire and educate readers while keeping them informed about upcoming events and opportunities.
4. Coaching and Mentorship
While not as widely advertised, GEP also offers limited coaching or mentorship opportunities where participants can work more closely with experienced professionals. These programs are typically reserved for workshop attendees or higher-tier course participants.
5. Access to a Creative Network
Many participants value the sense of community GEP fosters. Workshops and events often lead to lasting connections among attendees, creating opportunities for collaboration, peer feedback, and encouragement.
While these offerings are tailored to travel writing and photography, they lack resources specific to book authorship, such as manuscript editing, formatting, and publishing strategies—key areas where selfpublishing.com excels.
Pros and Cons of Great Escape Publishing
Pros
- Comprehensive Creative Resources:
GEP’s courses and workshops provide an in-depth look at the travel writing and photography industries, focusing on actionable skills. Beginners will appreciate the step-by-step guidance and clear objectives laid out in their programs. - Community and Networking:
GEP’s workshops encourage a sense of camaraderie among participants. For creatives who often work in isolation, this community aspect can be inspiring and motivating. - Success Stories:
Testimonials from past participants highlight success in selling travel articles, securing photography assignments, or simply gaining the confidence to start creative careers. These success stories often serve as a testament to the program’s effectiveness. - Focus on Monetization:
Unlike many generic writing courses, GEP explicitly teaches participants how to monetize their skills, offering practical advice on pitching, pricing, and negotiating.
Cons
- Limited Appeal for Book Authors:
GEP’s focus on travel-related content may not meet the needs of aspiring book authors. Topics like manuscript preparation, book marketing, and publishing platforms are notably absent from their curriculum. - High Costs:
Workshops and premium courses can be expensive, making them less accessible to writers on a tight budget. While the promise of earning through travel writing is attractive, the upfront investment can feel risky to some. - Mixed Reviews:
While many praise the programs, others criticize them for overselling the ease of succeeding in competitive industries like travel writing and photography. Some participants have reported that the material feels overly general or too basic for those with prior experience. - Lack of Broad Applicability:
While the niche focus on travel writing can be beneficial for some, it excludes those looking to write in other genres or publish books.
Alternatives to Great Escape Publishing
If GEP doesn’t align with your goals, here are some alternative platforms that might:
- The Creative Penn
Joanna Penn’s platform is a treasure trove for self-published authors, offering advice on writing, publishing, and marketing books. With a strong focus on practical strategies, it’s ideal for indie authors. - MasterClass
Featuring renowned authors like Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood, MasterClass provides high-quality video lessons on storytelling, character development, and other essential writing skills. - Udemy Writing Courses
Udemy offers affordable courses on writing and self-publishing, catering to a variety of skill levels and genres. It’s a budget-friendly option for authors looking to learn at their own pace. - SelfPublishing.com
Focused specifically on helping authors self-publish and market their books, selfpublishing.com provides comprehensive guidance tailored to writers looking to navigate the self-publishing process.
Why Authors Should Consider SelfPublishing.com Instead of Great Escape Publishing
For authors who want to write, publish, and market their books, selfpublishing.com offers distinct advantages over GEP:
- Author-Centric Approach:
Unlike GEP’s travel-centric focus, selfpublishing.com is designed specifically for authors. From manuscript editing to book launches, their services cover every step of the publishing journey. - Comprehensive Support:
SelfPublishing.com’s suite of services includes coaching, marketing tools, and publishing strategies. This ensures authors are equipped not only to publish but also to succeed in a competitive market. - Proven Expertise:
With a track record of helping thousands of authors, selfpublishing.com is a trusted name in the industry. Their success stories span multiple genres and formats, offering reassurance to aspiring authors. - Better Value for Authors:
While GEP’s workshops and courses can be pricey, selfpublishing.com provides transparent pricing and actionable results tailored to author-specific goals.
Great Escape Publishing Review – Final Thoughts
Great Escape Publishing provides valuable resources for creatives looking to break into travel writing and photography.
Its workshops, courses, and community support are well-suited for those drawn to these niches. However, for aspiring authors seeking to publish books, the platform falls short of providing the tailored guidance and resources necessary for success.
If your dream is to write and publish a book, selfpublishing.com is a better choice. With its specialized focus on authors, end-to-end services, and proven results, it’s the ideal partner to help you navigate the self-publishing journey.
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back—start your publishing journey today with a platform that understands and supports your goals.