This site presents the writing and photographic work of British travel writer James Merriman. You can read my biography and review my credentials for further background. A selection of published writing is also available alongside details of recent talks and presentations.
Latest Travel Writing
Travel Writing and Cultural History
In such a precarious journey every incident becomes important. Merriman did well.
I write about travel through sustained time spent in places. Much of my work focuses on regions that are overlooked or poorly understood, where borders, infrastructure and history shape everyday life as much as the landscape itself.
I work slowly and on the ground, spending extended periods walking, observing and reading around the places I visit. My writing is informed by historical research and personal experience, with a particular interest in how people live within the realities of geography, politics and place.
My photography accompanies and supports my writing. It records landscapes and everyday moments, preserving details that the written work approaches from another angle.
Publications
My writing and photography have appeared in UK and international publications, including The Guardian, Globe Magazine and Bradt Guides. These commissioned pieces sit alongside long-form projects developed through repeated journeys and sustained research. A selection of published work can be found on the publications page.
Talks and Presentations
Alongside my writing, I give talks on travel writing, cultural history and research-led practice. Drawing on fieldwork and long-form projects, these presentations are delivered to literary audiences, cultural organisations and academic groups. Further details are available on the talks and presentations page.