Welcome to “TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Week," where we highlight an active journalist or editor within the TravMedia community. We have so many amazingly talented, successful and inspirational professionals in our midst — let's meet Liz Bond...

Q. Where are you based? 

Brisbane, Queensland - a city I write about regularly that is rapidly transforming ahead of the Olympics.

Q. What outlet do you write for? Who is your audience? What are your travel specialties?

I'm a regular contributor to Escape and have been commissioned by Traveller, Australian Gourmet Traveller, The Australian Women's Weekly, Qantas Magazine, and delicious., among others.  I write for curious, experience-driven Australians who want to travel well - whether that's the finest hotel in Nashville or Australia's best martini. I specialise in luxury travel, food and wine, history, and stories that give the reader a sense of a place rather than a mere checklist.

Q. What is a professional pet peeve?

Receiving press releases for something I don't cover. Pool fencing comes to mind.

Q. In your past professional life, you were … 

A publicist. I ran campaigns for the Australian Kidney Foundation and the HPV vaccination program - Professor Ian Frazer had just created the vaccine that would go on to change women's health globally. Before that, sports promotion for Pepsi: Mr Motocross and Pro Junior Surf. Always telling stories.

Q. Where would you like to return to? 

New York. Can't wait to get back to Italy later this year. I also just returned from Nashville - it is so much more than honky tonks and hot chicken, and I'll be back. 

Q. What's on your bucket list? 

Ireland. The further from a pool fence, the better.

Q. Where do you travel for fun? 

Far North Queensland. Palm Cove is incredibly relaxing. 

Q. Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is … 

The TSA in the US was asking too many questions because I was carrying bags of specialist bread flour given to me by a James Beard Award-winning baker. White flour in clearly marked bags was enough to make us to miss our flight. 

Q. What advice would you give your younger professional self? 

Pitch earlier and more confidently. The worst an editor can do is say no - and more often than not, they say nothing at all.

Q. What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on?

A plug for the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW). It's invaluable for travel writers and PRs alike. The connections and camaraderie matter (freelancing can be isolating).

Q. How best should people contact you?