Winner of the 2023 Society of American Travel Writers-Western Chapter Gold Award in the Adventure/Health category for his Pines to Palms article in Mountain Flyer: The Mountain Bike Journal. Said the judges:

Even if you aren’t a mountain biker, this article makes you feel the exhilaration as you race from the mountaintop down to the desert near Palm Springs. An amazing journey.

Winner of the 2022 Society of American Travel Writers-Western Chapter Bronze Award in the Adventure/Health category for his article on Purple Lizard Maps/The Art of the Mapmaker in Mountain Flyer: The Mountain Bike Journal, with judging by The Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri. Said the judges:

In a world where GPS only gives you the next turn, this story makes you reconsider the true adventure of charting your own course — with a map. The writer journeys to Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania to meet a mapmaker with deep insight into how following a contour map will push you toward your ultimate journey. 

Winner of the 2020 Gold Award in the Column category for Earn Your Beer in Adventure Sports Journal, handed out by the Society of American Travel Writers–Western Chapter, with judging by The Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri. Said the judges: 

Okay, so the premise is a little off-kilter – teaming up exhausting adventure sports with craft beer. These well-written columns are fast-paced, fun and really will get you off and exploring natural areas, with a cold brew as your reward.

I, James Murren, am an award-winning independent writer, with numerous pieces having appeared in outdoor sports and recreation media outlets, adventure and travel magazines, newspapers, practitioners’ journals and newsletters, including:

L.A. Times, The Surfer’s Journal, Adventure Sports Journal, Session Magazine, War Kitchen, Mountain Flyer, Trails Magazine, Paddling Magazine, Wildsam, Matador Network, San Diego Magazine, Roads & Kingdoms, Backpacker Magazine, Cranked (UK), Snowshoe Magazine, Sub-Saharan Magazine, San Diego Union-Tribune, Spoke Magazine (NZ), Dirt Rag Magazine, Bike Magazine, Bicyclist Magazine, Strung Magazine, Bicycle Times, Switchback, and XXC Mag.

This website, the Substack newsletters that I write, and all media assignments that I write are 100% free from AI. I do not use the “robot” to put pen to paper, which I sometimes actually do (pen to paper) to get things started. I do not authorize any use of my writings by the AI bots, for the record. Writing requires effort.

Currently, I am a columnist for Adventure Sports Journal (“Earn Your Beer“). Earn Your Beer is about pushing yourself in the mountains, deserts, oceans, rivers, wherever and then sitting back and enjoying a beer when relaxing at camp or home. I also write sustainable tourism pieces for Session Magazine and I’m working with WARKITCHEN on various forthcoming pieces. Sometimes I contribute adventure/travel articles to San Diego Magazine.

My Substack newsletter covers mountain biking and independent craft breweries. Check it out and subscribe here: Paseando MTB

LAND.WATER.ADVENTURE.TRAVEL.PEOPLE. (click to access my other Substack newsletter)

Numerous articles and writing samples are available under Portfolio in the menu bar up top, where you can also click Latest Posts to see what’s going on with my writing and travels.

I have published three books. Go Here, Go There: Travel and Work  is a collection of words and photos depicting such experiences in ten countries around West Africa, Central and South America, North America, and Eurasia. The other two books are based on my practitioner work and travels in Honduras and Ethiopia. You can buy the books online via the link in the sidebar, or at the The Reader’s Cafe in Hanover, PA.

Member: Society of American Travel Writers