Tim Cahill on New Journalism and Dangerous Obsessions

UPDATE: I look forward to visits with Tim every summer at the Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. I was in his advanced narrative class in 2024 but missed the conference in 2025. :( I imagine he’s as in demand as ever to speak at conferences all over. And much as I'd like to give you a website for more info, Tim's unapologetic. He has none. Hasn't even been posting on Facebook lately.June 1, 2024 He’s been called America’s best known (and funniest) adventure travel writer, a Working-Class Hero, The Godfather of Travel Writing, the Wise Guy of Travel Lit Lite, an apostle of irreverence, and a Mishap Maestro. I just call him Tim. Freaking. Cahill. Tim’s why many of us write about travel. In Part 1, Tim talks about leaving law school to pursue new journalism (which he made up as he went), pissing off a chef at the Mark Hopkins, spending “3 years in the sewer” of John Wayne Gacy’s mind, his partner, Nancy Kessler, and a bunch of other stuff. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit terisdoingit.substack.com