Matt Phillips

Matt Phillips – Editor

A professional editor with global publishers since 2007, I have a successful record shaping inspiring content for readers around the world.

Overview

I have an intense passion for travel, health, food and sport, and have a proven 17-year track record on bringing titles to print. Between 2007 and 2013 I was in charge of ‘Travel Africa’ magazine, and since then I’ve been at the editorial helm of many Lonely Planet titles, including ‘The Best Moment of Your Life’, ‘Big Trip’, ‘Volunteer’, ‘National Parks of Europe’, ‘The World’s Best Superfoods’, ‘The Perfect Shot’ and more than 20 guidebooks.

I like to work collaboratively with writers, asking them for their input, expectations and experiences, regardless of whether at the developmental or copy editing stage. My ultimate goal, besides shaping ideas, text and stories into professional bodies of work, is to make the writer excited and happy with the finished product. This can only happen if their voice still rings true in the copy after the editing process.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Nature Photography Sports & Outdoors Travel
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Polarsteps

Jun, 2021 — Present

I am managing a team of passionate travel writers and editors who are creating content for one of the world's fastest-growing travel apps.

Lonely Planet

Jul, 2020 — Mar, 2022 (over 1 year)

Managing and editing Lonely Planet's 'Under the Stars: Europe' title. Researching/writing 54 countries content for Lonely Planet's 'The Travel Book'.

Lonely Planet

May, 2019 — Jun, 2020 (about 1 year)

As part of the Digital Content team, I am responsible for taking user-centred content from concept to publication. Brainstorming, commissioning, creating, producing, editing and publication are all part of this role across destination content and specific interests content as dictated by data on user behaviour. I continue to provide regional expertise and editorial oversight to other Lonely Planet departments, such as Trade and Reference, Social Media, Business Development, Marketing and Lonely Planet magazine.

Lonely Planet

Jan, 2016 — May, 2020 (over 4 years)

As part of a six-month secondment in 2016, and on a freelance basis since, I worked with the Associate Publisher to develop and deliver numerous non-guidebook titles for publication globally. I was responsible for budgeting and commissioning all content (text, images, illustrations and maps). I performed the day-to-day project management required to deliver these books – on time and on budget – from creation of the business case through product design, commissioning, production, pre-press and post-production. I also worked with Sales and Marketing colleagues to ensure the successful creation and execution of sales and marketing strategies.

Lonely Planet

Nov, 2013 — May, 2019 (over 5 years)

As part of the global content team, I was in charge of ensuring the editorial integrity of all sub-Saharan Africa material online and within the content management system (CMS) – this material fed guidebooks and the company’s digital platforms. The role also provided regional expertise to the company as a whole.

Travel Africa magazine

Jan, 2007 — Sep, 2013 (over 6 years)

Responsible for procuring all editorial content for this quarterly consumer magazine (print, web and app), I ensured that it was informative and inspiring for tens of thousands of readers in some thirty countries, and kept production on time and on budget.

Portfolio

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's Cape Town & the Garden Route is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Soak in the view from the summit of ... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Tanzania is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Listen to the sound of pounding hooves as wildebeest stamp... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit the largest waterfalls on earth a... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Mauritius, Reunion & Seychelles is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hike through the wild and remote Ci... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Ethiopia & Djibouti is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore underground churches in Lalibela, spot ... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Spot jackals and black rhinos in Etosha National... read more
Lonely Planet Kenya

Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Kenya is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Gaze at a million wildebeest migrating across the rolling sav... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Madagascar is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Watch chameleons and lemurs in mountainous national park... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's East Africa is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Feel the pounding of hooves as wildebeest stampede ac... read more
Lonely Planet West Africa is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore the Senegalese music scene in Dakar, sun yourself in the coastal paradise of Freetown, or hike through lu... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Southern Africa is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Clamber up the world's oldest sand dunes in Sossusv... read more
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Fill your days with beaches and... read more
Lonely Planet Africa is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Wander the cobbled streets and graceful pracas rimmed by once grand churches and stately colonial-era buildings, again... read more
Volunteer

Lonely Planet

Are you looking for a more meaningful travel experience? Do you want to give back to the communities you visit, make a genuine connection with locals, meet like-minded travellers and build your skills? International volunteering opens up all these opportunitie... read more
A celebration of and practical guide to Europe's areas of incredible natural beauty. Step into a world boasting hilltop coastal villages, frozen Arctic landscapes and sweeping mountain ranges - and discover the 60 most breathtaking national parks, as well as i... read more
Dive into the world of superfoods with Lonely Planet Food, the world's leading travel publisher's new food imprint. Unlock the long-held secrets of health-boosting diets from every culture of the globe. Discover which super ingredients will boost your energy, ... read more
The Big Trip

Lonely Planet

So, you want to experience the ultimate overseas adventure? Whether you're a gap year student or young traveller, taking a sabbatical or career break, a parent or guardian wanting to travel with your children, or in retirement and looking for your next adventu... read more
Discover 100 life-changing travel experiences. Familiar faces from the world of travel, plus Lonely Planet writers, share their most remarkable, poignant and memorable experiences from the road - moments that changed them as individuals and reshaped their pers... read more

Matt has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Holger Nils P.

Holger Nils P.

Mar, 2022

Matt is incredibly professionally AND likeable. He's fast in his replies and always on the point. And he has a sharp eye for details and consistency. I really enjoy working with him!
Abbey S.

Abbey S.

May, 2021

Matt Philips is an amazing editor. He is dedicated to his projects that he collaborates with the aspiring author. His corrections make the current draft into a beautiful piece of work with punctuality and fluency. I enjoyed working with Matt because he helped my writing become exceedingly great in all factors.
Matt P.
It was a pleasure to work with such a talented young writer.
Jeff L.

Jeff L.

Feb, 2021

Top Draw. I really enjoyed working with Matt. His laid back but engaged approach put me at ease and I am very happy with my first book. Super Super guy... Thanks Matt appreciated!
Rachel C.

Rachel C.

Jun, 2020

It was a pleasure working with Matt. He was very communicative and personable. I felt comfortable handing my work over for Matt's review and he made both insightful edits and comments that helped me further hone my work.

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