FEATURED WRITING

Original words from an intersectional perspective.

Personal essays, gear reviews, blog posts for brands, advertorials, recipes, travel guides, and more.

The Outbound Collective

In the fall of 2020, Erin applied and was the recipient of one of the inaugural writer’s residencies with The Outbound Collective. During her six months with them, she created content that was shared on their website, app, and social media channels to support the #EveryoneOutside effort. She’s continued to work with them even after the residency, most recently working on a project in partnership with Visit NC.

What One of Your Outdoorsy, Brown, Gay Friends Wants You to Know

An Awesome Dog-Friendly Road Trip to the North Carolina Coast

Road Trip Guide to the Mountains of North Carolina

Pronouns Matter, Especially In The Outdoors

A 200+ Mile Cycling Adventure in the Florida Keys

Pedaling Through North Carolina’s Scenic Yadkin Valley

Spotlight on Danielle Johnson, Creator of NC BIPOC Climbers in Asheville, NC

8 Pieces of Gear to Elevate Your Next Outdoor Adventure

The Osprey Heritage Simplex: Worthy of the Re-imagined Classic

Erin + Caroline’s Very Good Day

A Tropical Adventure in the Florida Keys

Writers Residency Spotlight: Erin McGrady

The Case for Traveling Alone (At Least Once)

For the Love of Dog: Tips for Traveling With Your Furry Adventure Buddy

13 Reasons You Should Make Greenville, SC Your Next Adventure Destination

A Road Trip Through the Lowcountry

6 Urban Parks in Asheville, North Carolina

Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway Near Asheville - North

Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway Near Asheville - South

12 Tips for Beginner Runners

5 Awesome Trail to Town Adventures Near Asheville, North Carolina

The Case For Ditching Perfection in Your Adventures

Florida Panhandle Adventures

7 Tips and Tricks For Your Next Road Trip

An Outdoor Adventure Photo Scavenger Hunt

6 Tiny Adventures to Boost Your Mood


Men’s Journal

a screenshot of three articles with headlines and a photo for Men's Journal. Images are of a hand pouring bourbon on burgers on a grill, a battery pack on moss, and a bike with bikepacking gear on it.

We write stories and shoot photos on the topics of Health, Adventure, Gear, and Style

Gear

Aventon E-Bikes are the Ultimate Holiday Gift on Wheels

6 Tips for Buying Used Outdoor Gear Without Sacrificing Performance

The Best Photo and Travel Gear for Adventure Photographers

Gear and Tips to Master the Art of the Campfire

5 Apps to Help You Stay Sane During the Coronavirus

Food + Drink

Level Up With the Loaded Whiskey Burger

Good For More Than Just Drinking: 3 Ways to Cook With Beer

6 Barrel-Aged Beers You Should Be Drinking Now

How to Make Quarter Pound Sriracha Meatballs

How to Get the Most Out of Instant Ramen Noodles

6 Best Tasting Beers That Smell Like Weed

How to Cook the Perfect Filet Mignon (with Scotch Butter)

6 Craft Beers That’ll Add a Summer Vibe to Fall

How to Pack the Perfect Camp Minibar

Neighborhood Heroes: Asheville, NC’s Bryan King, 12 Bones Smokehouse and Brewing

The Burger: How to Perfect an American Classic

Up Your Grill Game With Skewers: Tips and Tricks for Boosting Your Backyard Barbecue

3 Delicious Healthy Comfort Food Recipes (That Also Make Great Leftovers)

How to Make the Best Damn Bacon on Earth

5 of the Best Ways to Enjoy Skiing’s Favorite Snack: ‘Pocket Bacon’

A Starter’s Guide to Sour Beers

Beer ‘n’ Bacon Bread

3 Easy Cocktail Recipes That Are Perfect For Summer

How to Eat Healthy (And Keep Your Food Fresh) On the Road

Minimal-Ingredient One-Pot Recipes to Fuel Your Next Road Trip

Dawn Patrol Trail Bars

3 Labor Day Cocktail Recipes to Kick Off The Official End of Summer

3 Delicious Fall-Inspired Cocktail Recipes

Adventure

A Guide to Urban Adventures in Baltimore

The Case for the E-bike Tour

A Beginner’s Guide To Bikepacking

5 Ways We’ll Be Adventuring Post-Pandemic

5 Unique Runs in Death Valley National Park

5 of the Most Breathtaking Runs in Crater Lake National Park

Gridding: How a Relatively Unknown Sport Is Pushing Hikers to New Extremes

The Best Beer Runs in Asheville: Worthy Trail Runs That End at Tasty Breweries

Your Getaway Guide to the Best of the Outer Banks

Why Everglades National Park Deserves Your Attention

Why North Cascades National Park is the Perfect Place for Beginner Trail Runners

5 Spectacular Trail Runs in Banff National Park

5 of the Most Amazing Trail Runs in Jasper National Park

5 Great Trail Runs in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

5 Great Runs in Atlanta (and Some of the Best Post-Run Pit Stops)

5 Epic Spots to Run in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

5 Great Low Country Bike Ride (and Post Ride Pit Stops) in Charleston, SC

From Florida to Delaware: 14 Excellent Stops on an East Coast Road Trip

Weekends Asheville: Climbing, Biking, Waterfalls, and Breweries … All in One Place

Plan Your Pacific Northwest Road Trip: The Best Trails, Beaches and National Parks

Where to Get an Incredible Meal in Our National Parks

Dispatches: An East-to-West Road Trip Through Some of Our Nation’s Most Iconic Public Lands

5 Incredible Trail Runs in Mount Rainier National Park

Dispatches: Andros Island – Ecotourism and the Preservation of This Beautiful, Remote Archipelago

Health and Fitness

Is Denver the Best City in the Country for Runners

Six Tips (Plus One App) To Help You Stick To Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions


ROVA Magazine

“Door to Door: A Photo Essay” Adventure Issue #33 October / November 2022

“What’s In a Name?” Adventure Issue #31 | June / July 2022

“Loving a Vintage Vehicle and Letting It Go” Adventure Issue #22 | December / January 2021

“On the Side of the Road” Adventure Issue #21 | October / November 2020

“Discovering Delmarva” Adventure Issue #12 | April / May 2019

“Ale on Wheels” Adventure Issue #13 | June / July 2019


Explore Asheville

Local’s Guide to Asheville’s Top Asian-Owned Restaurants

LGBTQ+ Friendly Asheville: Inclusive Spaces Helping to Build Community

11 articles for the Official Asheville Visitors Guide, 2024

5 articles for the Official Visitors Guide, 2023

6 articles + 3 photos for the Official Asheville Visitors Guide, 2022

Cover photo for the Official Asheville Visitors Guide, 2020

Fall Color Hunters Report, 2023


DapperQ

a screenshot of three web pages featuring the travel writing and photography of Authentic Asheville for dapperQ. Erin McGrady lays on a bed in a hotel and reads, Erin McGrady is on a ropes course, a beer is on a bar



Authentic Asheville Blog

In addition to all of the freelance work listed above, we also founded an LGBTQ camper van travel blog. It’s based on our experiences as a queer couple who’s traveled across the country several times in several different vehicles. We share about some of our favorite LGBTQ friendly spaces and places that we’ve visited while traveling as well as those at home. We’ve also got a lot of camper van travel tips and hacks, gear reviews, and city guides on there as well. Check it out at www.authenticavl.com