Comments on: Interview: Tim Leffel On Travel Writing In The Internet Age

By: Tim L.

Tim L. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:54:05 +0000

I wanted to check back in here because a few people have tweeted or stumbled this interview recently, so here’s an update:

- pay is up to $85 and we’re publishing monthly
- we’ve gotten a few more stories into “best travel writing” anthologies (including three in one edition recently).
- a slew of magazines have gone out of business during this recession, but we’re doing fine.
- I’ll be publishing from Mexico starting July ‘09.

Thanks for reading! – Tim Leffel, editor

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By: Mary D'Ambrosio

Mary D'Ambrosio — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:37:53 +0000

Tim tells it like it is. As a new publisher of travel narrative – written, photographic and multimedia – Big World Magazine is finding a dedicated but modest-sized readership, some likely already devotees of Matador and Perceptive Travel. We’ll never match the pay of mainstream travel magazines, but the Internet allows us to exist, and our writers to connect with readers they might never otherwise meet.

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By: Kango Suz

Kango Suz — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:48:44 +0000

Wow, great article! Great insights into the pros and cons of travel writing. I found your ‘negative’ comments about mainstream travel writing and the audiances they are looking to reach very informative for thoughts on how to structure and gear my future submissions to such publications. As a free thinking traveler myself, I sometimes forget that the things that interest me are not the things that wil interest the people who actually buy those mags!

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:00:22 +0000

Thanks for the comments everyone – this was one of my favorite interviews so far – Tim L. couldn’t have been more candid, and he really is making a difference, getting quality travel writing out there on the web.

I’m especially interested in everyone’s thoughts on the question of “selling out” – writing fluff pays. But is it worth it in the long run?

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By: Tim L.

Tim L. — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:01:00 +0000

Tim here. Thanks for reading everyone–and for the comments! We do have an RSS feed for the blog (link below), but since we only publish every other month, it hasn’t really made sense for the Perceptive Travel publication itself. We do have a newsletter though, so sign up for that and you’ll get an e-mail each time we put up a new batch of stories. (And no e-mails pitching stuff in between–promise). Plus you can win some cool prizes.

I neglected to mention Budget Travel above as a publication that is for normal travelers on a normal budget. I always get a good idea or two from that mag. They have a great useful website too.

Here’s the PT blog:
http://perceptivetravel.com/blog/

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By: Guylaine

Guylaine — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:57:31 +0000

Great piece! really enjoyed this. Would love to see more interviews on web-based travel mags and practical tips on those interested in creating one…

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By: Marilyn Terrell

Marilyn Terrell — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 04:21:55 +0000

Perceptive Travel is a treasure trove. I’d highly recommend anyone who hasn’t read it to check it out. Jeff Greenwald’s story about building a artificial coral reef in Indonesia was one I couldn’t forget, and Ayun Halliday’s mangosteen story is equally indelible, but for other reasons.
I only wish you
1) published more frequently
2) had an RSS feed

But thanks, Tim L., for the kind words about National Geographic magazines, and for the harsh words about our upscale and soulless competitors!

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By: Sergei

Sergei — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:58:40 +0000

I think almost everyone wants to be a travel writer or a travel photographer. It seemsÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

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By: Ian MacKenzie

Ian MacKenzie — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:18:51 +0000

Great interview! Publishing provocative material that doesn’t quite fit with all audiences has been a challenge since day 1 here at BNT. In Tim’s case, it appears he’s accepted advertising as the primary means of generating revenue to pay his writers. From there, it’s more about how to balance advertising and content so everyone is happy.

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By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:02:58 +0000

Tim! Don’t shoot your dog! “Travel with pets” is a great niche market to break into…

Great interview, really enjoyed it.

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