A couple of years ago I interviewed Tim Leffel for Write to Travel’s ‘interview with a travel writer’ series. Even then, it was clear that he saw the writing on the ‘digital’ wall for freelance writers.
In response to the question ‘What do you see as the future for travel writers in the printed media and online ?’, Tim replied…
The future looks fantastic if you’re riding the right waves. Writers who whine and moan about where things are headed remind me of buggy whip makers complaining about the automobile. I actually had a veteran travel writer tell me last week that she has never written anything for the Internet and doesn’t understand it. That blows my mind. What is she going to do 5 years from now–retire?
We’re in a transition phase right now where pay for Web articles is nowhere near what magazines pay, but the glory days of print are clearly fading behind us in the rear-view mirror. Newspaper travel sections have dwindled to almost nothing and it’s getting increasingly tough for travel magazines to thrive.
The Web is not yet generating the same kind of ad revenue for corporations that print does, but if you own what you produce, that’s actually an advantage we individual experts can exploit. I know a few travel writers who are pulling in six figures without sending out a single query letter or doing any revisions per article for a flighty editor in New York. They write about what they love for their own site and their passion makes them money.
One person can create a mini-empire relatively easy these days if he or she is patient and persistent. It’s a different mindset though, obviously. You have to be more creative and multi-functional rather than just stringing sentences together to meet an assignment.
His new book, Travel Writing 2.0, based on his own experience and that of over 50 other mainly online travel writers, follows through with these thoughts, offering clear advice and, if you read carefully, a fully mapped out path on how, as travel writing transitions between traditional and digital media, travel writers can create diverse income streams.
Early reviews of Travel Writer 2.0 by Tim Leffel is indicating that this is a must read book and resource for travel writers, new and experienced, who are interested in making real money from their writing in the digital age.
Tim has also created a companion Travel Writer 2.0 blog site that features interviews with successful travel writers.
Travel Writing 2.0 is available in print or PDF e-book form (Kindle and iBook versions are due out later in the year) directly from the publisher and also at various online bookstores including Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
And thanks to Tim, one lucky Perceptive Travel reader has the chance to win a free copy. All you have to do is leave a comment, telling us about your thoughts on the future of travel writing. And next Wednesday (October 6th), a winner will be chosen randomly to receive an PDF e-book copy of Travel Writer 2.0.
Wow, I’d kind of forgotten about that interview Liz. It’s nice to see my crystal ball was working right.
Note to readers: if the winner chosen at random ends up being in the U.S., I’ll send a physical book. It’s just too much of a pain shipping internationally—especially since I’m living abroad myself.
Travel writing, like all creative writing, is in transition right now thanks to the internet and the advancement of technology. No longer can you just write an article, maybe add a few photos and you are done. The web expects you to link your article to other pertinent sites, so readers can either simply scan through it or if they want more information, value added, they can get that with the click of their mouse. There will always be a market for good writers, especially if they can integrate new technology into their craft… it’s the medium that is changing.
The future of Travel Writing is people will travel, they will write about it, people will want to read about it. I haven’t a clue what the format will be in 10 years; but this
I know; there will be travel writers and travel readers; the rest is to be seen.
Ultreia!
Ron Luther
If I could predict the future, I’d make a fortune picking stocks or something, rather than trying to eke out a living as a travel writer…that said, it’s pretty hard to make it as any kind of writer without some business sense, and the willingness and ability to adapt to major changes in the market. Being a good writer is not enough anymore — you also have to be a good entrepreneur.
It is a different mindset to go from writer to publisher and business owner.
The publisher model has a lot more money upside than a freelance travel writer.
Combining the two online has still plenty of potential.
Well worth exploring.
All the best,
Ewen
The internet, ebooks, ipads, and ereaders have changed the way we receive our books. What will always be needed is content. So for those who write travel books, then they will be bought all the same, just in a different format.
Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, Eric Newby, Bruce Chatwin, and even Frances Mayes, just to name a few of the many hundreds of excellent travel writers have helped nuture a genre that isn’t going anywhere. Just look at the phenomenal bestseller Eat Prey Love!
So travellers will keep travelling, and travel writers will continue to write for those who travel, and especially for all those armchair travellers out there.
The future of travel writing is secure, thanks to the tribe of armchair travelers.
The web allows travel related information to be found and updated with ease, therefore travel writing is definitely worthwhile, for hobby or as profession.
Entries to the Travel Writing 2.0 giveaway are now closed and the winner of this great travel writing book is Damien Wier. Congratulations Damien. Keep an eye out for an email from us on how to get your copy.