Travis Levius is a freelance travel writer and content creator loosely based between London and Atlanta. He’s written for several publications and outlets including Travel + Leisure, TIME, Condé Nast Traveler, Departures, CNN Travel, AFAR and Forbes Travel Guide, and is a guidebook author of Lonely Planet’s Experiences: London (2022). Travis is also the creator of Pandemic-Proof Travel Writing, and on-demand workshop helping aspiring and experienced writers boost their bylines and income during the volatile Covid era.
How did you get started traveling?
I became a military stepchild at age four, and—domestically speaking—moved to a different city every 2-4 years, mainly on the East Coast. The constant movement definitely influenced my early curiosity for different places and people. It wasn’t until college that I went abroad (to study abroad in Galway, Ireland, and London) and the experience gave me a lifelong taste for global travels.
How did you get started writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, and started my career writing for my college’s student-run indie music magazine during my final semester.
But how I got into travel writing specifically is a weird story. Two of my ultimate life goals in the early 2010’s were to travel the world extensively and live in London, and two intuitive hunches followed: “book a one-way ticket to London by summer 2014” and “start writing”. I had no idea that waiting for me months later after quitting my assistant teaching job in Atlanta, and landing in London with very little money and direction, was a travel writing career that would allow me to live out my wildest dreams.
What do you consider your first “break” as a writer?
The day I was paid for my writing work and able to survive in London! Going off of that hunch to “start writing” in my first few weeks in London, I asked my local friends for any freelance writing leads, and thanks to a connect I snagged a fairly regular freelance gig writing evergreen content for a now-defunct photography tech brand, where I was paid £150 (about $203) per article.
In terms of travel writing breaks, I was really proud to have a byline in BBC Travel, just a year after I “discovered” freelance travel writing. The piece was a profile on intrepid underwater photographer Chris Gug and his artist-in-residency experience at Montana’s Glacier National Park.
As a traveler and fact/story gatherer, what is your biggest challenge on the road?
Doing double-duty as a journalist and a content creator, while still trying to enjoy the experience. The journalist side has me taking notes, taking time to observe, interview people, etc. which is time-consuming in of itself, but because I have my own content creator brand, I also take professional-level images and video of the travel experiences, and that is certainly time-consuming too. I love what I do, though.
What is your biggest challenge in the research and writing process?
Sometimes fact-checking a less-trodden destination can be tough when there’s conflicting information online or even via direct sources, otherwise research is the easiest part of the process and maybe even my favorite. The writing process, on the other hand, can be tricky if you struggle with lack of focus and anxiety like me. I have to really push and shut out distractions (both external and mental) and also stop myself from self-editing as I type my rough drafts.
What is your biggest challenge from a business standpoint?
Earlier in my career, when I did it for the “experience”, the challenge would have been how to make a good living from it. Over the last few years I really wisened up and upgraded my mentality as a freelancer/business owner, so that isn’t an issue anymore, thankfully. I’d say the biggest challenge today is juggling traditional freelance writing with the growing number of on-camera travel media gig offers and brand partnerships while mitigating burnout and overwhelm.
Have you ever done other work to make ends meet?
I do travel brand consulting, travel writing coaching (with an on-demand workshop available online), and started doing paid content creator partnerships in 2021.
What advice and/or warnings would you give to someone who is considering going into travel writing?
Don’t quit your day job (laughs). If you’re considering freelance travel writing full-time, I’d strongly suggest doing the math and knowing how much you need to make per month. It’s never a bad idea to supplement freelance writing income with other streams. Also, know that travel writing is work, not a “free holiday” as most people outside of the trade assume. It requires time, organization, persistence, relationship-building and a passion for words in order to excel in this industry.
What is the biggest reward of life as a travel writer?
Getting to experience the world the way I had envisioned when I was just an assistant teacher with just four countries under my belt—that number is now 45-plus, with all seven continents visited. I also love sharing my on-assignment travels and testimony to others to show, by example, that the life they want and dream about is possible.
Share This
