A Writer's Journey with Nicole Trilivas

Travel writing has to be one of the most sought after jobs on the planet. The romance of wanderlusting around the world, jotting down your thoughts and discoveries in a battered old Moleskine notebook, and getting paid for it.  But romanticism aside… what about the actual job? Pitching. Editors. Writing. Technique. Resources. Packing. Cliches. What does a life in Travel writing really look like, what does it feel like?  U.S.-born and London-based Nicole Trilivas knows the answers to those questions because she's lived them. Still is. A luxury travel specialist, novelist and freelance writer, her byline has graced almost every single English language publication including Afar, The New York Times, Conde Nast, National Geographic and Architectural Digest. And she wants to share all she's learned about the craft and business of travel writing with you. Join Cerca's Neil Innes (Passport, The Cerca Guide to Barcelona) for a series of conversations about everything from where to look for inspiration, to how to get your first gig, to why Nicole thinks this is hands-down the best job in the world. Ready to take the next step on your journey? ---- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Our audio guides and travel podcasts - curated and voiced by locals - immerse you in some of the most incredible destinations on earth. Each one is packed with tips, recommendations, and insider knowledge. And the Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Origins, Wanderlust, and First Assignments

    Travel writing has to be one of the most sought after jobs on the planet. The romance of wanderlusting around the world, jotting down your thoughts and discoveries in a battered old Moleskine notebook, and getting paid for it.  But romanticism aside… what about the actual job? Pitching. Editors. Writing. Technique. Resources. Packing. Cliches. What does a life in Travel writing really look like, what does it feel like?  U.S.-born and London-based Nicole Trilivas knows the answers to those questions because she's lived them. Still is. A luxury travel specialist, novelist and freelance writer, her byline has graced almost every single English language publication including Afar, The New York Times, Conde Nast, National Geographic and Architectural Digest. And she wants to share all she's learned about the craft and business of travel writing with you. In our first episode, Neil Innes (Passport, The Cerca Guide to Barcelona) sits down with Nicole to find all about her suburban origins, getting wanderlust from an unexpected source, first trips, working in the Czech republic, gaining confidence around taking the leap to write… and, of course, her first piece of published writing. So let’s begin…  --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    18 min
  2. EPISODE 4

    All About Writing

    Maybe it goes without saying, but if you want to be a travel writer you need to be able to, well, write. And write well. And when your goal is to evoke far off places, or inspire wanderlust, or even just help people have a better experience when their exploring the world, there are things to keep in mind beyond just arranging words in a sentence.  In this episode, Nicole shares the best inspirational - and practical - tips and tricks she’s used as a professional travel writer. Writing for your senses, or in spite of them, the joy and benefit of reading about places you know and also why you should all be keeping a rather large file of inspiration clippings right there on your desktop...  --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    8 min
  3. EPISODE 5

    How to Get Paid to Write

    When most of us think about being professional travel writers, it’s the writing and the travel that fuels our passion and imaginations. The business side of things can be scary to contemplate. But sooner or later you’ll need to if you want to make a career of it. Luckily, Nicole is here to help. In this episode, Nicole gives us access to a side of the business that some people (writers especially) can be a little reserved in talking about. Cashflow… how to get it, how to maximize it and what to do with it… Nicole shares with us 3 financial factors that help keep her career on track, an idea of when to really go for travel writing as a full time career, writing for free or not, and the eternal battle of influencers vs journalists...  --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    15 min
  4. EPISODE 8

    The Travel Writing Community

    It’s often said that writing - any writing - is a solitary profession. But that doesn’t have to be the case. In this episode, Nicole opens up about the travel writing community - how valuable a resource for knowledge and support it can be and how to become part of it. Plus, tips to help you land that elusive top contact at a magazine, the world facebook networking, using social media to find pitch calls, and waiting for that perfect time to send your pitch…  --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari, and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    16 min
  5. EPISODE 9

    Etiquette, Editors, And PR Companies

    Editors. Those pesky impossible to get in contact with editors. Sometimes it feels like they’re the only thing standing between you and an incredible assignment. Except, as you’ll hear from Nicole, maybe they’re not quite as impossible to get a hold of as you think.  In this episode, packed full of practical tips, Nicole shares strategies on climbing the publication ladder, using PR companies in the best possible way, and making a pitch stand out to magazine gatekeepers by using what’s happening in the world right now. Plus, more about the weird world of press trips… --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari,  and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    20 min
  6. EPISODE 10

    Inspiration

    And now something slightly different. In this episode, Neil chats with Nicole about the one thing you can cultivate, but never entirely define - inspiration. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about writers, movies, music, and what piques Nicole’s travel writing brain. Kerouac, Miller, the deeply loved and deeply missed Anthony Bourdain, falling in love with the writing of your contemporaries, and why Sheryl Stayed’s “Wild”`is absolutely required reading.  Plus, a story about the book that every travel writer is supposed to read and love and understand.  Does Nicole agree? You’ll have to listen to find out. --- A Writer’s Journey with Nicole Trilivas is Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Neil Innes  Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski Executive Produced by Stacey Book, Dominique Ferrari,  and Avi Glijansky Find more of Nicole and her writing… On the Web - https://nicoletrilivas.com On Instagram - @nicoletrilivas On X - @NicoleTrilivas Visit CercaTravel.com for more news on where Cerca is going and to sign up for special access to new features.  --- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. The Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    12 min

Trailer

About

Travel writing has to be one of the most sought after jobs on the planet. The romance of wanderlusting around the world, jotting down your thoughts and discoveries in a battered old Moleskine notebook, and getting paid for it.  But romanticism aside… what about the actual job? Pitching. Editors. Writing. Technique. Resources. Packing. Cliches. What does a life in Travel writing really look like, what does it feel like?  U.S.-born and London-based Nicole Trilivas knows the answers to those questions because she's lived them. Still is. A luxury travel specialist, novelist and freelance writer, her byline has graced almost every single English language publication including Afar, The New York Times, Conde Nast, National Geographic and Architectural Digest. And she wants to share all she's learned about the craft and business of travel writing with you. Join Cerca's Neil Innes (Passport, The Cerca Guide to Barcelona) for a series of conversations about everything from where to look for inspiration, to how to get your first gig, to why Nicole thinks this is hands-down the best job in the world. Ready to take the next step on your journey? ---- At Cerca, our goal is to help you explore the world like never before. Our audio guides and travel podcasts - curated and voiced by locals - immerse you in some of the most incredible destinations on earth. Each one is packed with tips, recommendations, and insider knowledge. And the Cerca Concierge connects you directly with locals to craft travel plans and experiences that amplify your adventure, tap into hidden gems beyond the ratings' buzz, and make you the hero of your next journey. Because at Cerca connecting you with locals isn't just our specialty; now it’s your superpower. Download the Cerca App for free now.

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