Travel writing career tips: https://www.skool.com/mediamatrix/about
What Editors Want, a weekly newsletter for freelance journalists: https://whatedswant.substack.com/ —

I talk with Nathan James Thomas, founder and managing editor of the online magazine Intrepid Times, who shares his love of personal stories that go deep into the human experience of travel, and that form connections with people. “No one is going to go searching for our articles” he says, meaning that the stories he looks to publish are not search-engine friendly or optimised. They are the unique experiences of writers on the road. Among many topics, we discuss the qualities of great travel writing, the need for stories to show how the protagonist has changed from beginning to end, and why Nathan maintains a strict anti-AI policy at Intrepid Times.

Intrepid Times: https://intrepidtimes.com/ —–

00:09 *Introduction to Intrepid Times* James Durston introduced Nathan James Thomas, founder and managing editor of Intrepid Times. Thomas expressed appreciation for Durston’s support of travel writers.

01:40*Nathan James Thomas’s Background* Nathan describes an unconventional path: launching a successful personal-growth blog on Blogspot, selling it at 21, and traveling for two years, including a year in China. When funds ran out, he turned to copywriting and travel writing for a China travel company and Thrifty Nomads. As his family grew, he shifted toward editing and community-building, drawing on his publishing background to create Intrepid Times.

*The Intrepid Times Model*05:50 Nathan distinguishes Intrepid Times from a blog: instead of one or two voices, it publishes work from hundreds of writers. Its mission is “travel writing with heart”—introspective, idea-driven stories born from transformative experiences—aimed at a passionate niche audience.

06:55* Travel writing with heart* What is it? Nathan describes it as a story that you had no choice but to write.

10:10* The stories that stood out* Nathan describes a story that won the latest Intrepid Times travel writing competition about a woman who retraced her childhood to rediscover her old Patagonian home.

11:55*Qualities of Great Travel Writing* Nathan notes that excessive use of “I” often signals a misplaced focus. He emphasized that strong travel stories have a clear beginning, middle, and end, showing how the narrator changes. Durston added that beginners often default to “postcard home” writing instead of offering broader insight.

16:19*Travel writing workshops* Nathan describes what can be learned during the workshops and competitions at Intrepid Times

19:50*Submissions and Payment Structure* Intrepid Times accepts 1,500-word pitches year-round, especially for existing series or under-covered countries. It also hosts competitions—such as the “human moment” contest with Travel Lemming—maintaining a strict “no AI policy.”

21:42*A book took me there* Nathan explains one of his hardest decisions was choosing a winner for the ‘A Book Took Me There’ competition, because readers make the best writers.

23:32*What do you pay?* Standard submissions pay $100; contest winners receive $300. Nathan explains the hard decisions a publisher has to make re pay. He also noted that higher-paying outlets usually prioritize commercially oriented service journalism.

26:46*The Editor’s Influence on Writing* Editing helps Nathan understand how to package writing strategically, though he sometimes must silence his “editor voice” to write freely. He stressed the importance of knowing the target audience.

33:55*Views on AI in Travel Writing* Intrepid Times rejects AI-generated content, as its mission centers on authentic human experience. Thomas said AI writing has a “suspicious sameness” and lacks genuine voice or lived experience, even as the technology improves.