Corinne Levine, Founder of Novel Travels
Name: Corinne Levine
Founder: Novel Travels
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I design luxury, book-inspired journeys that help avid readers step into the story through personalized itineraries based on their favorite authors, novels, and literary places.
What's your story?
I have always been a voracious reader who feels most alive when a book makes a place feel real, and over time I realized I wanted to give other people that same feeling in their travels. How I got here: I started in traditional luxury travel, learning the craft of meticulous trip planning at agencies like Eltee Travel and through my Virtuoso connections, where I mastered logistics, VIP service, and the nuances of high-end journeys. Again and again, I found myself drawn to trips that had a story behind them—walking streets I had read about, seeking out bookstores and libraries, and wandering historic neighborhoods that felt like stepping into a favorite novel.
That pull toward narrative-rich places, combined with my experience designing complex, seamless itineraries, led me to create Novel Travels, a boutique business built on the idea that travel can be curated the way a great book is crafted. I began mapping routes between bookstores, designing author-inspired tours, and collaborating with writers to turn pages into real-world experiences for my clients.
Why I do what I do: I do this work because I believe travel is most meaningful when it connects people to stories, history, and a true sense of place—not just a checklist of sights. Helping a fellow book lover stand where a beloved character “stood,” browse the shelves of a centuries-old bookshop, or trace the footsteps of an author feels like giving them a deeply personal kind of joy and recognition. At heart, I am searching for “my people”: readers who love to smell books, touch history, and feel that shiver of recognition when fiction and reality meet. Novel Travels is my way of weaving together my skills as a luxury travel advisor with my lifelong love of reading, so every itinerary becomes a chapter in someone’s own story.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being a Foundher, to me, means finally having a place where I can ask for real help and encouragement when building this niche business feels incredibly lonely. I’m hoping for women around me who “get it” when I say I’m struggling to market and grow this very specific, part of the travel world—and who can offer ideas, reassurance, and honest feedback. I want FoundHer to be a space where I can admit that social media, visibility, and even confidence are hard some days, without feeling like I’m failing as a founder. Right now, I often feel like I’m building Novel Travels in a vacuum, even though the industry feedback has been so positive and I know the idea is special. Being in Foundher matters because I don’t just need strategy; I need people who can remind me I’m not alone in this, that the hard parts are normal, and that what I’m creating is worth continuing to fight for.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
Supporting female founders, for me, starts with being really intentional about where I spend my money—choosing women-owned brands when I travel, buy books, or treat myself. I talk about them to friends, clients, and other advisors, and I love passing along my favorite women-run businesses when someone asks for a recommendation. And as a founder myself, I try to show up in communities, swap ideas, listen, and be honest about the messy middle, because I know how much it helps to feel seen and a little less alone while you’re building something you care about.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business? Mel Robbins, Goal Digger, Dear Foundher
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
Dear Female Founder
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
Leslie Tillem is the kind of entrepreneur and mentor I feel lucky to work under because she pairs sharp business instincts with genuine generosity. She has built an impressive career in travel while still making time to guide and champion the people around her, and watching how she leads—with confidence, creativity, and integrity—gives me a model for the kind of founder I want to be. I look up to her because she doesn’t just talk about big ideas; she takes action, shares what she’s learned, and believes in my potential even on the days when I doubt it myself.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
I clarified my niche and created a brand
I worked with a team to create a website and business plan
I created sample itineraries to share
I began reaching out to collaborators
I told my story wherever I could
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I am still not doing Novel Travels full time but I am a full time travel advisor.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
Being a luxury travel advisor has taught me the skills to work collaboratively with clients and create dream trips.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I have a college girl who helps me but I am doing it mostly on my own and am still struggling to build the right audience.
How did you land your first client?
I reached out to author Fiona Davis who agreed to work with me to create an itinerary based on her books which are all set in NYC. Through her connections I had 8 women join us on a tour last year.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
My niche is unique to the travel industry. Most literary trips are created around a specific book or author. I am creating trips for individuals and small groups based on books and authors they love.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?I would have my finances in better order.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
Word of Mouth, Instagram Referrals
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