Aaron James
Verified- Journalist, Cornish Times
- Journalist, The Cornish & Devon Post
- Journalist, Bodmin Voice
- Journalist, Bude & Stratton Post
- Journalist, Bude & Stratton Post
- Journalist, The Holsworthy Post
Cornwall County, UK
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Community Reporter at Cornwall Live.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I loved playing with typewriters as a kid, and I'd love to have one again.
How is social media changing news?
There's a direct audience/producer relationship that wasn't as prevalent in the print only times. Comms, response and feedback is instant.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
The Journalist from Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. Simply because he got to meet aliens. I mean, they did try and blow up Woking but......
What does it mean to be a journalist?
"Speak the truth and only then can you be free of your chains". As said by a Cornish rebellion leader before having his head chopped off.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
New Susan Boyle album with hashtag #Susanalbumparty which read as #SusAnalBumParty. Brilliant viral marketing and raised a snigger.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Don't send me a story saying "I've got great clickbait" for you or start a message rudely.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Google Docs/Sheets, CUE, occasionally Word/Excel, Audition/Photoshop/Canva and a Samsung Galaxy A40.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter although I have a love/hate relationship with all I use.
Who do you wish followed you?
Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches. Not only a brilliant singer and musician but a bloody brilliant advocate for some great causes.
Why did you become a journalist?
A long unrealised passion for news, writing and communication. After years of saying I wanted to be a radio presenter.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Never had one. It took me 18 months to persuade them to set up an internal internet radio station.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
At Cornwall Live, we do a lot of top grade weekend features about history, people, places, Cornish things. They're my favourite to work on.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't go into Journalism if your primary motivations are fame, glory and wealth. You'll only be disappointed.
When's the best time to pitch you?
After I've had a cup of tea.
What's your favorite drink?
Non alcoholic- tea. Alcoholic- I go in phases. Usually gin and lemonade. Or rum and coke. Or rose wine. Anything that isn't beer or ale.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Near the computer. Sometimes watching television. Lurking conspicuously near a pasty shop. Seeing humans. Driving. Listening to music.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Athletic writes some really interesting content on football. I wish they did Formula One and BTCC content, too.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we're all hateful fear mongerers with the sole existence of terrifying the public. We're not Daleks.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.