Abdul Wali Mansoor
(He/Him)
Covers:
Video Games, Movies, TV Shows, Books, Lifestyle, Travel, Finance, Technology
Doesn't Cover:
Medicine,Politics
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing Gaming Guides.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Unfortunately, It was before my time. But I would love to try one.
How is social media changing news?
Attractive headlines, fact-checking gurus in the comments, clickbait, and more accessibility. I'd say a mix of good and bad changes.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Jeremy Penter who also runs the ACG Youtube Channel. He always uses the right words and incorporates a fair bit of humor.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means breaking stories, creating lists, and educating the public on researched topics while respecting the facts.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I don't know about hashtags but this one time during an online game, I saw someone using Hugh Janus.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
My Email. I appreciate clear and concise paragraphs. Convince me, but do so sparingly.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Grammarly Premium, CapitalizeMyTitle, WordHippo, HemingwayEditor, and a bunch of Google Services (Tasks, Calendar).
What's your favorite social network?
Reddit. It has communities for most topics and a user base that is relatively helpful. Although, I love Instagram's ruthless comments.
Who do you wish followed you?
Followed where? In a dark alleyway? On Social Media? It's a vague question but frankly, as a twenty-something, I'd like to do the following.
Why did you become a journalist?
I've always wanted to learn more about the world and shape my opinions. Researching on topics as a journalist allows me to do just that.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Unfortunately, I didn't but I did score my first few Freelance gigs during that time. I remember writing plenty of gaming guides.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I recently wrote an article on the best self-help books. I believe it provides the most value out of all of my stories.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Being one myself, I advise others not to spend too much time looking for the best way to grow and just take the next step.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The Most Popular Cats of the Internet.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Worst Popular Cats on the Internet.
What's your favorite drink?
Even though you'll find me drinking an ungodly amount of water each day, I love a coo,l blue-ish teal colored fizzy drink.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Writing, Studying, and Researching but also playing a bunch of videogames and watching feel-good movies.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Eurogamer.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The general public loves deflation (lowering price levels), but it actually has the potential to ruin entire economies if it is not stopped.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.