Alisha McDarris
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Terradrift Media Co.,
Medium,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
BBC,
Business Insider,
Yahoo News,
SFGate,
Atlas Obscura,
Chron,
Flipboard
and
Covers:
Conservation, sustainability, science, outdoor recreation, outdoor gear, eco-friendly travel.
Doesn't Cover:
Beauty, fishing, hunting.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
A freelance gig at my smallish local daily newspaper, the Troy Daily News.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Of course! If I had room in my tiny house I'd have one on display (and for occasional use).
How is social media changing news?
Well it's certainly speeding up the news cycle.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I'm happy for editors or PR reps to approach me via email with possible story ideas.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Word, Google Docs, Dropbox, Lightroom, Wordpress
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram.
Who do you wish followed you?
The editor of NatGeo Traveler.
Why did you become a journalist?
There are so many interesting things about the world and the people and places in it. I love sharing those with others.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
My HS didn't have a newspaper, but I was on the yearbook staff. I was one of the head photographers/writers.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm currently working on a piece about veganism in first nations Culture for Saveur.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Have faith in yourself.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Typically I'm the one sending the pitches.
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee. All the coffee. It's the only beverage besides water I have a hard time going without.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Outside. Doing anything. I've got a slackline and hammock in the yard, but I'm just as likely to be backpacking, kayaking or traveling.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
NatGeo Traveler, Outside, Popular Science
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I get to travel and eat for free all the time. Food and travel writing takes a lot more work and hustle than people think.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.