Alison Blackman
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Advice Sisters,
LinkedIn,
Medium,
StyleCaster,
American Society for Microbiology (ASM),
Contagion Live
Covers:
beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, wine, spirits, tech, adult/intimacy, books, luxury, cruises specifically, unique items, music, enterainment, relationships
Doesn't Cover:
teens, kids, babies
Writer/Author with ideas to make life easier, interesting, beautiful, successful & fun! Find more about me on LinkTree: linktr.ee/AlisonBlackman
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Paying job? I worked as a Managing Editor at John Wiley & Sons
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Of course, how do you think I learned to type faster than you can talk?!
How is social media changing news?
I am not sure it is changing news. Social media is not vetted so I'm not sure it is news
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I don't generally read fiction...real life is so much more interesting
What does it mean to be a journalist?
I don't know that I ever thought about it in those terms. What does it mean???? Uh...let me think about that one...
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
uh....no!
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
email please, I'm always startled when someone calls me on the phone. Make your pitch personal, relevant and to the point without clickbait!
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Windows 8, Nikon, smart phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, wordpress, FINGERS AND BRAIN
What's your favorite social network?
I can't say...I'd hurt Facebook's feelings, LOL
Who do you wish followed you?
I wish everyone followed me! I am flattered when very accomplished authors, and fashion/beauty professionals follow me.
Why did you become a journalist?
I have always been communicative. I have always taken on the task of writing at whatever job I had.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was the editor, and I was fearless. I called celebrities up from the phone book and got interviews with them
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I have written thousands of stories, I don't think I could pick just one
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
do it only if you love it, or go into finance if you want to really make money
When's the best time to pitch you?
you can pitch me any time, but I tend to sleep at night....try mornings
What's the best pitch you ever got?
the best pitches are those to the point, without click bait headlines. Mentioning my site in a personal way helps too
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Dear Mr. Smith. (not my name and I'm a woman) and then a pitch about something not related to my focus, and mentioning I live in LA (I don't!
What's your favorite drink?
really good scotch, especially from Islay
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
I am at the computer, a lot. But I also am interested in travel, food and wine, tech, and music. I have won several blue ribbons for jelly!
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I love to read non-fiction books, especially history and culture. I also like eye candy such as cookbooks and art books
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
the most common misperception is that advicesisters.com is an advice website. It is a lifestyle website with reviews and features.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.