Alona Vasylieva
(She/Her)
Ontario
As seen in:
MSN Deutschland,
Yahoo Life,
Business Insider,
MSN Taiwan,
Yahoo News Malaysia,
Aol,
Yahoo Finance Deutschland,
Flipboard,
Business Insider Deutschland,
Business Insider Japan
and
Covers:
Community & Lifestyle: Observations on small-town life, local transitions, and community building in Ontario.
Aviation & Travel: Stories inspired by my professional background in aviation.
Doesn't Cover:
Breaking News/Politics: I focus on long-form reflections and weekly columns rather than daily hard news or political commentary.
Product Reviews/Influencer
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My journalism journey started with a TV segment on book-crossing in Ukraine back when the concept was brand new. Being part of that project taught me the power of 'boots-on-the-ground' reporting and the importance of localized storytelling.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I haven't used a typewriter for my professional work, as I belong to the digital generation, but I deeply respect the discipline it required—there was no 'delete' button
How is social media changing news?
Social media has shifted the focus from objective reporting to personality-driven influence, where 'trends' often take priority over truth.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I don't actually have a favorite fictional journalist. I find that real-life reporting is far more complex and interesting than what we see on screen, and I prefer to be inspired by the grit and integrity of actual colleagues in the field.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist today means providing the human heart and firsthand truth that AI simply cannot fake. It is about building real trust with people and telling the stories that only a human eye can truly understand.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I'm not a big fan of social media, so I don't follow hashtag trends
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer to be pitched via email. I value concise, well-researched ideas that focus on the human element of a story.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I mostly rely on my phone for quick notes and interviews on the go, switching to my laptop for the heavy lifting of writing and editing.
What's your favorite social network?
I like Pinterest for its focus on inspiration rather than noise. It’s where I organize the research for my writing and find unique ways to tell human-interest stories through a more creative lens.
Who do you wish followed you?
I want to connect with editors and writers who prioritize the 'human' element in storytelling. My goal is to build a network that values ethics and empathy.
Why did you become a journalist?
Although I earned my degree in International Journalism in Ukraine, my path took me through a career as a flight attendant before I rediscovered my passion for writing here in Canada. Starting as a volunteer columnist allowed me to fall in love with storytelling again, focusing on the human connections that define our communities.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
My high school in Ukraine didn't have a student newspaper at the time, so my formal entry into the world of reporting began later during my university studies in International Journalism
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I believe my best work is still ahead of me, but currently, I am most proud of my ability to write and publish consistently in a foreign language.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Stick to your principles, but never let your personal feelings get in the way of the facts. Real integrity means being brave enough to follow the truth, even when it proves you wrong.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Tuesday-Friday in the morning
What's the best pitch you ever got?
In my current column, I’m fortunate to choose my own topics, often drawing from my background in aviation. The 'best pitch' for me is usually an observation from my time in the skies that I can relate to life on the ground here in Ontario.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Nothing comes on my mind.
What's your favorite drink?
Warm water
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Doing my Pilates or yoga
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I closely follow Ukrainian news and science publications, as Ukrainian is my native language. Reading across two languages allows me to compare international perspectives and stay connected to a diverse range of storytelling styles
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
People often think small-town news is quiet or uninteresting. I’ve found that the most complex and meaningful human stories happen right here, where global changes affect real neighbors in very personal ways.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.