William McMichael
Verified
As seen in:
USA Today,
Wiley Online Library,
Chicago Tribune,
Times Union (Albany),
Delaware Online,
Law360,
Army Times,
JD Supra,
Daily Press (Newport News, VA),
La Crosse Tribune
and
Covers:
I'm now focused on my book about the WWII-era theft of the Hesse family jewels.
Doesn't Cover:
See above.
Freelance writer
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing music reviews for the campus newspaper at the U. of Southern Mississippi.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
You bet. High school and college.
How is social media changing news?
Social media often seems to be DRIVING the news. I see stories every day where someone was angry about something someone Tweeted.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Hunter S. Thompson ;)
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means standing up for the little guy; standing up to the powers that be; and making every word count.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
With a phone call. I don't pay much attention to blind email pitches of the "just checking in with you" variety.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
The usual stuff. Word/Pages, Excel, Google Docs, Skype. I do a lot of research via the FOIA. I use Twitter as a branding tool.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter. I follow people who keep up with the news and/or share my same cynical view of the world, and even some who don't.
Who do you wish followed you?
In my footsteps? ;) No one. Follow your own path.
Why did you become a journalist?
I got more or less ordered to write for the base newspaper at Fort Knox because the unit wasn't getting any ink. I caught the bug.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I wasn't aware of whether we had one or not. I wanted to be a DJ, not a reporter.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A 3-week investigation for Navy Times into sex trafficking outside U.S. bases in S. Korea. It helped toughen South Korean visa law.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Unless you're curious, have a thick skin and can write, don't bother. And have a Plan B in case things don't work out. It's a tough biz.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime is fine.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
About 90 percent of those tied in to Veterans Day. A few are well-meaning, but they're mostly just marketing efforts.
What's your favorite drink?
Single malt whisky.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On a bike, out in the yard, working on the house or walking about town taking photos. I love photography.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I have two: The Washington Post and The Atlantic.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Editors commonly think reporters can just walk onto military bases to talk with troops. Developing sources within the ranks is difficult.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.