Chris Van Leuven
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
MSN,
The Guardian,
Red Bull,
Miami Herald,
Outside Magazine,
The Charlotte Observer,
The Sacramento Bee,
REI Co-op Journal,
Kansas City Star,
Men's Journal
and
Covers:
Adventure and outdoor exploration
Climbing culture and history in Yosemite and beyond
E-biking tours and sustainable travel
Hidden travel gems
Doesn't Cover:
politics
📍 Yosemite E-Biking Founder 🚴♂️ | Adventure Writer ✍️
🌄 Guided e-bike tours in the Sierra Foothills
🧗 Over 20 years of storytelling
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing Yosemite climbing news for Climbing Magazine
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I learned to write on a typewriter by candlelight.
How is social media changing news?
It makes the news immediate. It provides a bazaar setting for communication.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To speak the truth, to ask questions, to shape stories into visual understandings of events.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
by email. chris.vanleuven@gmail.com
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word, Numbers, iCal, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Why did you become a journalist?
I enjoy moving people with my words.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The Bomb Constructor (a bio piece on Eric Kohl)
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Carry your laptop everywhere you go, take notes immediately as events happen and when people speak. Take note of your surroundings.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Tuesday through Thursday 10am-3pm.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.