Dave Kindy
Verified- Freelance Writer, Freelance
- Freelance Writer, Smithsonian Magazine
- Multimedia Journalist, Wicked Local
Plymouth
As seen in:
Smithsonian Magazine,
Wicked Local,
MSN,
The Athletic,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life,
The Washington Post,
USA Today,
National Geographic,
Boston.com,
Infobae,
SFGate
and
Covers:
History, Science, Military History, Books and Personalities
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Cub reporter for a community paper. Man, was I wet behind the ears!
Have you ever used a typewriter?
That's what I cut my chops on!
How is social media changing news?
Not in a good way. Too many people think they are reading news when in reality they are reading opinion or outright lies.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Humphrey Bogart as Ed Hutcheson in "Deadline"
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It is a serious responsibility to get it right but it is also fun to tell the story.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Can't recall any
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer to make pitches by email, then follow up by phone. Good to connect and make sure the pitch was seen and understood.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Word, PhotoScape, social media
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
On social media? I like to follow and be followed by authors, historians and journalists
Why did you become a journalist?
I always loved to write and was fascinated by newspapers. I love to tell a good story.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, I wrote articles and helped with photography, design and layout
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
An article I wrote about two local veterans who were at the Battle of Hue in Vietnam 50 years ago. I felt very proud to recognize them.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't get in this business and expect to make money. Do it because you want to set the story straight.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time. I have access to my email 24/7.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I make pitches to editors as a freelancer, I love to tells stories about people, so that's what I focus on.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was an editor so long ago I can't remember.
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking the dog or watching the Red Sox.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Smithsonian Magazine
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That history is boring. It's really quite exciting if written by someone who understands and enjoys it.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.