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Dawn Burkes on Muck Rack

Dawn Burkes

Verified
Los Angeles
Covers:  Television; horror, including TV and movies; comics; pop culture
@dawnburkes got hacked. @latimes entertainment news ed. Ex @usatoday @ajc @dallasnews, etc. Rumored to have a personality-driven wardrobe. #FAMU #blerd

Interview

What was your first job as a journalist?

I was a hybrid on a sports desk, writing, editing and assigning.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, and I miss it. I liked the finality of striking the keys. When you write using a typewriter, you have to really mean it. And I did.

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Trish Tilby ... or Brenda Starr. I can never decide. Lois Lane is a bully.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

True stories.

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

Email. Please.

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

CCI, Serif, Slack, Google docs, a laptop with lots of memory, two cell phones

What's your favorite social network?

The more I'm on Twitter, the more I like it. But I still prefer a quiet chat in a corner.

Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?

Yes. Gossip column and sports.

When's the best time to pitch you?

Monday before 4 p.m.

What's the worst pitch you ever got?

There aren't any bad pitches. They're all fodder for my dramatic readings in the office, once a week.

What's your favorite drink?

White Grape-flavored carbonated water

When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?

At the park.

Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?

Blender. Oh, it's defunct? I still read my back issues.

What's the most common misperception about your beat?

It's all fun and games.

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