What was your first job as a journalist?
Local.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
This is how I first discovered my love of writing. We had a hand-me-down typewriter from my grandmother. I used it until the keys broke.
How is social media changing news?
Social media's dual impact on news comes from widespread propaganda and citizen journalists fact-checking legacy media.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
April O'Neil.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means maintaining integrity, fact-checking, exposing wrongdoing,
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I usually think the funniest hashtags are the ones with clever wordplay.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is always preferred.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Far too many to list, as in addition to writing I'm also involved in ghostwriting, transcription work
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, pre-Elon. X is not the same.
Who do you wish followed you?
I have a lot of really wonderful followers. I only hope that those who follow me have a vested interest in my work
Why did you become a journalist?
There were things I had an interest in that weren't being discussed,
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, but I did win several awards for my writing. This included both at a state-level and national.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I'm proud of all of my deep dive and investigative pieces. News aggregation is not for me.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Read the classics. Read news. Read blogs
When's the best time to pitch you?
Between 6 am-12 pm EST.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Too many fantastic ones to choose just one.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I get monthly pitches to cover strange
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee, black.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
The gym, outside enjoying nature, or with my family.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Epoch Times.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I'm boxed into only a few subjects. I'm interested in so many different things, I never want to be known for just 1 or 2 beats.
