Isolde Sonnemann-Creed
(She/Her)
Tempe
As seen in:
Blaze Radio
Covers:
LGBTQ+, Xicanx/Chicano/Mexican-American community, local government and politics
Doesn't Cover:
Conservative events and organizations
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I guess my high school newspaper? But besides that, then I guess just freelancing as a university student.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Nope, but I'd love to someday! I think the sound of the keys clacking does something nice for my brain... it's so soothing to listen to.
How is social media changing news?
It makes it much more instant. There's constant updates, revisions, changes, all happening at the same time. And news spreads like wildfire.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Does Raoul Duke count? If not, Peter Parker.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To shine a light on dark spots and to call things out for what they really are; to be the watchman; to give voice to the unseen and unheard.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Honestly, I don't tend to look at Twitter because Elon Musk is transphobic, so I don't see hashtags very often.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer emails or texts, honestly. Phone calls get rough, I get a lot of robo-calls sadly.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Google Docs and Gmail for most of my drafting and editing; beyond that, my phone recorder and a physical pen and paper does most work.
What's your favorite social network?
Bluesky, because it's the only one I really look at.
Who do you wish followed you?
I think it'd be really cool if Trent Reznor and Henry Rollins followed me. They're two of my biggest influences.
Why did you become a journalist?
It was either this or a historian. But really, it was so I could share stories like mine, stories about transgender and LGBTQ+ people.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Absolutely! I was a columnist at first, but then joined the editorial team. I was the features editor and was co-head with my now-fiancé.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wrote a story about The Tīpuna Project's visit to Arizona State University, which I am very proud of!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Phone calls aren't as scary as they seem, as somebody who used to have phone anxiety.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Afternoons - 12p.m. to around 9p.m. is when I function best.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I got assigned to report on The Tīpuna Project after they visited my university; it was a great opportunity and I learned about myself, too.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I had to visit a sports game in high school. I don't know anything about sports.
What's your favorite drink?
Alcoholic: Irish whiskey. Non-alcoholic: really enjoy some Italian soda from time to time.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Either working, on a walk, or visiting the grocery store. I visit the latter way too often because I like trying out new recipes constantly.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Big fan of Erin Reed's work, as well as LawDork. Beyond them, I read a fair bit of Al Jazeera for intl. news rather than Western papers.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
People think trans people are weird or creeps. We aren't weird, we're just people like you! We just want to be happy in our bodies.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
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