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Jed Bookout on Muck Rack

Jed Bookout

Los Angeles, Palmdale
Covers:  Politics Entertainment Breaking news
Doesn't Cover: Fashion Sports

Interview

What was your first job as a journalist?

Covering the CA-25 congressional election in 2020 for Los Angeles Magazine

Have you ever used a typewriter?

No

How is social media changing news?

It is revealing the unsustainable nature of most legacy media frameworks, including the paywall

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Peter Parker!

What does it mean to be a journalist?

To be the link between the community and the powerful

What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

Via email or in person

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

Google Docs, Adobe Premiere, iPhone, DSLR when available

What's your favorite social network?

Twitter

Who do you wish followed you?

???

Why did you become a journalist?

Because everybody has a story, and I am addicted to knowing everybody's stories!

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

No

What story are you most proud of writing or working on?

The Robert Fuller story for Los Angeles Magazine

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Never stop asking questions; if the subject stops answering, ask someone else the questions.

When's the best time to pitch you?

Whenever!

What's the best pitch you ever got?

The CA-25 beat for Los Angeles Magazine

What's the worst pitch you ever got?

None has been bad! ...yet

What's your favorite drink?

Orange juice (I think this refers to alcohol; I don't drink!)

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

On the field or at a movie theater!

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

AV Club, Indiewire for film news

What's the most common misperception about your beat?

That national politics don't affect local politics and vice versa.

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