John Paradis
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Medium,
MassLive,
DVIDS,
Daily Hampshire Gazette,
Greenfield Recorder,
New England Public Media,
Amherst Bulletin,
Athol Daily News
Covers:
Regional issues pertaining to New England with particular interest in conservation, environmental issues, climate crisis, historical preservation, public education, and saving local journalism.
Doesn't Cover:
As long as I can relate the topic to a local issue or person, I'll cover it.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Daily Campus, University of Connecticut student newspaper
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, I am old enough to have used a typewriter in a newsroom. The good 'ole days. LOL
How is social media changing news?
Misinformation. False information on the internet travels faster than the truth.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Howard Beale
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Giving the public a personal perspective on news and to stimulate public discussion on topics of the day.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
What's a #hashtag? Just kidding...I do not use social media. #dontusehashtags
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email me first and we'll go from there. I'm only interested in topics in my neck of the woods, New England, or are relevant to local readers
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Laptop and my AP Stylebook!
What's your favorite social network?
I kicked social media to the curb. https://www.gazettenet.com/Columnist-John-Paradis-44998625
Who do you wish followed you?
That don't make me no never mind
Why did you become a journalist?
To illuminate what's good (kindness, compassion, empathy) and to take on what's not good (hatred, violence, injustice) and human's inhumanity
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Nope. I started writing in college.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A column about military spouses and family members, who never get nearly enough recognition for their sacrifices
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't get too cynical. That and remember it's all about truth.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Interview with a homeless Veteran who had worked her way through substance abuse and homelessness with the help of a Veteran mentor.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I once was asked to interview a dog. At the time, I thought it was silly, but now I think it was genius.
What's your favorite drink?
H20 and an occasional Downeast Cider
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
With my family or outdoors hiking or running
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Sun (https://www.thesunmagazine.org/) or The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/).
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I have a misperception.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.