Skip To Main Content
Jon Finkel on Muck Rack

Jon Finkel

West Palm Beach
Covers:  men's lifestyle, fitness, sports, sporting events, televison, movies, health, athletes
Doesn't Cover: algebra
Bear Brawl out 11/10! Free chapters/swag/fight a bear: www.bearbrawl.com Books & Biceps founder | Midlife Male EIC | Masters Swimmer Join 30K readers:

Interview

What was your first job as a journalist?

Newspaper: The Santa Monica Sun - Website: HoopsHype.com

Have you ever used a typewriter?

No.

How is social media changing news?

The news makers don't need us anymore to get their word out. We have to give readers a reason to read.

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

William Miller from Almost Famous, even though it's based on Cameron Crowe.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

Access. For me, it's about entertaining readers by bringing them to places they'd like to go - or talking to people they'd like to talk to.

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

I don't remember exactly the phrasing, but it was #replaceclassicbooktitlewithbooze Example: Ale of Two Cities

How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?

E-mail: info@jonfinkel.com

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

Microsoft Word. Voice recorder on my phone. Laptop. I keep it simple.

What's your favorite social network?

Twitter

Who do you wish followed you?

Jim Murray, though he's not alive. Be cool if The Rock followed just me, since he has like 5 million followers & doesn't follow anyone.

Why did you become a journalist?

I devoured Matt Christopher books, the sports section of the Boston Globe and SI Kids growing up. Writing was next step.

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

No. I played three sports and didn't have the time.

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

When I was interning at a local paper during college, I got to write about my dad winning a golf tournament. That was awesome.

What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?

Write every day - even if nobody is reading it. It's the best way to find your voice. Without your unique voice, you're just another writer.

When's the best time to pitch you?

Any time.

Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview? Create a Muck Rack profile.