What was your first job as a journalist?
I worked at ArcaMax Publishing for 10 years as a special features editor, during the BuzzFeed boom. It was a confusing time.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
It's been years, but yes.
How is social media changing news?
It's faster - and all the good, bad, and ugly that entails. We couldn't have the good without the bad, though.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Sarah Jane Smith.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To keep readers informed and enlightened, even when doing so is uncomfortable or doesn't suit our own biases.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
In my industry? pretty much becoming Naruto's new name.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Straightforward and to the point. My beats are fairly narrow and defined; I'd rather know right away if we're a good match.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, TweetDeck, ToDoist, GoogleDocs, Slack, and more I'll probably find out about later.
What's your favorite social network?
In-person. Failing that, Instagram.
Who do you wish followed you?
N/A. No matter how much I admire someone, I wouldn't want them to follow me for my sake. Only if they like my work.
Why did you become a journalist?
I can type fast, research fast, and get to stay on top of what's going on in fields I enjoy.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Our high school didn't have a newspaper. I went to a private school of 200 students total. We didn't even have a football team.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wrote the obituary for one of my favorite manga creators, Monkey Punch. Not a "proud" moment exactly, but I'm glad I could.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Get your form down first: spelling, grammar, documentation. A lot of editors go straight for whoever requires the least proofreading.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Mid-morning Eastern time.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was once asked to do a run-down of new fantasy anime series with fictional bookends of being transported to another world.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
One company keeps trying to get me to write about their camping gear because I write a lot about an anime about camping.
What's your favorite drink?
Earl Grey.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Looking after family, spending time with friends, reading, or catching up on a TV series.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
After a day with my head in the industry, I prefer reading private blogs on personal development.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we spend all day watching anime and playing video games.
