Leslie A. Westbrook
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Montecito Journal,
Robb Report,
Traditional Home,
Next Avenue,
Santa Barbara Independent,
Sunset,
AFAR,
Ventura County Reporter,
Alta Journal,
Nob Hill Gazette,
Coastal View News
and
Covers:
travel, design, the arts, food, wine, people, non-profits, first person essays
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Art review for a weekly newspaper.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, IBM selectric. Loved it. Used a lot of tape and scissors as well.
How is social media changing news?
I missed the blog train.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Brenda Starr.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
The world is your oyster. I am very lucky.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
MacBook Air.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
Steven Colbert, Michelle Obama, Ronan Farrow.
Why did you become a journalist?
To see the world, meet interesting people, hear great music, eat and drink well and see great art. But i still want to change the world.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, I was an art major.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The ones on non profits that shine a light and oft times elicit donations!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Keep your butt in the chair.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime, as long as it's an email. I'll get it. I live on this dang computer. In fact my keys are worn out.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Would I like to go to..... you name it.... and we will fly you there.
What's your favorite drink?
Red wine i can't see through.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On the road.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New Yorker. LA and NY Times.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That most of the publications I write for cover expenses.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.