Meredith Kurz
Verified
As seen in:
LinkedIn,
Patch,
West Side Rag,
Our Town (New York City, NY),
The Spirit,
Chelsea News,
Our Town Downtown
Covers:
New York transportation, nonprofits, creatives, political influencers and business owners. New York City women's rights, ageism, accessibility and disability rights, senior living, and crime.
Doesn't Cover:
Professional sports, International news (unless it pertains to women's rights or accessibility rights), Washington politics (unless it affects New York)
Experienced Freelance Writer. Helping editors bring NYC ★ Business Women ★ Artists to print and online readers. ★ Transportation ★ Interviews ★ Hyperlocal
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I had a business byline for a local paper on Long Island interviewing small businesses.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes! That's an ageist question! Hah!
How is social media changing news?
People who only read their phone are more visual. Light brief paragraphs, and a hook to grab their thumbs are useful.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I read gobs, but I had to peek at the Wiki on fic. journ's. I'd say Stephen Colbert. There's some truthyism to his lies.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
My whole job is to bring my reader a story they'll enjoy reading and learn something they didn't know. I work the 'back of the house'.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#SENDNUDESPLS - Trapped Hikers used this as a rescue message link: http://bit.ly/rescueH
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Brief. Very brief.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Photoshop, MSWord, Excel, Moo Recorder, Google Drive, the New York Public Library, Writing groups off and online.
What's your favorite social network?
Currently Facebook, still. There's room for comment. It's not so brisk. You can wallow a tad, which allows you to think before acting.
Who do you wish followed you?
Ah! Any human working for the New York Times, including the security guard.
Why did you become a journalist?
We moved to NYC a few years ago. I felt it was a brilliant way to have a career while learning my new digs.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't work for a high school newspaper.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A modest piece called "Our Brother's Keeper" because it moved everyone in that room, at that meeting.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't think about yourself. Think about your readers. They feed you.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Morning. I am a morning gal.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I pitched and covered a Women's Basketball group w/over 800 members. They play for fun. The gym rocked with enthusiasm and goodwill.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I was asked to cover a new opera by a new composer far far far away
What's your favorite drink?
Coffee, with cream and sweetener though, because I'm a wuss
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Walking in and out of anywhere in Manhattan.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I like the Times, WAPO, HuffPo, the usual, but friends expand me with FB and Twitter posts.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
MYTH: It takes an hour to do a story. I 'get into the trenches'; talk to humans face to face, take pictures. I serve the readers.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.