Monique LeBleu
Verified
(She/Her)
- Co-Editor, The Los Angeles Beat
- Event Editor, Better Lemons
- None, Better Lemons, The Los Angeles Beat
Los Angeles
As seen in:
The Los Angeles Beat,
PCC Courier
Covers:
Feature profiles, events, theatre, film, music, and food.
Doesn't Cover:
Sports coverage is best left to those most passionate about it and, on the whole, I just don't feel I'm the most qualified.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I was asked to write a profile on a basketball player from Nigeria and I know next to nothing about basketball. I surprised myself.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes indeed. I learned to type--although not all that well--on an IBM Selectric. I still remember the sound and feel of that machine.
How is social media changing news?
News travels faster than the speed of light today and Citizen Journalism is keeping us all on our toes.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday. If only I had a mind that fast.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means being responsible for reporting the truth, being ethical in reporting, and being brave with an opinion piece.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via email is best for everyone concerned and makes it easier for me to track, follow-up, and/or calendar.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Laptop, a portable audio recorder, OpenOffice, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Elements (for video and audio,) a Canon Rebel T7i, & a smart phone.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, because of the speed in getting news. It can be a handy news aggregate.
Who do you wish followed you?
Barack Obama, Rachel Maddow, David Fahrenthold, Maggie Haberman, Andrea Mitchell, Robert Reich, Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, & Helen Mirren.
Why did you become a journalist?
I enjoy telling a story, especially someone else's.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I had no idea what to do with my life in High School. I found Journalism much later in life and was various editors on my college paper.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My last one.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Fight procrastination and self-doubt, if/when it happens. Ask for what you want. The worst thing they can do is say is "No."
When's the best time to pitch you?
Evenings
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Any pitch that is clear and short, with the meat of it presented first; Any thorough with contact info, other sources, & Hi-Res images.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
For the most part, people who take the time to pitch have thought it out. It's a brave thing to reach out and I never forget that.
What's your favorite drink?
Wine. All the wine.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Having a nice meal or a glass of wine with friends.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, LAist, L.A. Taco, Gastro Obscura, Atlas Obscura, LA Eater, Boston Globe Spotlight & beaucoup blogs.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I know everything there is to know about wine. I don't. I enjoy it and I know what I like, but a proper Sommelier I am not.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.