Neil Briscoe
Verified
As seen in:
The Irish Times,
Apple News,
MSN,
The Telegraph,
New Scientist,
Auto Express,
Jalopnik,
Motor1 UK,
The Canberra Times,
The Drive,
Wallpaper* Magazine
and
Covers:
Motoring, aviation, science, aerospace, technology, motorsports
Freelance car writer @IrishTimes, @CompleteCar etc. Dad, car nut, geek. Views my own. 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🏳️🌈 Profile pics @popbangcolour @pmcgphotos Now on Bluesky
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first proper job as a journo, straight out of university, was working as 'Clubs Editor' on Classic & Sports Car magazine.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yup. Learned to type with one. Which is probably why I destroy laptop keyboards with such alacrity.
How is social media changing news?
It's making it considerably worse.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Roy Lanchester. If you know, you know.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It's an important job, more so than ever in a world of swirling disinformation. I only write about cars though...
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Not a clue. I'm too old to remember hashtags.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I don't. I'm a freelancer, so I'm the one doing the pitching.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
A laptop. A phone. Pages. Word. Email.
What's your favorite social network?
I detest them all, to be honest, but Bluesky seems the lest toxic of them for now.
Who do you wish followed you?
You mean online? Or physically? Two very different answers, really...
Why did you become a journalist?
I love cars and I love writing, so it just seemed kinda natural.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
We didn't have one, but I did start writing for my local classic car club newsletter when I was at school. Does that count?
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I think the best piece I've ever written was my Irish Times review of the VW Grand California. I invented a new word for that one...
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Work hard, spell right. Love the writing first and foremost. Research. Double-check.
When's the best time to pitch you?
I'm a freelancer. I'm the pitcher, not the pitchee.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
From a PR person? 'Would you like to come and drive across Iceland in the dead of winter?'
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Something about cycling telematics software.
What's your favorite drink?
Tea. Or a really good beer. Or a really good red wine.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Driving, doing a school run, walking my greyhound, in the cinema, reading a chunky WW2 history book...
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Autocar, The Road Rat, Auto Express, Top Gear, Car, Motor Sport, Octane, Empire, the list goes on...
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it's glamorous. Or well paid.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.