Niran Al-Agba
Bremerton
As seen in:
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
USA Today,
Yahoo News,
Fortune,
Yahoo Sports,
Yahoo,
Townhall,
The New Republic,
Tacoma News Tribune
and
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing for the Kitsap Sun Newspaper
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Absolutely! I just took in my moms 1962 Smith and Corona for repair. I LOVE the click, clicking and the bing at the end of the line.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is like a freeway for accessing up to date news information. It connects people in a novel way we have never experienced.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I don't know.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means you are a writer and there are media outlets who publish your pieces for others to read.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
#there are many...
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
All ways are acceptable and encouraged. I love having editors give me ideas.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word. Internet explorer. I am not very tech-savvy.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
Patients, those writing health policy, independent physicians, and parents.
Why did you become a journalist?
I have a lot of experiences as a physician, patient, and parent. I hope the world finds them interesting or valuable in some way.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No. I did work for my high school yearbook. I was the activities and current events editor.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The piece about my father with physicians and mercy. It resonated in a way with readers I have never seen before.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write. Then keep writing. It takes a lot of rejection to get to perfection. (I am still not anywhere close.)
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime. Having four young children, I am often up late typing away on a new piece.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Something I have yet to receive...?
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
No bad pitches yet.
What's your favorite drink?
Diet Coke
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
With my children or working at my office.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Time Magazine and the New York Times
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I am a man. Everyone refers to me as "him" or "he". I am not sure why that continues to happen after 2 years.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.