What was your first job as a journalist?
Writing obituaries at age 15 for the Daily Record in Wooster, Ohio.
How is social media changing news?
Social media is attempting to replace news and doing a piss-poor job of it. There are strengths to the platform, but not many.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Being a journalist means both having and obligation to inform while also fitting-into the news culture. Make small waves regularly.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Pitch anything you think I won't hate, but I accept only about four percent of pitches.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn
Who do you wish followed you?
Bob Woodward
Why did you become a journalist?
I had a paper route but writing for the paper allowed me to sleep later.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No, I have always been a professional journalist.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Out of 2000 over 30 years? Too hard to say.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write for free if you must, but write. DON'T write about yourself (nobody except your Mom cares). Go to the news.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
We're saving the world, will you help?
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Write about my company, it has a great name.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it is easy or that one can come up to speed quickly. There is just too much to know.
