Stacy Olive Jarvis
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
BBC Sounds,
MSN,
MSN UK,
BBC News,
Washington Post Opinions,
El Periódico,
Infobae,
Taylor & Francis Online,
The Conversation,
The Philadelphia Inquirer
and
Covers:
Cultural policy, arts and culture, classical music, opera, cultural history, European affairs, cultural diplomacy, heritage, archives, arts funding, public institutions, music history, museums and per
Doesn't Cover:
Sport, finance, cryptocurrency, consumer technology, gaming, automotive, beauty and product reviews.
Interview
How is social media changing news?
Social media has made news faster, more immediate and more democratic — but speed can flatten context. I’m interested in doing the opposite: taking the story everyone is talking about today and asking what history can tell us about why it matters.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To notice what others overlook, ask the question nobody has asked yet, and make the answer matter to someone who knew nothing about the subject five minutes ago.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email, with the story in the first few lines. Tell me what’s new, why it matters now, and what access, expertise or material you can offer. I’m especially interested in classical music, opera, cultural history, archives and heritage — and I’m always interested in a forgotten story with a strong contemporary hook.
Why did you become a journalist?
Any time for genuinely time-sensitive stories. For features, a few days’ notice is ideal. I’m particularly interested in classical music, opera, cultural history, archives and heritage, especially stories with a strong historical angle or a surprising connection to the present.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Pitch the story you can’t stop thinking about. Be specific about why it matters now, and don’t be frightened of hearing no — sometimes a rejection just means you haven’t found the right home for it yet. Most importantly, develop expertise: knowing something deeply gives you stories other people simply won’t see.
What's your favorite drink?
An aggressively strong cup of Earl Grey. Preferably somewhere with a piano.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In an archive, probably having become far too excited about a letter nobody has opened in 150 years.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Prospect. I love writing that takes a current cultural or political question and gives it historical depth without losing sight of the story. I’m also an enthusiastic reader of Opera — proof that my definition of light reading may be slightly questionable.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.