Stephen Axeman
Brooklyn, London
Covers:
God, sex, death, epistemology, having a good time, keeping it real, music, books, film, identity, politics, relationships, language (itself!)
Doesn't Cover:
Pretty much willing to cover just about anything. I will never refuse to cover a topic, but I will categorically refuse to promote a right-wing, or otherwise non-inclusive view on any topic.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first job as a journalist was covering the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. I did not see that one coming.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
You know I have. Thank you, Gina.
How is social media changing news?
Well, it has both a democratizing and polarizing effect. They are giving me like 20 words to answer this complexity. Power to the people.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
The narrator of Proust's work.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a good listener and observe carefully, always allowing yourself the humility of possibly being wrong, but putting down what you see.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Hashtags are so ephemeral, but #deflategate came to mind immediately. Any scandal that is genuinely innocuous I find funny.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email my gmail please
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Minimal. Microsoft Office, pen and paper, Ableton, my phone.
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter, no contest.
Who do you wish followed you?
Beautiful people who build on my contributions. Virginia Woolf and Italo Calvino would be ideal editors.
Why did you become a journalist?
I didn't think about it, honestly! One day I just started writing and then one thing led to another. I wouldn't use the term myself.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No! Much to my chagrin. I had virtually no conception of writing as anything other than a chore or game at that point.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
A few of the features: Panda Bear, Weyes Blood, Jess Williamson and the coverage of the protests occurring in Richmond, both have equal value
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Confidence in your own voice will take you far. That, and try to look at what isn't being said. Then you have something unique.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Anytime really, just reach out. If I am interested, I am there.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The opportunity to talk to several of my favorite artists! I'm going to personally say the #1 was talking to Noah Lennox, for me. Big fan.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I've heard some pretty bad stuff over the years, but the worst, I won't say specifically, has to be when someone misreads my stance.
What's your favorite drink?
Green Tea
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Eyes on my fingers plucking strings, or nose buried in a book. Otherwise, I enjoy learning new cooking methods and trying new cuisine.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I think Aquarium Drunkard has consistently great pieces.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I prefer to try to tune that out, but anything of a political nature puts you up for misinterpretations pretty fast. That I'm austere maybe.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.