Steve Coomes
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
Bourbon & Banter,
MSN,
USA TODAY 10Best,
Substack,
Flipboard,
NewsBreak,
emerald insight,
Imbibe Magazine,
Edible Communities,
The Whiskey Wash,
The National Provisioner
and
Covers:
American whiskey, tequila, agave spirits and culture.
Doesn't Cover:
Travel
I write about and present on American whiskey, tequila and how to pair both with food. My work and leisure is a continuous pursuit of flavor.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
As a freelance cooking columnist for a tiny weekly paper. I was paid $37.50 per column! LOL!
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, and horribly so. Thank God for computers and word processing software!
How is social media changing news?
It's making the spread of news much faster. It's putting more people at the scene of news, too, turning citizens into reporters.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Not sure I know of any "fictional journalists."
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To tell factual, truthful stories in an entertaining and compelling style that leaves readers wanting more.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Apple computers running cloud programs from Google's software suite, Calendly, Zoom ... nothing fancy.
What's your favorite social network?
Substack
Who do you wish followed you?
My siblings. That way they'd finally understand what I do for a living.
Why did you become a journalist?
I'm perpetually curious, so I've always loved hearing others' stories and telling them to others.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I wrote a commentary or story or two.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My first book, "Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke." It taught me how fun and how hard it is to write a good book.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Become a specialist in your area of coverage. You'll be perpetually interested in it and entertained by it.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Early morning, when I have time to read emails. But I'm really not averse to emails at any particular time. I'll get to them when I can.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
We want you to come to see Destileria Fortaleza in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, and choose our annual Winter Blend release. Are you interested?
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
That's a tough one! Too many to count. Probably one to cover a fashion show in another country.
What's your favorite drink?
Cantarito
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
With my wife and friends, enjoying food and cocktails while making dinner.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New York Times
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it's easy because it involves alcohol consumption. You still have to be a good interviewer and writer to do this well.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.