#MediaMonday – Kelly O’Sullivan
Today’s #MediaMonday feature comes to us from Kelly O’Sullivan, the opinions coordinator for Independent Newsmedia,
Take it away, Kelly!
Where did you grow up?
I spent my first 15 years in Eagle Mountain, a tiny, now-defunct desert mining town in rural Riverside County, California, where my dad worked as a pit foreman for Kaiser Steel. We moved to Phoenix at the end of my sophomore year in high school.
How did you get your start in writing? Tell us your story and experience.
I can’t remember a time that I didn’t write, but I didn’t discover until I took a journalism course my senior year at Washington High School in Phoenix that writing was how I wanted to make my living. I graduated from NAU with a news-editorial journalism degree, and have spent most of my adult life working in community newspapers in Arizona, California and North Carolina, with stints as a civilian communications specialist for the Marine Corps in Twentynine Palms, California, and as a content writer for a major green industry distributor in Phoenix.
Tell us about your outlet and role. What types of pitches, stories are you looking for?
I’m opinions coordinator for Independent Newsmedia, which covers the Valley via YourValley.net and multiple hyper-local print publications. I’m looking for meaningful, thought-leader-style guest columns on issues that affect all of our communities. I’m also open to more lighthearted commentaries, too.
What are your favorite stories to cover?
I’m no longer reporting and writing news and features, but when I was, I loved people and travel features, as well as historical pieces.
What are some of your hobbies?
Photography keeps me sane, and I use my images to make greeting cards for family and friends. I also enjoy digging into history, hiking, thrifting, and visiting museums and cultural attractions.
Favorite movie or TV show or book?
Favorite books are “The Man Who Was Magic” by Paul Gallico and anything by Pat Conroy
Movies and TV: I love documentaries and true crime
Do you have any favorite local spots?
I’m obsessed with farm stores and farmers’ markets
What is the best way to reach you?
