Each Monday, we’re giving readers a chance to get to know the media a little better.
With a little flair.
Our goal is to give readers some insight into the work and work style of area journalists, and get to know a little bit about the person behind the byline. Start your week off with an online networking opportunity through our Media Monday blog post.
This week: Valerie Easton, The Seattle Times and Crosscut
Valerie Easton has written a weekly garden column for Pacific Northwest magazine in The Seattle Times for 18 years; she also writes feature stories for the magazine.
She received her MLS from the University of Washington, and worked as a public services librarian for 25 years. Now she writes full time, and has authored five books including The New Low Maintenance Garden and her newest title Petal & Twig. Her latest venture is Book City, a weekly interview about reading and books, for Crosscut.com. Val lives with her husband Greg and Wheaten Terrier Bridget on Whidbey and in Seattle.
Q: What’s your favorite kind of story?
A: I love to write about houses and gardens that are personal, maybe a bit eccentric, a true reflection of their owner’s interests and aesthetics.
Q: If you could have someone else’s job, what would it be?
A: I think it’d be great fun to be a mystery writer, like Donna Leon or Elizabeth George, who gets to hang out in exotic locales researching their next book….or I’d go back to my previous job of reference librarian in a public library…my heart remains in libraries.
Q: Finish this sentence: “A good PR person is …”
A: …someone who skillfully says those things that are too difficult to say about yourself.
Q: What skills do new journalists need?
A: The same old skills – the ability to truly listen, great curiosity, perseverance, and a strong work ethic, because it’s all up to you.
Q: What hidden talent or skill do you have that viewers/readers don’t know about you?
A: I teach yoga four days a week in Langley – come on up and take a class: www.halfmoonyogalangley.com
The PR Pro Takeaway: Pitches to this journalist should stay on point and include any new trend or focus in her areas of interest. Also, a new yoga stretch might catch her eye.