Sun, Feb 01 2004

Press Credential Limbo

I am so glad someone brought this up. A blogger is sometimes viewed as being half a writer, but so are other online journalists at times. I have attempted to obtain credentials using Deb's Monthly Review, and am constantly asked to prove that I work for a publisher. Hi there, credential-granting person. It's me. I am who I work for, and I'll bet I put in at least as many hard hours of work as anyone else you might approve, and I have power to reach a lot more people than some folks you might approve.

The really funny part is that readers of the ezine often look at me as a true professional and even an expert. I am asked for advice and information that much larger "print" publishing houses would probably ignore. And some event coordinators send me information without my having to beg to be considered a professional. It's a very strange dichotomy that exists in the world of journalism. I suppose it will take some time for the old ways to catch up with the new ways. In the meantime, I'll just keep working like the professional that I am. And apparently my busy readers don't give a rat's patootie about your credentials anyway unless it means I can get thorough, timely information to them. If I have to choose between pleasing you and pleasing them, it's an easy choice.

posted at: 05:38 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry