September 26, 2007
Goodbye and Thanks: My Farewell Column
(From this week's issue.)
For the longest time, I never imagined that I’d have to write a piece like this. When I was hired to be the editor of The Pulse prior to its launch in the fall of 2003, I had visions of editing this paper forever. I figured the paper would get better and better, its circulation and revenue would increase, and maybe, just maybe, we’d find ourselves, say, mixing it up at national industry functions alongside the papers that inspired us to launch The Pulse in the first place.And all of those things happened.
Well, except for the part where I edit the paper forever.
While I’ll likely still be poking my head in from time to time, this week’s issue marks my last as editor. Pulse co-publisher Michael Kull is taking over my chair.
My time at The Pulse has been equal parts exciting, frustrating, challenging, rewarding, and exhausting. I’ve worked with more talented people than I can name, have received more than my fair share of both praise and flack, and have watched our paper go from being nothing more than an idea on a notepad to being voted in as a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies in less than four years. It has been everything—and nothing—like I expected it would be. Most of all, it has been incredibly fun. I will be forever grateful to our publishers, Zack Cooper and Michael Kull, for entrusting me with their paper. It has truly been an honor. And while I am leaving The Pulse for a new and exciting opportunity in the world of custom publishing, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the alternative press.
Looking back over 196 issues, the memories are voluminous and varied: Interviewing scores of interesting people. Receiving tear-filled thanks from grieving parents. Discovering amazing underground talent. Laughing uncontrollably while putting together our April Fool’s issues. Trading notes and talking shop with local media folks. Spending two full days explaining to people from coast to coast that, no, we didn’t actually kill any cats. I could go on for days.
This paper has been devoted to digging for bits of truth buried in mountains of dishonesty and spin, and I’ve been glad to man the shovel. As I leave, I am confident that The Pulse will continue its mission to give a voice to the voiceless, go deeper on stories when a superficial snapshot is not enough, and strive to tell the stories nobody else will tell.
To my fellow Pulsers, you are some of the most talented, funny, creative, inspiring, and caring people with whom I ever could have hoped to work. Even in our busiest moments, work never seemed like work. I am honored to have been part of such a great team, and I will miss seeing you every day. (The bossing you around part, I’ll miss that, too. The not seeing you part, though. That’ll be the hardest.) I will always look back with pride at what we’ve accomplished together, and will look forward to all the exciting days to come for you and The Pulse.
To our readers, you are the reason that we kill ourselves to do what we do. What you have to say about our work—good and bad—keeps us going. You deserve better, and that’s what we’ve tried to give you. Without you, this paper would simply not exist, and I am proud to say that I am now one of you.
See you around.
Posted by colrus at 12:08 AM | TrackBack
September 19, 2007
My Interview with Ken Burns
Read it here.
Kind of a dream, really.
Posted by colrus at 10:11 AM | TrackBack
September 11, 2007
I Am Leaving The Pulse
While I will elaborate futher later -- both via private communication with many of you and in a farewell column in our September 27 issue -- I can officially announce that I have accepted a managing editor position at True North Custom Publishing, and am resigning my post as editor of The Pulse, effective September 26.
The past (almost) four years have been a blast. To our readers and my fellow (past and present) Pulsers, I offer a deep, sincere, and heartfelt "thank you."
Posted by colrus at 11:43 PM | TrackBack
June 27, 2007
The ChattAANooga Pulse
A couple of weeks ago, on our third attempt, our paper was one of five (out of 19) papers admitted into the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.
The panel's recommendation reads as follows:
The Pulse
7 yes; 3 no
This paper is much improved from last year. "The local election coverage is remarkably hip, droll, and insightful," said one committee member. High marks for its sense of humor -- funny without being sophomoric. "This paper now has an identity and a level of maturity that puts it in a position to join AAN." There were some stumbling points but nothing significant enough to keep the committee from withholding its recommendation.
To all Pulsers past and present, as well as our supporters and dissenters, I offer a sincere "thank you." To have started this paper from scratch less than four years ago, and now be recognized at the table with papers we've long admired is a tremendous honor. We will strive to do all we can to build upon this validation, challenging both ourselves and our readers as we go.
Posted by colrus at 01:08 AM | TrackBack
May 31, 2006
All the News That’s Fit to Click: How citizen journalism and blogs are shaping your news
From the May 31, 2006 edition of The Pulse.
Dear reader, let me let you in on a little secret: You are a reporter. Media outlets like ours trust you to consume our product, spend your money with our advertisers, tell your friends about us and give us feedback, ideas and even leads. So why can’t we trust you to help with the reporting, too? Let’s face it, even in a city like Chattanooga with its many media outlets and news departments, there are stories that, after all is said and done, the media just can’t get to—stories that aren’t being told but need to be. That’s where you can help.
“Citizen journalism” (called “community journalism” by some) empowers citizens—via online messageboards or, more likely, a specialized Internet portals or individual blogs—to be their own reporters. Those practicing citizen journalism run the gamut, from the individual citizen to established media organizations. The Rocky Mountain News runs a portal called YourHub.com, billed as “a Web site of several communities where citizens can contribute stories, photos and events about things that matter to them.” Launched in April, the High Plains Messenger runs (like Chattanooga’s Chattablogs.com) on Movable Type blogging software, allowing reporters to post stories remotely and allowing readers to comment on articles. It is this simple, interactive commenting feature that forms the basis of citizen journalism.
Posted by colrus at 12:30 AM | TrackBack