Greetings From the Sick Ward
Somewhere between the changing of the seasons, a journalism conference, a four-hour career fair, two Hinge dates, a couple of job interviews and an impending move I managed to come down with a cold.
So bear with me today, please.
We’re going through some changes here at The Gothamite, and I wanted to give you an explanation as to what is changing and why.
Let’s Break It Down
Good News: I want to write longer stories here that include quotes from actual people and easy-to-understand charts.
Bad News: Doing that will require me to post less often, likely every two weeks instead of every week.
But Why?
Career reasons. Last summer I decided I wanted to make the shift to data journalism, so I started making original charts and posting them on TikTok. Here’s an example:
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A few weeks after becoming a TikToker I fired up this email list again. Partly to get my views out there, partly to impress future employers and partly to get a little bit of income.
But there’s a missing piece: what journalists call “reporting,” talking to sources and getting quotes. That’s something I haven’t done since I left my last job.
So I’d like to combine the charts, substack newsletter and my reporting skills. I think it’ll help me to grow into a full-fledged data journalist and give me a portfolio of work that I can show to employers.
Writing fewer, longer posts also gives you, the reader, a more thoughtful and nuanced take. There are plenty of places that can give you quick, shallow news.
I want to give you something worth settling in to read.
Still With Me?
Now if that sounds lame and you want to go, I totally understand. Your time, your money and your email inbox are things I don’t take for granted.
But I think if you give this new format a shot, you’ll be happier for it. I know I will!
See you in two weeks,
L.A. Vasant
