San Diego Science Writers Association
By Deb Bright and Mike Price
The SANDSWA book club met for the first time last week to discuss Maryn McKenna’s newest book, Big Chicken, an eye-opening, historical account of the interplay between antibiotic resistance, politics, and industrial chicken farming. Continue reading “Inaugural SANDSWA book club recap: Big Chicken by Maryn McKenna”
This is Part Two in a two-part series on using direct and indirect quotes. Read Part One here.
By Tiffany Fox
Quotations (also known in journalism as direct quotes and indirect quotes) help to humanize science and often add much-needed emotional contrast. They provide a sense for the “characters” in our stories – what drives them, how they speak and how they relate to the world. Many times – especially when a source is particularly charismatic or cantankerous – the use of quotes can mean the difference between a stuffy, boring technical piece and a story that vibrates with life. But it’s important to know how to use quotes effectively, and for that, we offer these tips: Continue reading “How to Use (And Not Abuse) Direct and Indirect Quotes, Part Two”
By Deb Bright
It was a stunningly bright summer afternoon by the ocean, and the breeze was cool. SANDSWA was holding its inaugural happy hour at The Farmer and the Seahorse restaurant in La Jolla, and I didn’t feel like going. Work had been rough lately. But I went anyway because a number of my colleagues were going to be there, and I thought perhaps I’d have a chance to share some successes—and challenges—with them. Little did I know, that afternoon would mark the start of a new era in my career. Continue reading “How I moved from academia to industry, thanks to SANDSWA”
By Rachel Diner
At a recent SANDSWA event, I noticed most science writers I met did it professionally. Freelancing, working at an agency, teaching: SANDSWA members often get paid to write about science. Continue reading “To write or not to write: science blogging as a side gig?”
By Melissa Miller (See also Part I of this tour recap by Xochitl Rojas-Rocha)
I learned how to be a science writer and communicator aboard the research vessel Sally Ride, which is why it was very special for me to share it with you, my SANDSWA peers. Networking with and learning from this talented pool of people is helping me level up, and I am pleased I was able to give back to the group by way of a tour.
Continue reading “Sally Ride Research Vessel Tour: Part II”
By Xochitl Rojas-Rocha
(see also Part II of this tour recap, by Melissa Miller)
A fan of Star Trek can’t help but imagine the R/V Sally Ride with its humming engines, narrow hallways, and various clicks and beeps shuttling through space on a mission of scientific discovery. Continue reading “Sally Ride Research Vessel Tour: Part I”
By Allie Akmal
The words STORIES MATTER appeared in giant letters on the screen behind science journalist Ed Yong, as he stood, backlit, on the stage at Scripps Research Auditorium on a recent drizzly Thursday afternoon in San Diego. Continue reading “Ed Yong and the Craft of Science Writing”
