Episode 245: Phil Hoad and his Atavist Story ‘Cat and Mouse’

Phil Hoad
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By Brendan O’Meara

Phil Hoad (@phload) is a journalist based in the south of France and his latest piece is featured in The Atavist. It’s titled “Cat and Mouse.”

It tells the story of two animal rights activists and their drive to find who they think is a serial killer of cats, rabbits, and foxes, but mainly cats.

In this bonus episode, I speak with lead editor Jonah Ogles (@jonahogles) about Phil’s pitch, what makes certain pitches have legs while others don’t, and the importance of figuring out how to end things. It’s much like when I spoke with Atavist editor-in-chief Seyward Darby.

Then Phil unpacks the story from there.

Keep the conversation going on Instagram and Twitter @CNFPod and if you’re feeling kind, leave a written review on Apple Podcasts. If you do, I’ll coach up a piece of your writing of up to 2,000 words. Send me a screen shot of your review once it publishes, and we’ll take it from there.

If you want to support the show and the audio magazine, head to patreon.com/cnfpod to become a paying member. Membership grants you exclusive access to forthcoming audio magazines, transcripts, coaching, and more. Shop around!

If you’re interested in this conversation, consider pairing it will Scott Eden’s investigative work, Evan Ratliff chronicling a cyber drug-dealing kingpin or even David Grann writing The Killers of the Flower Moon.

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