Longform Podcast #579: Kelsey McKinney

Kelsey McKinney, features writer and co-owner of Defector.com, discussed her career strategies and upcoming book on the Longform Podcast released in May 2024.

McKinney hosts the podcast "Normal Gossip" and is the author of the forthcoming book "You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip," scheduled for release in 2024. She shared insights on navigating a creative career, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning over romanticized notions of artistic work.

"I was always very interested in how you strategize a creative career. And I think that that is an unsexy thing to talk about, right? It's much sexier to be like, Oh, I love working on my sentence-level craft, which is not true for me," McKinney said. "But I think that a lot of a creative career is understanding it is still a job, and then understanding how you make sure that within the container of the job you can do the work that you want to do. That is a really difficult balance to make. So if you can understand how people who have done it before you, you can copy them."

McKinney's work at Defector.com focuses on long-form journalism, while her podcast explores everyday gossip as a cultural phenomenon. Her book will examine the role and impact of gossip in society, blending personal essays with reported pieces.

The Longform Podcast episode featuring McKinney is available for download on the Longform website. The podcast typically features interviews with journalists, writers, and other media professionals discussing their careers, work processes, and industry insights.

Defector.com, co-founded by McKinney and her colleagues, operates as a member-supported sports and culture website known for its independent journalism and community-driven approach. The site launched in 2020 following the dissolution of SB Nation's parent company, Locksley, and subsequent mass layoffs.

McKinney's appearance on the Longform Podcast highlights her contributions to contemporary media through her writing, podcasting, and entrepreneurial efforts in digital journalism. Her upcoming book is anticipated to offer further perspectives on the intersection of personal narrative and cultural commentary.