ProfNets of the Week

by admin ~ March 12, 2010

It’s time again to take a look at some of the strange and interesting queries from ProfNet, a service that sends us journalist queries and calls for sources dozens of times throughout the day. Enjoy!

FITNESS: Personal Trainers’ Biggest Pet Peeves — Freelancer
For a national women’s magazine, I’m looking to hear from trainers or other gym professionals about the kinds of moves you hate seeing people execute at the gym, either because they’re ineffective or being performed with suboptimal form. Some examples: fruitlessly ODing on cardio, jerking the lat pull-down bar behind their heads and letting their butts sag in plank position. These have largely been covered before in women’s magazines, and I’m looking for fresher examples. If you have any, please send them my way and I’ll follow-up if we can use. Contact: XXXXXXX

DATING: Dating During a Summer Blackout — Match.com/MSN Dating & Personals
I’m working on a rather unusual story for Match.com/MSN Dating & Personals — tips for dating/romance during a late summer blackout (like the one in New York in 2003). Has anyone out there experienced this, and are you willing to share your story? Are you a dating expert with a fun take on this idea? Send me your quotes/anecdotes and I’ll include them in the story with full attribution. I’m a freelancer. Contact: XXXXXXX

FUNERALS: Funeral Planning — GateHouse Media
I am seeking a funeral planning checklist. What should you have completed so your wishes will be granted and your family won’t be burdened? Funeral home, cremation or burial, flowers? I am writing this article for GateHouse Media, which has daily and weekly newspapers in 13 states. I’m a freelancer. Contact: XXXXXXX

BEHAVIOR: Psychological Issues of Fairy-Tale Characters — Freelancer
I’m working on a magazine query for a national health publication about the psychological issues of fairy-tale characters. Was Goldilocks a kleptomaniac? Did Little Red Riding Hood suffer from PTSD after her encounter with the wolf? I’d like a psychologist with a sense of humor who can comment on these characters and their possible diagnoses. Contact: XXXXXXX