We recently connected with David Rullo and have shared our conversation below.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a senior staff writer with the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, and an award winning journalist, as well as the author of the book “Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the 90s Scene,” which was published in October, 2023 by Arcadia Publishing.

I’ve spent the last 30 years working in various forms of media and the arts. Professionally, I was the production director at KQV radio and have been published in most of the various Pittsburgh newspapers and magazines, as well as dozens of literary journals and numerous website. . Outside of my professional life, I was a member of the ambient/electronic project Architects of the Atmosphere and currently play in the band Central Electrique.

I knew I wanted to be a writer since elementary school. I have been fortunate to have found opportunities–first in college and then as a professional–that provided me outlets for my writing. At Point Park College, I was a writer for the school’s newspaper and magazine, editor of its literary publication, served as the radio station’s general manager, program director, production director and music director. I’ve also been lucky enough to have had a piece exhibited in the city’s Cultural District.

I self published a book of poetry, “Tired Scenes from a City Window,” several years ago.

It was a long journey to go from wanting to be a writer to being able to work fulltime in the profession to having the book about the Beehive, which was an Amazon best seller, published.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Nearly a decade ago, I was working as an account executive for a large Pittsburgh radio station conglomerate. It was a job I took simply to make money and knew I wasn’t very good at it. I decided that if I was going to be poor and unsuccessful, I would do it on my own terms. I told my wife I wasn’t going back to that job and, instead, was going to do what I knew I was meant to do–become a writer. Even though I worked in radio for nearly 20 years, I always wrote and continued to write for various freelance magazines and was published in different literary magazines. It was that decision that led me to where I am now–a nationally award winning journalist with a book, “Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the 90s Scene,” that was a best seller on Amazon.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, its always about the work. I’ve worked in several different mediums–music, visual art and writing–and in each, I’ve been interested in creating the best work I can, including learning all of the different aspects of the artform, whether that’s music production, learning how to stretch canvas or create a compelling narrative. And while I put a premium on the work, it’s just as important that I tell a cogent, simple story.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidrullo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dave.rullo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rullo/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaveRullo
• Other: https://muckrack.com/david-rullo
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