Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Gragert.
Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley as a highly sensitive, death-positive bookworm. I ended up going to college for business administration because I liked math and it seemed like the right thing to do. Instead, I fell in love with creative writing (mainly, contemporary poetry), started making money typing content for the internet, and dropped out of school after a year. Around this time, I also began receiving treatment for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, which greatly contributed to me being able to take this life-altering step. From my parents’ basement, I continued freelancing, writing about 20 articles per day (which I do not recommend), and ended up getting consistent gigs at art and culture websites My Modern Met and HelloGiggles. Eventually, I was asked to move to L.A. to become a staff writer at HelloGiggles — soon after, I was promoted to associate editor and then lifestyle editor, which allowed me to launch the brand’s first lifestyle vertical. After HelloGiggles, I went on to become a senior editor and deputy editor at a food and lifestyle site before going back to freelancing. In the midst of all that editing, I wrote for publications like the L.A. Times, Bust, Forge, Elle, Glamour, Dazed, InStyle, Elemental, Catapult, LAist, and — saved the best for last — Hunker! I’m now the senior lifestyle editor at Hunker, which is genuinely my favorite role yet.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
While acknowledging the many privileges in my life, I will say that I struggled getting my foot in the door as someone who was labeled a “young writer.” During my first few years in the industry, a lot of people didn’t take me seriously and undermined my accomplishments. In addition to not allowing other people’s opinions to alter my path or affect my determination, hiding my age also helped — sadly.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a writer and editor, and there are very few topics I won’t write about or edit (unsurprisingly, I liked all subjects in school). At the heart of it all, I truly love research and learning new things. I know a lot of people in this industry have a “beat,” but as an Aquarius who hates being boxed in, that has been something I’ve avoided. If I had to pick a subject, I’d say that I specialize in art and lifestyle content. If I could do one aspect of this job for the rest of my life, it would be interviewing people and telling their stories. That’s what I’m most proud of — supporting creative people who are changing the world.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
At Hunker, I’ve spent this year producing and editing our revamped Architect of Impact series, which focuses on people using design to create positive social change. It’s a project that represents everything I love about what I do. It would also be nothing without the talented writers I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. You can check it out here: https://www.hunker.com/architect-of-impact
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hunker.com/user/anna_gragert
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annagragert/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/annagragert
