Justin Tadlock Joins WP Tavern

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The kid scampered ahead of his classmates. He wanted to be one of the first to set foot in the building, but he stopped as he got to the first step. He looked up to count the floors. One, two, three…it wasn’t The Times. He was awestruck all the same. The Birmingham News.

Truth be told, the kid was a man grown in 2007, but he was still a kid at heart. His graduation was fast approaching. He’d soon leave The Plains, his home of Auburn, Alabama. He needed to get some experience at smaller, local papers before landing a job at The Birmingham News. He didn’t know it while standing on those steps, but before the day was out, he’d return home and start filling out applications for every small paper across the state.

His only real experience with newspapers outside of university was reading about J. Jonah Jameson and Peter Parker or following the exploits of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. He had this 1950s-esque picture in his mind of a cigar-smoking reporter wearing a cheap suit and fedora while pounding the keys of his typewriter. He’d be working toward a Pulitzer-winning story. Other reporters would sprint by his desk with their next big lead. The editor would yell orders across the room as everyone rushed to beat the deadline.

Reality didn’t exactly match the picture in his mind. The kid knew it wouldn’t. On those steps of the recently-built news office, he’d need to let go of the fantasy. He breathed deep and stepped forward at the instruction of his professor.

Field trips were a rare occurrence in college, but this professor was different. His classroom was merely a part of the learning process. Journalism was more than memorizing rules and writing a few papers each semester. The only way to understand journalism was to step foot into an office and observe.

That’s the day the kid’s life changed forever. He knew what he wanted to do after he graduated. He wanted to work at a small-town newspaper by day and pen the great Southern American novel by night.

The roads people travel are rarely the direct route they set out on.

A few months later, the kid was living in Atlanta, Georgia, and traveling to Home Depots across half the state as a vendor. During his summer in the Peach State, he got an opportunity to visit the CNN Center. It was a thing of beauty. With renewed vigor, he put in more applications at small papers. Either no one was hiring or he didn’t have the experience.

He applied for other jobs. Once he interviewed to be a used-car salesman. However, he landed a job teaching in South Korea. While imparting the few things he picked up about the English language to young minds, he began building his reputation in the WordPress community. Before leaving the country, he’d bootstrapped his own WordPress theme shop in 2008.

After 11 years, the kid stumbled upon an opportunity to join the staff at WP Tavern, a chance to combine his passion for WordPress and writing.

Now a new chapter in his life begins.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

My name is Justin Tadlock. I’m the new staff writer for WP Tavern. It’s my hope that I can bring a different perspective and produce many engaging stories for you to read long into the future.

You’ve probably used at least a few lines of my code to run your web site. I’ve contributed to WordPress in some form or fashion since I started using the software in 2005. I formerly ran Theme Hybrid, which was one of the earliest and longest-running theme shops in the WordPress ecosystem. I also co-authored Professional WordPress Plugin Development.

Over the coming weeks and months, I plan to get to know more of you within the WordPress community. I’ve been an avid reader of WP Tavern since its inception. It’s always held a special place in my heart, and I want it to be an environment where everyone feels welcome to discuss all the things happening in the WordPress world.

It will take me a bit to get a feel for the new writing position and find my voice. I may have a few hit-or-miss stories out of the gates, but I’m always open to feedback and criticism from our readers. Ultimately, it’s my job to serve you the stories that you enjoy reading.

I’m stoked for the opportunity to get to know more of you. I want to help you share your stories. I want the community to know the people behind this platform that so many of us rely on in our personal and professional lives.

I hope I exceed your expectations for quality reporting and feature stories for WordPress. Stay tuned.

Would you like to write for WP Tavern? We are always accepting guest posts from the community and are looking for new contributors. Get in touch with us and let's discuss your ideas.

52 Comments


  1. Exciting!! (and I would have never guessed)

    I can’t wait to see your articles. Congratulations Justin!

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  2. Sweet! Welcome to the Tavern, Justin. aI’m sure you will bring a lot to the site and conversation… congrats!

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  4. Welcome to the Tavern Justin. I have been a long time fan of your work at Theme Hybrid and the Members plugin. Looking forward to reading and learning from your stories / experiences :)

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  5. Hey Justin,

    This is fantastic news! I’m so happy for you.

    Like you, I’ve had a deep interest in journalism. I even worked at the Associated Press as a product manager and co-created the Reese Felts Digital Newsroom at UNC Chapel Hill to teach the next generation of journalism students the digital tools and techniques required for today’s news, including an intense focus on WordPress. It was there I founded WordPress Chapel Hill, which I ran for 7-years.

    If your passion is writing and journalism, then securing a position to write from experience about advancements in and the economy of WordPress is surely a great place to be. I’m hopeful WP Tavern focuses not just on the tech side, but also on the personalities behind some of the best tech in WordPress, as well as the economics of WordPress. I think WP Tavern fell a little short of connecting WordPress with opportunity and the business of WordPress – it’s there that needs some attention.

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  8. Nice! Congratulations Justin! I’m sure you’ll make an excellent contributor and look forward to reading whatever you come up with.

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  10. Congratulations :) How awesome to be able to combine your interests into one :)

    And congrats tavern too of course.

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  11. You have been an inspiration since early days of the career. It’s awesome to see your dreams getting realised.

    Wish you all the best and hope that you will keep imparting the knowledge and inspiring like you have been doing.

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  12. Congratulations to Justin and WP Tavern team, it’s win-win situation. As always, looking forward to learn something new from you.

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  13. Welcome! If you ever want to come and hang with us at WPwatercooler we’d love to have you one week!

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  14. Wow, surprised and very pleased! Well done, and long-live the Tavern! :)

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  15. Awesome news and congratz :)

    Can’t wait to read interesting articles from a fellow reviewer :D

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    1. Exciting news, congratulations Justin!

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  17. Yes! This feels absolutely like the place you are supposed to be.

    I know a big piece of your heart is dedicated to the whole WP community and you will not just be telling us news – are going to be telling us stories that we remember for a long time.

    I look forward to seeing what the future brings here :D

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  18. Congratz Justin.

    Looking forward to your posts :)

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  21. Salam. Welcome to the board Justin.

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  22. Amazing intro, and congratulations! I’m sure you’ll make a great team with Sarah! Looking forward to seeing your articles and I’m hoping that it will also bring new energy into the community here in WPTavern (with some friendlier and more supportive comments as well!)

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  23. Congratulations. It will be interesting to have your strong developer perspective on the topics and issues.

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    1. Congrats Justin! I’ve used tons of your code and was a theme hybrid member. Just liked the way your brain worked.

      I remember years ago finding your “other” life as a writer. Hoping your deep commitment to WP continues to be rewarded.

      Looking forward to your unique perspective on all things WP and hopefully a few interesting diversions too. Nice to know the humans behind the code.

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  26. What a surprise-move! But it makes sense. I have been impressed by the crystal clear way you write your documentation, your blog posts and book reviews.

    Congrats to you, the tavern and all readers :D

    Will you be traveling around as well? Hope to see you in Europe one day!

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  29. A perfect fit all around! Congrats, Justin and WP Tavern! Can’t wait to read your posts.

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  31. Congratulations, Justin! This is a shocking news and I’m very excited about your upcoming articles!

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    1. Congrats, Justin! 🙌

      Glad to see you here after Jeff. You’re going to be perfect. Best of luck.

      Peace!

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  34. Great news! Welcome Justin, I own your book, I read your articles, I learned a lot from you. I’m very happy you will be here. Stefano

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  35. Great news Justin, love the site and this gives me another big reason to keep an eye on the RSS feed. Good luck with it!

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  36. Can’t wait for a new and fresh perspective over WordPress. I assume the frequency of the posts will also increase.

    Cheers!

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  37. Congrats, now we know where you are! This is a perfect spot for you, as a blogger and developer.

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  38. Brilliant! I too have been a long time admirer of your code and posts about WordPress. As an WP instructor/trainer and user experience designer I always encouraged people to follow you. I remember your goals to be a write. Dreams do come true!

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  43. JI am very eager to know what kind of articles you are going to contribute to this blog, I will be attentive, congratulations.ustin

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  44. Hi Justin,

    welcome.

    I am looking forward to your writings.

    Have a good time at the tavern.

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  45. Brilliant. I too have been a long time admirer of your code and posts about WordPress, congratulations Justin!

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  46. Wow…. Congratulations Justin!
    Welcome to the Tavern
    You have always been my inspiration since my early days. I’m so happy seeing you achieve your dreams

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  48. I usually lurk, but I’l lcome out the woodwork for Tadlock.
    Welcome aboard homie!

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