tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post114874886761253689..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Interviewing 101JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1149298826115556282006-06-02T20:40:00.000-05:002006-06-02T20:40:00.000-05:00When I do interviews, I first go to Joe Konrath's ...When I do interviews, I first go to Joe Konrath's Web site and pick up a few quotable tidbits. How can I help but be a smash....Jeff Sherratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11568009953638177361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1149034248427301862006-05-30T19:10:00.000-05:002006-05-30T19:10:00.000-05:00One thing I have to say about brief responses, tho...One thing I have to say about brief responses, though. As a fan, searching out interviews with favourite authors, I don't want to see short, clipped answers. It gives me the impression the author doesn't like being interviewed, doesn't want to talk about their work or has nothing to say. Favourite authors, I can read about them for eons.<BR/><BR/>So, there's a balance between too short and too long. Enough to satisfy curiosity. No need for 10 stories to reinforce the same point.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1149002899210572752006-05-30T10:28:00.000-05:002006-05-30T10:28:00.000-05:00I think that some of this advice is good for the i...I think that some of this advice is good for the interviewer as well.<BR/>Thanks.Mellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461471128865537538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148933592693333722006-05-29T15:13:00.000-05:002006-05-29T15:13:00.000-05:00I thinks it's wise to get a video camera and pract...I thinks it's wise to get a video camera and practice on camera. This will not only work for your on-air interviews -- if you're lucky enough to have any -- but will also help you learn to present yourself better with print interviews.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11952008139132652259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148915319556522882006-05-29T10:08:00.000-05:002006-05-29T10:08:00.000-05:00Another weirdly timely post. Had my first intervi...Another weirdly timely post. Had my first interview yesterday at Balticon. It was a spur-of-the-moment podcast interview, for which neither I nor the interviewer had prepped. The interviewer was a real pro, considering he knew nothing about me except that I had a book coming out.<BR/><BR/>The Bad Part: No time to think about what I wanted to emphasize.<BR/>The Good Part: No time to get nervous.<BR/>The Really Bad Part: In the excitement over the new novel, I nearly forgot to mention the one that's actually already published. Duh.<BR/><BR/>Joe, do you prefer e-mail or live/phone interviews? I know some authors prefer to hone their answers over e-mail, while others realize that this will take days.Jerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148912188335208702006-05-29T09:16:00.000-05:002006-05-29T09:16:00.000-05:00A couple of other notes that I'd add to yours are:...A couple of other notes that I'd add to yours are:<BR/><BR/>Develop talking points for yourself so you remember your own message.<BR/><BR/>Don't forget to say the book's title. Train yourself to use the book title instead of "my book". <BR/><BR/>If a journalist or interviewer baits you, don't get angry. Stay charming, relaxed and on message.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148855098570860382006-05-28T17:24:00.000-05:002006-05-28T17:24:00.000-05:00If anybody's boring or pompous when I interview th...If anybody's boring or pompous when I interview them, I just re-write what they said.<BR/><BR/>Joking. Every author I've interviewed has been wonderful.<BR/><BR/>Common questions are specific to authors. Like Rankin being asked again and again about the end of the Rebus series. Or Peter Robinson, about why he doesn't set his books in Toronto, where he lives.<BR/><BR/>I'd guess Joe is routinely asked why he chose to have a female protagonist.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148827549352581002006-05-28T09:45:00.000-05:002006-05-28T09:45:00.000-05:00Interviews are also an easier sell than short stor...Interviews are also <A HREF="http://www.plotswithguns.com/PelecanosIntv.htm" REL="nofollow">an easier sell</A> than short stories -- at least that's been my experience. So don't hesitate to contact your favorite author and ask him/her to do an interview. You'll find they're easier to get published, and they get you in the door and get your name recognized (free advertising) just as much as short stories.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.staceycochran.com" REL="nofollow">Stacey</A>Stacey Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14128613653591282474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148818986030794942006-05-28T07:23:00.000-05:002006-05-28T07:23:00.000-05:00Ok, now tell us HOW not to be boring....Ok, now tell us HOW not to be boring....Aimlesswriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03012050763172251381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148813183259388772006-05-28T05:46:00.000-05:002006-05-28T05:46:00.000-05:00What are the common questions asked?Besides "So, w...What are the common questions asked?<BR/>Besides "So, what's your book about?"Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148767528536860542006-05-27T17:05:00.000-05:002006-05-27T17:05:00.000-05:00Hi Joe:I've also learned to make sure I make the i...Hi Joe:<BR/>I've also learned to make sure I make the interviewer's job easier. I've done a number of those "Morning Zoo" type shows, and your "job" is basically to make the DJs look funny--that's their schtick. Feed them lines and they will love you and have you back. I've done AM radio interview shows . . . my job is to make them sound intelligent. I send them 10 interview questions in my press kit. Homework done. They can deviate from them of course, but I've found 99 times out of a hundred, they don't They're too busy. I'm getting ready to film a segment for the CBS Early Morning show . . . and I basically gave the producer the whole visual set-up.<BR/><BR/>EErica Orloffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16415925758466527671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148758882814543122006-05-27T14:41:00.000-05:002006-05-27T14:41:00.000-05:00You wanna make your interviewer love you? Say some...You wanna make your interviewer love you? Say something quotable. It makes our job so much easier.<BR/><BR/>If necessary, figure out a few choice lines beforehand and then use them as appropriate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1148750580029641522006-05-27T12:23:00.000-05:002006-05-27T12:23:00.000-05:00Oh, oh, oh!I love #8 - "your shit stinks. Believe ...Oh, oh, oh!<BR/>I love #8 - "your shit stinks. Believe it."<BR/>Absolutely.<BR/>Great advice.<BR/>Thank you...um...Joe.<BR/>~note to self, need image consultant, maybe voice coach~Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.com