Friend and author Dan Alatorre is a diverse writer who runs a most interesting and entertaining blog. Dan’s blog is full of tips for writers, and he makes up some really neat writing challenges to throw in the mix.
Dan incorporates his natural sense of humour in all his posts, no matter how serious and informative the post is, that’s just Dan.
Today I’m reposting Dan’s 10 tips on doing author interviews.
“I can hear your collective groans from here. Stop it.
As an author, you will occasionally get to do interviews. As the shy, retiring type that most of you writers are, you won’t want to do them. As a marketer, you do want to do them! Interviews raise awareness of your product – the book you want to sell – but don’t be fooled. The TV stars you see being amazing in interviews on late night TV or the Ellen show didn’t just fall out of bed and hit a home run, being all charming and spontaneous and witty.
Luckily, most of the interviews you get to do will be by email or some other written version. (For some sample interview questions I put together, click HERE. Many are the typical stuff you’ll be asked; some are just me.)
Why is that lucky? Because radio and TV interviews are hard.
First, you will probably have to contact people to do an interview regardless of the medium; they don’t come out of the woodwork to track you down just cos you published a book. According to some radio people I spoke with, authors are alwaystrying to get interviewed – and trust me, doing radio is tough. Quiet spaces while you think of an answer seem like HOURS, and you react by trying to answer quickly – and usually too fast – so it isn’t your best answer and you aren’t happy with the result. The nervousness is noticeable in your voice. You sound like a gerbil.
TV is the same except they get to SEE you becoming a gerbil. That’s just… painful. . . “
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Source: 10 Tips For Doing Your (Aaaaauuuugh) Author Interviews | Dan Alatorre – AUTHOR