| The light of day has barely broke and already rainbow | | | | This exercise will give you an idea of what to expect, |
| colored birds chirp encouraging symphonies on your | | | | decrease the chances of being caught off guard and |
| windowsill. I cannot do this, you confess to them. | | | | allow you to start comfortably incorporating overall |
| Congratulations. You are a first time, published author | | | | themes into your answers. |
| who has awoken to face the morning, if not the music, | | | | Authors with well prepared and thought out responses |
| of your first media interview. | | | | are easy to interview. My first assignment as a |
| Stay on topic. Arrive prepared. Take control of the | | | | reporter was, surprise, the responsibility of interviewing |
| interview. | | | | a local author who had recently published her first |
| This is the arsenal of vague anecdotes others have | | | | young adult novel. I recall asking the author when she |
| offered you. As someone who once made an actual | | | | first knew that she wanted to be a professional writer. |
| living of asking questions, I would like to offer you a little | | | | To the authors credit, she had arrived with a well |
| insight from the other side with a few basic | | | | thought out and interesting answer to this simple |
| interviewing tips. | | | | question: |
| First and foremost, there are three main components | | | | The author informed me of the following: |
| to every media interview: | | | | As a child she had written all of her life ambitions down |
| First impressions, final words and the five w's. | | | | on a piece of paper, a piece of paper that had |
| #1 First Impressions | | | | remained secured in a safety deposit box for over |
| Do not hesitate to introduce yourself gently with an | | | | fifteen years. Having recently opened the box, the |
| agenda. | | | | author herself was shocked to see the words 'write |
| For example: | | | | my own book' near the top of the list. |
| Author: Hello (insert name), I have been looking forward | | | | I opened my first article with this personal account and |
| to this interview for weeks. I am grateful for the | | | | it landed on the front page of the weekend features |
| opportunity to speak about my book, (insert title) and | | | | section - not a bad start for either the author or |
| also (list one or two topics of interest here). | | | | myself. |
| The topics of interest should pertain directly to you or | | | | #3 The final words |
| your book. This is your agenda. Perhaps you are a | | | | Be gracious, but leave them wanting more. |
| hard to find expert in a non-fiction area, donating a | | | | For example: |
| percentage of proceeds to charity or maybe, you | | | | Author: Thank you, (insert name). I appreciate the time |
| have created a uniquely flawed character that readers | | | | you have dedicated to this interview. I look forward to |
| are responding to expectantly. | | | | the possibility of speaking with you again when (insert |
| This is your attempt to engage the interviewer with | | | | up-coming event here). |
| topics of interest from the start. It will make their job | | | | The up-coming event you mention must be |
| easier. It will also let them know you are prepared to | | | | newsworthy, perhaps when the contracted movie |
| actively participate in the information exchange that is | | | | version of your book hits theaters or when you have |
| about to take place. | | | | a solid release date for the next title in your three part |
| It should be noted, that once you have taken the | | | | series. |
| initiative to introduce yourself gently with an agenda, an | | | | Remember, the media is always on the hunt for two |
| interviewer will more often than not make a note of | | | | things - new story ideas and contacts. By ending the |
| the topics of interest and either incorporate them into | | | | interview this way, you have just provided your |
| their prepared questions or come back to them | | | | interviewer with the potential promise of both. It is |
| individually at the end of the interview. These questions | | | | important in this stage of your career to build |
| will also benefit your interviewer during any awkward | | | | relationships with members of the media. |
| places in the session, where they feel it may be | | | | To that affect, a general etiquette rule and standard |
| necessary to improve the dialog flow or perhaps | | | | practice, is to follow an interview up with a simple and |
| make you more comfortable with the process. | | | | sincere thank you card. Take this as an additional |
| Either way, gently introducing yourself with an agenda | | | | opportunity to provide the interviewer with your current |
| ensures that part of the interview will be spent | | | | contact information, while reiterating your upcoming and |
| discussing what you feel is most relevant about | | | | newsworthy events. |
| yourself and your work. | | | | In time, as you become more familiar with the interview |
| #2 The five w's | | | | process, you will find that you have mastered the art |
| The who, what, when, where and why of each | | | | of first impressions, final words and the five w's. There |
| interview. | | | | is still more to do, continue to build on your interviewing |
| Before your first interview transpires, take the time to | | | | skills with advanced techniques. |
| list all of the potential questions that could be asked | | | | As you prepare for your first or next interview, always |
| during your up-coming interview session, then formulate | | | | remember the hardest part is over. You have already |
| answers for them. Enlist assistance from your family, | | | | written 300+ pages, found an agent, a publicist and |
| friends and publicist for this. | | | | survived the excruciating editing process. Interviewing |
| Do not memorize this list, it will make you appear | | | | well is essential, however, it is also one of the easiest |
| impersonal. However, it is highly recommended that | | | | and most enjoyable aspects of publishing a book. |
| you conduct practice interview sessions with anyone | | | | Just ask anyone sitting on your windowsill. |
| and everyone you trust. | | | | |