My 6 Tips for a Great Author Interview

We all know that the best author interviews sound chatty and authentic, while also delivering insights into the author's life, craft and work--plus the writing process in general. 

Whether you're being interviewed online, on air or on stage, never, ever speak off the cuff. Instead, prepare, prepare, prepare.

Of course, you never want to sound like the scripted politician speaking strictly on message, but preparing ahead will help you to deliver information that's of real value to your audience and will build your reputation as an author and as a literary citizen.

Here are 6 tips for doing author interviews:

1. Request the questions ahead:  Once you get the questions, it's not enough to make a mental plan of what your responses will be. Write out each response, then refine and rehearse them. Pre-record and listen to yourself. Reduce that script to a cheat sheet of key talking points.

2. Dress for success:   If the author interview is on T.V. or on stage (say, at a writer's symposium or conference), dress professionally.  Wear a plain but flattering color, with simple designs and clean lines (no frills or flounces) and without any polka dots or busy patterns.

3.  Create your own talking points: Ask two writers the exact same question and they will each answer it differently.  Before you dive in and begin to review or script your answers to the interviewer's questions, create a list of your own talking points. What do you want to get across here? What would you like to happen as a result of this interview? Once you have your talking points, read over the interviewer’s questions and weave your talking points into your responses--but only if they're a natural fit. Remember, this is an interview, not a self-marketing pitch.   

4. Slow it down:  This doesn't apply to online or print interviews, but if you're on screen or on stage, remember that your audience is not as immersed in your topic as you are. Therefore, there's an inevitable lag-time between what you say and how quickly or easily the audience assimilates what you've said.  Slow it down, summarize key points, and don't be afraid of or rush to fill silent pauses. 

5. Give them the goods: Even if s/he says s/he already has it, follow up to make sure the interviewer or producer has your bio, including your name and, if your name has an unusual spelling, include how to pronounce your name. For online interviews, provide the bio, a professional head shot photo and a link to your author website.  If this is a return appearance, review your bio to check if it needs to be updated. 

6. Follow up with a thank-you: Be a good literary citizen.  After the interview, send a hand-written or well-written email thanking the interviewer for the time and his or her thoughtful questions. It's also important to do your part in posting the interview via your social media networks and, in each posting, remember to credit the publication or interviewer. 

Photo: Creative Commons license.