Email or Live Interviews? Preferences?

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I am thinking of doing my first Author Interview.

 

What is your preference and why?

 

Interviews Via Email, in person, or by phone?

 

Thanks for your input!

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Thats a great point as well, I should see what the preferance of the author is...

 

KW

[Allison]

Most of my interviews have been done by email. I had one request for a telephone interview. I bought the recording equipment and received permission to tape. It was a fun experience, but there were downfalls. First, the interview quickly became lengthy due to the side tangents one can take with this format. Second, the transcribing took hours. Third, upon reviewing the transcript, the individual decided to rewrite it all in an email format. Now I have a statement on my review policy, where I indicate that I only accept telephone interviews if I remain in control of the transcript.

[Allison]

Later this month, I will do my first in-person interview. I sent the author questions ahead of time so that we are both prepared. I will let you know how it goes. :-)

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Please do! I look forward to it!

 

KW

[Miss GOP]

I just posted my first author interview today! I'm starting a series of interviews and conducting them mostly through Facebook and email. I came up with a set of questions and sent them along with my query. After reading the responses, I can then send follow-up questions if they come up. I'm not sure it's the best way to go about it, but it's more realistic for me (and the authors) to do virtual interviews right now.

 

Best of luck to you!

-Miss GOP

www.thewritingapprentice.com

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

Congrats on your first one! I will definately check it out!

 

KW

[Michael Barclay]

Hi K (and E, if she’s reading in),

 

Good question. As a debut author (check for my review request in your inbox!) I’ve been thinking the same thing. And I think comfort level must play a big part. As a writer I’m concerned that I’ll stick my foot in my mouth too often during a live/phone interview. With email, like with writing, I can take my time and fret over the perfect reply.

 

I think (he says, being brand new to the biz) I’d rather do the 1st interview via email and if that went well do a live/phone for the second. That would also help keep interest in the book alive longer. Wouldn’t it?

 

Michael Barclay

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YDQORC

http://hill170.blogspot.com/

http://www.librarything.com/work/11393211

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11714222-hill-170

 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I will definately check our inbox. I have been behind and not getting back very quickly currently, but looking to resolve that soon!

 

That makes total sense that as an author you will have different comfort levels as well. It can be a completely different experience having someone record your live thoughts and not your written word.

 

KW

[Wendy Ewurum]

Hi there,

today I just did my first author interview and DA Atha from here at BB who was gracious enough to accept my invite. Please tell me what you think.http://fabulosityreads.blogspot.com/2011/06/dl-atha-on-luminary-wed...

[Joseph M. Rinaldo]

My preference is the email interview; mainly because it allows the interviewee time to think, formulate an answer, and speak carefully and clearly. For those of us who are a tiny bit uncomfortable "giving speeches", this is the ideal way to get our info out without the stage fright.

Joe Rinaldo

[Joe Perrone Jr.]

I like interviews by phone the best.  Are you hosting an Internet talk show or just posting the interviews on your site?  Either way, I'd be interested in being interviewed.

[Keith B. Darrell]

Hi KW,

 

Good luck with your first interview. Will you be the interviewer or the interviewee? I've been on both ends.

 

Interviewee - As an author, I do a lot of Q&A email interviews (btw, if anyone is interested, email me). I can't imagine doing a phone interview -- I find it hard enough to have a simple phone conversation between dropped calls, constant interruptions, and erratic schedules. I was recently interviewed in person, which had the advantage over e-mail interviews of the interviewer being able to ask follow-up questions in response to my answers. I haven't done any filmed (YouTube) interviews, but that can be attributed to my fear of the camera adding another 10 lbs. to me, lol.

 

Interviewer - In my younger days, as a reporter, I conducted hundreds of interviews. My advice would be to read up on the subject and tailor specific questions that are unique to the interviewee. Instead of "What is your book about?", impress the author by showing your familiarity with his or her work by asking questions about the book's theme or conflicts faced by protagonists and how they might relate to the real world. Also, eschew the ubiquitous questions the author has been asked ad nauseam (and probably has canned replies waiting for) and create an original one. I was asked a great "new" question the other day: "Would you want to hang out with your book's characters?"