public speaking – Almost An Author

Tips for the Spotlight Shy Author: Written INterviews

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge fan of the spotlight. I’m completely comfortable speaking in public as long as I’m the one asking questions, but I get a little nervous when the tables are turned. It’s probably no surprise to you that not all writers are comfortable with public appearances and interviews. After all, writers spend their days with keyboard or pen, choosing written words as a way to communicate.

Written interviews are a natural for authors, but still come with a few pitfalls. It’s wise to avoid the common mistakes and be a good interviewee. Interviewing for blog posts can feel more informal and may be a little less intimidating than other types of interviews. (I’ll talk about those other types in a different blog post.)

Bloggers may offer spots for interviews, book excerpts, guest posts, or book reviews. I’m focusing on interviews, but the same rules apply for these other types of written posts as well.

Where to Find Opportunities

Blogs and Online Avenues

Young Adult book blogs that post author interviews are easy to find by a search of wordpress or other blogging platforms, but the best bet are those with recent entries.

Once you’ve found a blog that fits, look for a FAQ page, a contact form, or an email. Some blogs will provide a link to a google form. If they do, make sure to fill it out completely and follow all the directions.

Authors can also find opportunities for mini reviews in other social media communities.

A note of caution: While there are legitimate marketing companies that use social media platforms, be cautious of those offering to do interviews or features in exchange for a fee. Research and do your due diligence before shelling out any cash.

Don’t be afraid to ask for spots or book blogs or on author blogs. Many are happy to have a guest!

Print Magazines and Newspapers

These are more “one and done”. You can find contact information in the byline of a particular columnist, or in the publication’s masthead. Make sure the contact information is up to date before emailing the columnist. Unless you know the person, I suggest sending a businesslike query at first contact, introducing yourself and explaining why they should feature you or your work.

After Getting the Interview or Post

Before responding with your answers, read over the directions and make sure you understand what the interviewer is requesting. Stick to the agreed-upon topic. Pay attention to due dates, word limits, and include any requested additional information such as excerpts, author photos, book cover images, book quotes, buy links, and social media links.

If you need to reschedule, notify the interviewer as soon as possible.

Make the Best Use of the Opportunity

Use all your writing skills to produce quality copy, answering the questions clearly while still staying within word limits. Try to let your own unique voice shine through. Remember, this is an opportunity to introduce yourself to future readers and fans! Once you’ve written out your responses, use a spellchecker, a grammar checker, and do a final proofread of your work before sending it off.

Understand that your responses or article may be edited or that there may be follow-up questions. Be sure to respond to any correspondence, taking note of deadlines. Keep in mind there may be a lead time, and exercise patience while waiting for your interview to be published.

If the interview is for a blogger—depending on the type of post—engaging commenters by replying to their comments can be a great way to make connections with new readers.

Let Your Fans Know

After the interview is published, you can get mileage out of the article by sharing a link on your social media. Another idea is to post a lead-in link on your blog or in your newsletter.

Are you an author of young adult fiction looking for an interview opportunity here at Almost an Author? Contact me at donnajostone@gmail.com

Have any tips to add? Leave a comment!

Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning multi-genre author. She writes contemporary young adult, historical fiction, and southern fiction. Many of her novels are about tough issues, but she always ends her stories on a note of hope. Finding the faith to carry on through hard battles in a common theme in Donna Jo’s books.

The first novel in Donna Jo’s young adult series, Promise Me Tomorrow, is scheduled for publication in 2025.

Her short romance, A Wedding to Remember, released Feb 1st, her adult 1960s inspy romance, JOANN: Apron Strings Books 5, released May 15^th, and her Small Town Christian Domestic Suspense with Romance, The Key Collector’s Promise, released September 6^th.

Stay in touch and receive the latest news by signing up for Donna Jo’s newsletter at donnajostone.com.

Pop go the Pop References!

I teach Public Speaking to college and high school students, and one thing we talk about is “Shared Meaning.” When you are trying to relate to an audience, you must strive for a mutual understanding of things you are talking about in your speech. Shared Meaning is just as important in writing as it is in speaking. I am currently learning and experiencing this issue with my much-younger students.

When I have a rather large class, as I do this semester, I play an icebreaker game, in which students must ask each other basic questions, like the following:

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

What’s your favorite time of the year?

What’s your favorite TV show?

That last question is the point where it has gotten dicey this semester. Students are encouraged to ask me these same questions, and one inquired about my favorite TV show. I don’t watch much current TV at all, so my answer is always the same: my all-time favorite is I Love Lucy.

DISCLAIMER: Even though I am much older than my students, I was NOT ALIVE during I Love Lucy’s initial run. I have always watched it in reruns, on tape, or on DVD (see, I am old, but not THAT old).

The student wrote my answer on his paper and then delivered the dagger to my heart with his reply: “Hmmm, never heard of that one!”

NEVER heard of that one? NEVER felt the joy of the Vitameatavegimin routine? NEVER bent over double from laughing at the candy factory episode? NEVER heard Lucy cry “WAHHHHH?” I.Can’t.Even.

I decided to poll my other classes, and, out of all of them, ONE student had heard of and watched I Love Lucy. I guess I need to reserve my place at the Old Folks Village ASAP. Maybe I can get a part in those “People Becoming Their Parents” insurance commercials.

I wanted to know something my students currently watch, and they mentioned the show Stranger Things. I know just a smidge about that show: it’s on Netflix, it’s about the ’80s, and it brought back the song “Running Up That Hill,” which I didn’t like in the ’80s and certainly don’t like now. Get off my lawn!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Please don’t suggest I watch Stranger Things. It’s not my cup of tea, I will never watch it, so maybe you can tell me your favorite I Love Lucy episode instead.

The lesson here? In speaking and in writing, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. In my day job, I work with mostly teenagers—I probably don’t need to make references to I Love Lucy, E.T., or Jessie’s Girl when I am speaking to them. If I’m writing a piece geared toward younger people, I need to find out what they relate to and address those things. What’s hip and “with it” right now?

Um, maybe I need to reword that last remark.

If I am addressing a “more mature” audience (of which I am a part), I can include references to the “oldies but goodies” of pop culture. They are my people and know who Jenny is and her phone number, who shot J.R., and who and what hit Marcia to make her say “Oh, my nose!”

If you don’t know those references, I am sorry. Really sorry. Grab your sippy cup and watch an episode of Bluey. Yes, miraculously, I have heard of that show.

Now, give me your pop culture references. Hit me with your best shot.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.