Ten Tips for Interviewing Authors

1. Do your research on the author.

Thoroughly explore their bio, website, and social media platforms. Understanding their background, work, and perspectives will not only help you ask more insightful questions but also enable you to make the conversation more engaging and relevant to their life and work.

2. Consider your audience’s perspective.

Think about how your audience might relate to the author. What questions might they be curious about? This helps ensure the interview stays relevant and resonates with the listeners or readers. Tailoring your questions to what your audience wants to know will create a more meaningful dialogue.

3. Email your questions ahead of time.

I always send my questions the morning of the interview. This gives the author a bit of time to prepare without overloading them with a rigid script. It helps them relax and provide more natural, unscripted responses while still feeling like they have some structure to guide them.

4. Allow for time to set up and get comfortable.

On a practical level, make sure there’s enough time for any technical setup, such as microphones or cameras, and to help the interviewee feel at ease. A few moments to settle in before you dive into questions can make a significant difference in the quality of the interview.

5. Approach the interview with a learner's mindset.

Adopt a humble, open attitude as you engage with the author. This will keep the atmosphere positive and collaborative, making the interview feel like a shared conversation rather than an interrogation. I’ve found that when you come across as a genuine learner, the conversation tends to flow more naturally.

6. Don’t shy away from asking personal questions.

While keeping it respectful, it’s okay to ask more personal or reflective questions. Authors are often willing to share their personal experiences, struggles, or motivations, and those insights can offer valuable depth to the interview. Just be sure to balance it with their professional work so the conversation remains focused.

7. Give them space to complete their thoughts.

Be patient and allow the interviewee to finish their responses before moving to the next question. Sometimes pausing for a moment gives them the chance to elaborate further or reflect more deeply. This ensures that you don’t interrupt their thought process and helps them feel heard.

8. Keep the conversation on track, but be flexible.

If the interview starts to veer off course or the interviewee begins to ramble, it’s okay to gently steer it back to the topic at hand. Feel free to politely redirect the conversation while maintaining a respectful tone. On the other hand, if something intriguing comes up unexpectedly, don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or dig deeper. Sometimes those off-script moments lead to the most interesting insights.

9. Be respectful of their time.

Be upfront about how long you expect the interview to last, and try to stick to that time frame. Respecting their schedule shows professionalism and appreciation for their time, which in turn fosters a positive relationship for future conversations.

10. Express gratitude and follow up.

After the interview, always take the time to thank the author for their time and insights. A brief follow-up email expressing appreciation can go a long way in building a positive relationship. If you plan to use their responses for a piece of writing, let them know when it will be published or shared. This shows respect for their contribution and keeps the door open for future conversations or collaborations. Publish your interview on social media and make it easy to share.