I loved reading your perspective on author interviews. I interview mainly emerging authors for a small women’s press (Yellow Arrow Publishing!) whose chapbooks we publish, and I’m always wondering how to make them more interesting. I ask about their life and work, but less about how they make time for their writing and the financials behind it, but could incorporate more of that in the future as you said that’s something you’re very interested in and I’m sure fellow writers would be too.
An interview I read recently that I enjoyed was an old Paris Review interview with Tobias Wolff. I’d be curious as to what you’d make of it. The interviewer is a bit too brief with his questions at points, but he does listen to Tobias and Tobias’ answers are interesting.
Excellent piece. I haven't read many author interviews, but I feel like your post synthesizes why I don't usually bother with them. I tend to find them boring or reductive, overly trying to tie the author's life to their work. It's a very interesting point that the issue may be on the side of the interviewer trying too hard to insert their own assumptions into the piece, and a successful recount of this would be pointing out whether or not they failed in that mission (self-awareness, as you say). I also really like your point of how what audiences are really wanting from these interviews is that engagement in a parasocial relationship - I've often wanted to grab a drink with my favorite writers and get to pick their brain.
I loved reading your perspective on author interviews. I interview mainly emerging authors for a small women’s press (Yellow Arrow Publishing!) whose chapbooks we publish, and I’m always wondering how to make them more interesting. I ask about their life and work, but less about how they make time for their writing and the financials behind it, but could incorporate more of that in the future as you said that’s something you’re very interested in and I’m sure fellow writers would be too.
An interview I read recently that I enjoyed was an old Paris Review interview with Tobias Wolff. I’d be curious as to what you’d make of it. The interviewer is a bit too brief with his questions at points, but he does listen to Tobias and Tobias’ answers are interesting.
Thanks for the thoughts! 😊
Excellent piece. I haven't read many author interviews, but I feel like your post synthesizes why I don't usually bother with them. I tend to find them boring or reductive, overly trying to tie the author's life to their work. It's a very interesting point that the issue may be on the side of the interviewer trying too hard to insert their own assumptions into the piece, and a successful recount of this would be pointing out whether or not they failed in that mission (self-awareness, as you say). I also really like your point of how what audiences are really wanting from these interviews is that engagement in a parasocial relationship - I've often wanted to grab a drink with my favorite writers and get to pick their brain.