The Art of the Author Interview: And Interviewing Creative People

by Sarah Anne Johnson

Sarah Anne Johnson’s interviews with authors have been praised for her “thoughtful and knowledgeable questions” (Bloomsbury Review) that “provoke thoughtful responses from her subjects” (Publishers Weekly) and provide “an opportunity to participate in intimate and often illuminating dialogue” (Library Journal). Johnson also travels to MFA programs across the country, teaching workshops in how to conduct an author interview. This book, based on that workshop, shows readers how to initiate, research, conduct, and publish interviews with authors and other creative people. Drawing on her own experience, Johnson not only covers the nuts and bolts of conducting the interviews, but she also offers an inspirational explanation of how the process can feed and enhance a writer’s own work and career. More and more MFA programs now recognize the need to equip their students with the tools for building a “writing life”; in this book, Johnson provides a practical, inspiring guide to one of the most popular forms of literary journalism. In addition, students of journalism and broadcasting, and even fans, will find its down-to-earth approach to authors and writing liberating. With examples, exercises, and step-by-step instructions, Johnson covers every step from preparation to publication. Widely praised for her own skillfully conducted interviews, Johnson is the perfect guide to this rewarding activity.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2005

About the author

Sarah is the author of The Lightkeeper's Wife, The Very Telling, The Art of the Author Interview, and Conversations with American Women Writers. Her interviews appear in The Writer's Chronicle, Glimmertrain Stories, Provincetown Arts, and The Writer where she is a contributing editor. Her fiction has appeared in Other Voices, and she is the recipient of residencies in fiction from Jentel Artists' Residency Program and Vermont Studio Center. She has taught the Art of the Author Interview Workshop at Bennington College Writing Seminars MFA Program, Leseley University MFA Program, and at literary conferences.

Reviews

[Brad Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to get an overview of all that goes into creating a good author interview. Though the book comes from the angle of doing interviews for print, the material would be helpful to those doing audio (radio) or video interviews as well. I am rereading the book for a second time and finding some helpful, practical tips on how to prepare and facilitate an excellent author interview.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great guide on how to ask delicate questions, questions you know have been asked a thousand times, etc. along with reasons why to ask certain things, the best way to frame them, how to make simple questions better, and on and on. Extensive examples are given. A must for people who plan to interview or are writing a scene that involves an interview.