Many people who love writing want to make a career out of it and become authors. However, it’s a job, and you should treat it as one. After you’ve signed a contract with a publishing company, you’ll publish your first book. Then all that’s left is for your book to gain ground in the market.
Most times, you’ll need to attend interviews to move your career to the next level. Interviews may also be a means for authors to show off their works and expand their market.
This post focuses on various questions that you can ask an author or that you should be ready to answer as an author during an interview.
Some Author Interview Questions
When you want to interview authors for your blog or podcast, you’ll need to prepare for the interview. It’ll require you to know the right set of questions to ask that will attract the right audience. These questions, when asked strategically, will make your interview lively.
Furthermore, such interview questions are not only useful for bloggers but also for authors. The authors who are the significant guests of the interview should also be prepared. It helps to avoid errors and to ensure that the interview goes smoothly.
Also, interview questions are helpful for authors who want to work at a publishing company or other related agencies. Some of these questions are listed below.
- When should someone be regarded as a writer?
- What differentiates an author from a writer?
- What’s your experience with writer’s block?
- How do you handle negative reviews on your book?
- What part of your writing process is the hardest?
- When did you start writing?
- What’s your advice for upcoming authors?
- Which elements of writing are the most important to you?
- How do you build up your characters and plot?
- Between your plot and your characters, which is essential to you? Why?
- Why did you become a writer?
- When did you become an author?
- Do social media play a role for you as an author?
- What’s your experience with publishing your book?
- What would you tell an author that wants to publish his first book?
- How many books have you written so far?
- What’s your favorite book among the ones you’ve written?
- Which of your books did you find very difficult to write?
- Which part of your book gave you the most challenging time?
- Which of your books did you have the most fun writing?
- Which characters do you relate with easily? Why?
- What did you leave out in the final draft of your book?
- What are you trying to achieve with your book?
- Do you go for book tours?
- What is the favorite place you conducted research?
- Can you share a bit about your next book?
- Has your book gone through any significant change since the first draft?
- To what extent is your book realistic?
- What inspires your cover designs?
- What beliefs is your book challenging?
- What was your inspiration for the idea?
- How long was your research for the book?
- How did professional editing influence the development of your book?
- Which scene was the most difficult? Why?
- Are there characters in your books that have similarities with you or people you know?
- What time did you finish writing this book?
- What inspired the title of your book?
- Is your main character someone you would get along with usually?
- Do you develop your characters as you write, or you already know them before you start writing?
- What helps you focus while writing?
- Which famous author is your best?
- How is your writing space?
- Have you ever traveled to gather more research for your book?
- What helps you relax while writing?
- What is your favorite way of taking a break after writing?
- What risks have you taken on your journey as an author? Did any of them pay off?
- Do you write with music? What’s your favorite one?
- Which actors do you think would play your characters if your book is made a movie?
- Have you written a favorite character that died at the end?
- What motivated you to become a writer?
- What’s the average time that you spend writing a book?
- Where do you get ideas for your books?
- When was your first book published?
- What surprised you the most while writing and publishing your books?
- Have all the books you’ve written been published?
- Is your family supportive of your writing? What do they think of it?
- What do you think will make a person a better writer?
- Do your readers contact you? What do they say?
- What book genre is your favorite? Why?
- If you have an opportunity to write a different genre of book, which will it be?
- What do you think makes a story spectacular?
- Can you share a bit of your current work?
- What’s the most interesting twist in your book?
- How do you schedule your time while writing?
- Did you consider using a pseudonym when you write?
- What time of the day do you write the most?
- What are the tools of an author?
- Do you find writing fascinating, exhaustive, or both?
- What is the best channel for marketing your books?
- How would you define success as an author?
- Are you a full-time writer? Why?
- How do you bring emotion into your scenes?
- What advice will you give an aspiring writer?
- What is your biggest challenge when marketing your book?
- Describe your ideal reader.
- Who is your most influential audience?
- Who are you when you’re not writing?
- What do you think should change or improve in the publishing industry?
- What type of publishing do you use the most? Why?
- What do you think can boost or destroy a writing career?
- Have you ever experienced reader’s block? How did you overcome it?
- Have you ever felt frustrated with writing? Why?
- Do you prefer to write what you feel readers want or what you find inspiring?
- Can a person who doesn’t feel emotions firmly stand a chance of being a good writer?
- Does building relationships with other authors improve your writing skills? How?
- What communities should a writer join?
- Do you have unfinished books? How many?
- Which books did you enjoy reading when growing up?
- Who is your biggest supporter?
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your work? Describe it.
- Do you prefer print books, audiobooks, or e-books? Why?
- Which of your hobbies do you think will surprise your readers?
- How do you determine the names of your characters?
- Do you recommend any writing blogs?
- What books do you reading now? Which authors are influencing your choice?
- What inspired the setting for your book?
- What inspiration makes you get out of bed every morning?
- Do you have any collections apart from your library?
- How do you brainstorm ideas during your writing process?
- What would you consider the best advice you’ve ever received?
- What does the title of your book mean?
- Are you currently working on any books?
- What is your favorite writing style?
- Do you prefer typing on a computer or writing with a pen? Why?
- Which do you prefer, writing when you’re alone or in public? Why?
- Do you write based on goals, or whenever you’re inspired?
- What takes most of your effort when writing?
- What will you like your readers to know?
- What’s your plan? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
- Have you ever considered writing with another author?
- What’s the hardest thing about writing a character of the opposite sex?
- How’s it like working with an agent? What’s your advice for those looking for one?
- Which marketing strategies have been helpful so far?
Tips To Prepare For Author Interviews
Expect questions:
Of course, you’re not going to an author interview to stare at the reporter. You’re going to answer questions. Also, it may last for fifteen minutes or more. So prepare for the questions. Writing down responses to the above questions will help.
Be mindful of the messages you’re passing:
Make sure that each of your answers is impactful. Also, it should pass the right message to your readers and be able to promote your book. Note that everything you say is recorded, so be mindful of your words.
Answer on point:
Let your answers be straight to the point. Since the questions are usually fast-paced, your answers should keep up and be straight to the point. Also, respond clearly and confidently.
Have fun:
Be yourself during an interview. It’ll make you accessible, and the reporter will enjoy the process too. If your interview is excellent, you’ll likely get more interview requests. Also, it’s an opportunity for your readers to know you more and see your personality.
Show appreciation:
Thank the reporter as a sign of your appreciation after the interview. Also, you can send a note to appreciate the reporters, producers, and editors. It can also help you to build a lasting relationship.
Conclusion
Now, you have the resources you need to prepare for your interview. So, never attend an author interview unprepared. It may be the next thing that advances your career, so treat it seriously.
Also, don’t panic. Just go through the questions, answer them well, and be ready for your interview.
