What a Podcast Host Wishes you Knew, Part 2: Interview Etiquette
By G.P. Gottlieb
As host for a New Books Network channel, I receive an ongoing stream of pitches from authors, publishers, and publicists. I try to respond to all of them and sometimes agree to an interview, but my favorite way of finding new authors is from recommendations by those I’ve already interviewed.
Very few of the 275 authors I’ve spoken to for an NBN podcast have paid it forward by recommending another author. I still remember the names of the ones who have, and I have made sure to read more of their books. I’m thinking of asking anyone who pitches me to first suggest a new, well-written novel they loved (preferably by an author who deserves more attention). And if you can’t come up with a name before our interview, I’ll ask again after our podcast goes live but before I begin promoting it.
Let’s say you (or your publicist) succeed, and I invite you to do an interview. Hopefully you’ll be thrilled. We plan a date, I ask for a clean, non-watermarked e-book, a high-resolution JPEG of the book cover, and an updated bio with something about your passions, or what you do when you’re not reading or writing or working. Should you send the standard bio that’s on your website, the back cover, and every other place where you are mentioned?
DING, DING, DING if you answered, “NO.” Some authors don’t get it, and I need to ask gently pointed questions, like, Do you love animals? Do you have a hobby? Are you passionate about chocolate? Democracy? Affordable housing? I don’t personally need to know how you feel about healthcare or the environment, but people choose books for all kinds of reasons. (Someone I knew once bought a book because she and the author owned the same kind of dog!)
The date is approaching. I read your book, I take notes, and I spend at least an hour planning the interview. I also write up a paragraph description of the book and type out an intro and “outro” to record separately. Then, I send you a Zoom invite, and touch base to make sure the time still works for you.
The best guests know how to answer questions about their books, show their gratitude by following a host on his/her website or social media, and offer names of books they’ve loved. If you plan to be more like them, please note my complaints above. Or read these tips for making the experience LESS enjoyable for everyone:
1. I’ll let you know that I’ll be turning off my video, partly because it’s an audio podcast and partly because I live in an old building with spotty wi-fi. Also, you might be young and beautiful, but to paraphrase Nora Ephron, I hate my neck.
2. Before I hit record, I tell you I’ll begin by greeting you by name and ask you to respond to my greeting. Make sure to leave an uncomfortable pause before responding and then neglect to say my name. You’re the only important one in this scenario, right?
3. When I ask you a question about one aspect of the book, go into a long, detailed explanation about the entire story, as if you were lecturing an undergraduate class. When I try to interrupt, raise your voice and speak over me.
4. Even though I suggest that each answer lasts no longer than 3 minutes, assume that listeners want to hear everything you have to say about your book, and go into detail about your entire process and story.
5. When the podcast goes live the following week, after I’ve sent you a list of all the places it’s posted, tell me that you’re unhappy with how you answered, and either want some things edited out, or wish to make a new recording.
6. Assume, after the podcast is up and I’ve splashed it across the internet, I want to talk to you about all your books. And don’t follow or keep in touch except to email me notices about your publishing journey.
7. Never recommend other authors, like or comment on my NBN posts, or speak to me again. I’ve served my purpose for you, so why should you have anything else to do with me?
If you’ve ever done any of these things, you’re not alone, but now you know. In Part 3, I have more tips on how to be a good podcast guest.
If you missed it, be sure to read What a Podcast Host Wishes You Knew, Part 1.
G.P. Gottlieb is the author of Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery (Anamcara Press 2026), book #3 in her Chicago-based, culinary mystery series. Pounded, Book #4 will launch in October. She is on the Sisters in Crime Chicagoland board, a member of Blackbird Writers, and has interviewed over 275 authors as host for New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network.