Scary: The First Press Interview on Hiroshima

[e.West]

Hi to all,

This week I have my very first press interview with my local Reno newspaper. I have just published on Kindle two techno-thriller HF novels, Rescue at Hiroshima and Escape from Hiroshima. Since the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing is this coming Friday, they want a bit a local color.

So, anybody have suggestions for a press interview? Do we discuss the reasons that Truman decided to drop the bomb versus waiting for the Russians to invade Japan or Halsey and LeMay to succeed with bombardment and blockade? Or do we discuss the hopeful HF aspects of the book, e.g. the rescue of 44 kids from a school 400 meters from Ground Zero? Or worse, discuss me?

Any thoughts appreciated.

--e.West

[LoveHistory]

I've never done one, but good luck.

[Matt Phillips]

As someone who worked on press relations in a former career, I'd recommend identifying in advance the top 3 things you would like this newspaper's readers to know about your novel and try to focus your responses on them. I'd imagine, since they have a local interest in you, they will ask a lot about how you came up with the idea, your background, etc. That's fine, but unless something in your background relates to the content of your novels, it's unlikely by itself to inspire someone to buy your novel. And that's what you want out of any interview - publicity that leads to sales.

Always try to steer the focus of the interview back to your novel's "hook." And I'd recommend not digressing too much into subject matter that relates to your novel's historical background but not your novel's content itself (especially for something as still-controversial as the use of the atomic bombs). So if your novel's plot deals directly with strategy, feel free to dive deep into Truman's and his generals' and admirals' decision making. But if it doesn't, answer the question asked as concisely as possible, but then (as artfully as possible) steer the focus back to what your novel is about.

[Miss Moppet]

If you haven't already done this, I'd suggest providing a press pack - a synopsis of the books, a bio of you and a list of suggested questions, which will make your interviewer's life easier and help you focus the interview. As a reader, I'd like to know more about your main character or characters - what's their background and what's at stake for them personally? I think readers also like to hear about an author's inspiration for a book - how you got interested in this period or a fascinating fact you discovered which you just had to write about.

Good luck!