tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post312097305384196201..comments2024-03-28T06:16:39.508+00:00Comments on Help! I Need a Publisher!: DEALING WITH JOURNALISTSNicola Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-90271960623213395912009-09-26T11:53:44.878+01:002009-09-26T11:53:44.878+01:00Sally - I think you're right that some journ...Sally - I think you're right that some journalists might have used it (and the author probably should have checked that you weren't going to) but I think Keren's right too, that putting the notebook away should signify the end of "on the record".<br /><br />Christine, Rebecca, Lynn and others - many thanks for contributions.<br /><br />Anon (15:39) - some vg points. Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31707363785249141822009-09-26T11:48:26.090+01:002009-09-26T11:48:26.090+01:00Sally - I think once you've put the notebook ...Sally - I think once you've put the notebook away that signifies 'end of interview'. If you want to use comments made after that you have to ask if she is prepared to repeat it on the record. That's 'proper journalism' to me. Of course I am probably hopelessly old-fashioned about these things.Keren Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13121027210783177857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31219177240394856742009-09-25T08:48:44.395+01:002009-09-25T08:48:44.395+01:00I once interviewed a Well Known Author. I'd d...I once interviewed a Well Known Author. I'd done my homework, knew all her novels and had even read her latest. The interview was cordial and friendly--if a bit formal but I got some nice quotes. However, I wasn't sure I liked her very much. <br /><br />When I put away my notebook she relaxed and eventually we were chatting away and she came out with a delightful (not in any way Sally Zigmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520579251842006765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-60309595936669265922009-09-24T23:56:30.606+01:002009-09-24T23:56:30.606+01:00Hi Nicola
I love the serendipity of browsing for b...Hi Nicola<br />I love the serendipity of browsing for blogs - I've just landed on yours (via Notes from the Slush Pile) and have spent a happy half hour browsing your website and blog.<br />As for Journalists, I agree with what you say - I'm lucky enough to have had a novel published four years ago, and I was delighted with any publicity I could get. <br />The organisation which gave me Christine Colemanhttp://www.christinecoleman.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-53403385662823857072009-09-24T17:42:42.800+01:002009-09-24T17:42:42.800+01:00This discussion is fascinating! I'd never giv...This discussion is fascinating! I'd never given thought to this before, so on behalf of newbie writers everywhere, thank you everyone for chiming in and being honest and open :).<br /><br />We'll all probably go forth and give better interviews if we're prepared and ready to work with the journalist instead of fearing them.Rebecca Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214077952378770753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-88443189556974325482009-09-24T17:37:56.638+01:002009-09-24T17:37:56.638+01:00Well, soup on the cleavage when you're female ...Well, soup on the cleavage when you're female does not necessarily make you begin a three week juice fast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-57441822673817472442009-09-24T16:53:51.244+01:002009-09-24T16:53:51.244+01:00Just to clarify this off the record business and n...Just to clarify this off the record business and not wanting to worry anyone or put anyone off journalists because we are nice people really. <br /><br />Legally, if you want to say something off the record you should state 'off the record' BEFORE you say what it is you are saying off the record. Otherwise it's just down to the individual journalist's good nature.<br /><br />Of Flixton Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786998532681180809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-16109289530703061872009-09-24T16:13:59.631+01:002009-09-24T16:13:59.631+01:00I've never really been shafted by a journo, bu...I've never really been shafted by a journo, but I have winced at the way one or two of them have rephrased things - inadvertently making me seem stupid, naive or annoying in the way it reads!<br /><br />Oh, and there was the GOD-AWFUL photo the Sheffield Telegraph used, which makes me look fat and about 10 years older. Given the way these things work, it'll still be on file, ready to be Daniel Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07487799866651688342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-31624015332447581912009-09-24T15:39:23.058+01:002009-09-24T15:39:23.058+01:00Great post, Nicola. And yes, because I'm crap ...Great post, Nicola. And yes, because I'm crap at knowing what journalists and the rest of the world will do with my words, I'm being anonymous too. <br /><br />When I first started doing them, I found being interviewed extremely disconcerting, even though I've never had someone put the boot in in any serious way, nor often have an obvious agenda. But I wasn't used to giving my Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-61795405450721830282009-09-24T15:31:17.694+01:002009-09-24T15:31:17.694+01:00What a marvelous post. This is an issue no one rea...What a marvelous post. This is an issue no one really talks about, and authors really need to be prepared for an interview because they can be disastrous or marvelous.<br /><br />Morgan, you may go award yourself with some chocolate. The beagle is making up a batch of margaritas in your honor by wearing some dreadfully high heals and barking with an English accent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-75619425216033172052009-09-24T14:53:36.256+01:002009-09-24T14:53:36.256+01:00Some great advice in this post.
My own experience...Some great advice in this post.<br /><br />My own experience with the press has been mostly frustrating. When a journalist can't even get the name of my book right, what does that say about the rest of their article?Thomas Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987047131104943571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-33080160768969660302009-09-24T14:44:50.645+01:002009-09-24T14:44:50.645+01:00Ebony - don't apologise! It's very annoy...Ebony - don't apologise! It's very annoying when one's profession seems to be being attacked. Honestly, it's not (as I can see you understand). Good point about sub-editors too. I have also had crucial bits cut out of articles I've written, which have sometimes subtly distorted my intention. This is really really only about being forewarned. Thanks for giving the other side,Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-6912877914423765652009-09-24T14:36:55.482+01:002009-09-24T14:36:55.482+01:00Another journalist here..There's a big differe...Another journalist here..There's a big difference between a general feature about you and your book, which should be a reflection of who you are and what the book's about; and an interview which is part of a wider news story. In the latter case the journalist will be looking for people to argue one side or the other of a debate (for example, are children's books too violent etc) and Keren Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13121027210783177857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-36638547689995447022009-09-24T13:49:00.260+01:002009-09-24T13:49:00.260+01:00Having been on both sides of the table, all you sa...Having been on both sides of the table, all you say is so true. <br /><br />I, of course, was exceptionally kind as the interviewer and always searched for the kindest interpretation of the interviewee's admission that s/he had a drink/drug/sex problem.DOThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00719312854612984929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-51529743721982794042009-09-24T13:29:01.706+01:002009-09-24T13:29:01.706+01:00ebony, glad you mentioned subeditors.
one could ...ebony, glad you mentioned subeditors. <br /><br />one could craft a piece as carefully as one could and then release it to the sub's desk to find the very words you carefully edited out in the headline!<br /><br />i was once a sub too and there's a lot of power in the role!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-78380942761146693192009-09-24T12:31:49.204+01:002009-09-24T12:31:49.204+01:00I just want to mention that 'soup on cleavage....I just want to mention that 'soup on cleavage.' is even worse if you're male.<br /><br />ProeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-26186845459336207042009-09-24T12:31:46.828+01:002009-09-24T12:31:46.828+01:00Hi I just wanted to say thanks for posting. I real...Hi I just wanted to say thanks for posting. I really enjoyed reading and it was great to get an insight into how the process works. It's also interesting to read all the comments from other journos etc so thanks!<br /><br />Kate xKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05940810066436848209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-4354131852131436082009-09-24T12:18:55.492+01:002009-09-24T12:18:55.492+01:00Apologies to all readers for ranting. 'Off the...Apologies to all readers for ranting. 'Off the record' can be abused too easily. In the spirit of Nicola's advice, she meant it as a way of saying 'hang on, that's wrong, I'll correct that etc' rather than as an overused get out of jail free card.<br /><br />When I was a journo I deflated every time someone said 'that's off the record' during an interview, Ebony McKenna.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02724727996270658767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-60537438237416075072009-09-24T11:47:02.583+01:002009-09-24T11:47:02.583+01:00I've done occasional journalism work, but also...I've done occasional journalism work, but also was shafted - yes, I mean it - by a couple of journalists wishing to report on the story of my middle daughter's horrific birth.<br /><br />Experiences I wish never, ever to repeat.<br /><br />When I write a piece for a news website, I always run my final copy by the person I interviewed. Only once has one of them requested changes and in Catherine Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17540552933192453722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-41910600963866222322009-09-24T11:42:54.963+01:002009-09-24T11:42:54.963+01:00i think it's great advice, nicola. i have many...i think it's great advice, nicola. i have many regrets from my days as a journalist when i had assumed my subjects knew what being interviewed was all about only to be horrified by the result. <br /><br />most people don't realise what they are getting into.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-7323155454691580432009-09-24T11:41:08.682+01:002009-09-24T11:41:08.682+01:00Anonymous - absolutely no problem being anonymou...Anonymous - absolutely no problem being anonymous for that reason. I only have a problem when people use the word to hide behind being offensive or abnoxious. And you weren't, at all!<br /><br />And everyone, to be clear (though I think I have been very clear) - this post was not about having a go at journalists. It was simply about opening the eyes of inexperienced authors to how to Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-51517307788015499702009-09-24T11:26:46.364+01:002009-09-24T11:26:46.364+01:00This is an excellent post, Nicola, with some clear...This is an excellent post, Nicola, with some clear advice. <br /><br />I have been used by journalists in the past, and I am extremely wary of them now. I realise that they have a perspective too ('if you didn't want to put your head over the parapet, why did you write that book in the first place?' etc) and that some of them are even nice people, but publicity through the press Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-68221564414980240582009-09-24T11:24:19.916+01:002009-09-24T11:24:19.916+01:00Ah, some tetchiness going on here, despite the fac...Ah, some tetchiness going on here, despite the fact that I've been very clear that journalists are doing their job and have a particular task to do. The author's aim is to get free publicity; the journalist's aim is to get a story, fulfil a brief and meet a deadline. I simply want authors to understand that so that they go into it fully prepared and understanding what the journalist&#Nicola Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189894289540344094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-2041555868869666002009-09-24T11:20:55.286+01:002009-09-24T11:20:55.286+01:00i became a better journalist only when i started p...i became a better journalist only when i started pre-writing stories in my head. it all rings true, and the shafting part is a matter of perception. we don't set out to shaft anyone. <br /><br />but we do. <br /><br />and that's why i have shifted to fiction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488887316391780144.post-77916560234954829402009-09-24T11:04:13.420+01:002009-09-24T11:04:13.420+01:00Thank you for this post Nicola. Although I am a l...Thank you for this post Nicola. Although I am a long way from this stage myself I found it very useful, in addition to Flixton Mum's comments.Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15695613095959659034noreply@blogger.com