Today Show Producer Gives Tips for Authors

By • Oct 20th, 2008 • Category: 26th Story, Book News and Publishing, Entertainment

tdylogovsmallJaclyn Levin, Senior Publishing Producer for NBC News, is responsible for all the books/authors on TODAY (both Weekday and Weekend) and Dateline. She’s been a television producer for almost 20 years. She took over the book beat at TODAY about 3 years ago.
1) What makes a great author appearance on the Today Show?
First and foremost, an author has to be comfortable talking on television. I tell people all the time, “you can have the best, most interesting book in the world, but if the author is not good on TV, it won’t help either of us…” Also, I try to encourage book publicists to think outside the box when pitching me…meaning, don’t just look at this as the chance for another “author interview on TODAY.” Rather, think about how we can enrich the segment with footage, pics, other voices….

2) If your publicist has said the Today Show passed, is there any way to turn that around?
Absolutely….sometimes timing is everything. I may have passed on a book months ago, but perhaps there has been a new development in the story, or something has happened in the news that it can be pegged to or a publicist was able to flesh out the story more for me beyond what was initially pitched…I’m open to repitches if they warrant it.

3) Is it possible for a self-published author to get on the Today show?
Absolutely…I have always said books are another vehicle for us to find great stories/segments, and if

one happens to come from someone who published on their own, that’s fine with me as long as all the

facts in the book check out. If an author has the wherewithal to find me and pitch me, good for them,

but at the same time, they have to be able to handle a “no” without having that buffer called “a

publicist.”

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  • http://www.JeffRivera.com Jeff Rivera

    Wow, that’s a great and specific interview! Thanks for that!

  • http://jeffrivera.typepad.com/jeff_rivera_writing_book_/2008/10/selling-your-bo.html Jeff Rivera Writing

    Selling Your Books: The Power of Giving Books Away

    The power of giving away copies of your book. Now, a lot of people when they first started writing a book, they really want to make as much money as possible because that’s one of their primary reasons that they’re

  • http://mortalghost.blogspot.com Lee

    Point no. 3: yeah, right … this I want to see!

    And in case you’re reading, Jaclyn, try my novel Mortal Ghost. But no, I would NEVER appear on your show. I’m a writer, not a performer.

  • http://www.myspace.com/ipendesigns Nanette M. Buchanan, Self Published Author

    I think the concept of the interview is great if the opportunity really exists. Most self published authors have the fear of camera, speaking and notoriety. If the story is fictional, as in the case of “Family Secrets, Lies and Alibi’s” my debut novel, but holds substance and a connection to the lives we live daily; then talking in front of an audience or camera is natural. But if the story is fantasy, unreal and one must have an imagination to put it into perspective as it relates to their lives, thus the difficulty. I would love the opportunity to discuss my work of fiction, pitch my story to you or submit material that does just that. A work that is fiction but has substance and a connection to everyday living is what holds an audience’s attention.

  • http://www.26thstory.com Debbie Stier

    I’m going to chime in here as a former publicity director, and just ad that fiction is very difficult to get on a morning tv show. I’d bet they do less than 10 novels a year……EVEN when there is a non-fiction hook. Trust me, I tried (and tried and tried!).

    There are other, more likely venues for fiction though.
    Debbie

  • http://www.smartdecorating.com Kimberly Causey

    The Today Show has been open to self-publishers for quite some time. My own self-published book, The Furniture Factory Outlet Guide, was featured on The Today Show in 2002. I would encourage any author to contact them, emphasizing the visual possibilities of your topic (B-roll ideas, etc.). Most TV shows prefer to avoid ‘talking head’ interviews.

    The Today Show interviewed me live via satellite from a deep discounter in North Carolina, with B-roll from a variety of other factory outlets. It all went very well.

    I would also suggest that new authors book as many interviews as they can in smaller markets before approaching national TV shows. It can take awhile to learn how to present your topic well on live TV. I’m glad I had several years of practice in local markets around the country before trying a national interview.

    Kimberly Causey, author and publisher
    The Furniture Factory Outlet Guide (2009 edition available January 2009)
    Home Decor Press
    http://www.smartdecorating.com

  • http://www.26thstory.com Debbie Stier

    Kimberly — Great advice. That’s been my experience too. — Debbie