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In March & April the PPA was pleased to sponsor lunches with panels from top cable-based programs.
MARCH:
The Daily Show and The Colbert Report
Q: Do you compete with one another for guests?
| HK: |
No, they tend to seek out different types of guests, although there can be crossover. Daily Show goes first, and Colbert Report follows. Jon and Stephen have very different styles. |
| EL: |
Definitely work together, but they don’t talk on a weekly basis. They will do a book after The Daily Show, but only 4, 5, or 6 weeks after. |
Q: What types of books are you looking for?
| HK: |
Jon can be all over the place. They do a lot of political books, but right now they’re staying away from Iraq, just because they’ve done so much of it. They sometimes will do something more offbeat. |
| EL: |
They’re looking for something iconic. Someone with a provocative idea (ex: Caitlin Flanigan). They also like to have guests who have a particular body of knowledge – scientists, mathematicians, etc. Basically, they need something for Stephen to bounce off of. |
Q: Do the books need to have an element of humor to get attention?
| HK: |
They’re not looking for humor. Jon is the funny one on the show. |
| EL: |
They don’t want funny, but accessible, playful. Authors shouldn’t try to be funny. |
Q: What programs do you consider your competition? Are there any shows you won’t follow?
| EL: |
They don’t have rules about following. |
| HK: |
They’re not competitive with anyone. They’re used to having people do other shows first. |
Q: Do the hosts have a large say in which books are featured? What kinds of books are they drawn to?
| HK: |
Jon has complete say. She shows him everything before booking. It’s hard to say what he might be drawn to. |
| EL: |
She books on her own, then runs everything by Stephen to see if there’s anything he thinks he can’t work with. |
Q: Do you prefer to have tape sent of authors, or do you prefer links to streaming video on webpages?
| EL: |
The best possible way for her to know if she wants to book an author is for her to have a phone conversation with them. |
| HK: |
She doesn’t want tape, and she doesn’t do pre, pre-interviews. |
| EL: |
The author needs to be able to tell her the point of their book right up front. Narrative books don’t really work with their format. |
Q: What is your target audience? Do you get much feedback from viewers about the book segments?
| HK: |
Audience is 60/40, men to women. Average age is 38. Show is based on what Jon’s interest is. |
| EL: |
Same demographic as the Daily Show. Young men. Again, show is based on what Stephen’s interest is.
Don’t get a lot of feedback and don’t listen to it. They only go on Stephen’s judgement. |
| HK |
The author needs to be able to tell her the point of their book right up front. Narrative books don’t really work with their format. |
| HK: |
She doesn’t really pay attention to feedback. They don’t ever really see it, and they’re on to the next show so quickly, so it can’t really affect what they’re doing. |
Q: What is your favorite segment that involved an author?
| EL: |
She won’t name the author, but she can give an example of what not to do. Stephen gives several opportunities within the interview for the author to explain their p.o.v., their book, and the author needs to take it seriously. Don’t giggle and try to make jokes or play off of Stephen. Take the openings to get your point across. |
| HK: |
They had Ismael Beah recently. That was not something they would normally do, but it worked. |
Q: For your in-the-field segments, will you consider sending a reporter to interview an eccentric author?
| HK: |
Doesn’t deal with those. The field producers usually know who they are going to use. |
| EL: |
We don’t do that many field pieces. It’s not something you can really pitch her on. |
Q: Which book review coverage do you pay attention to?
| HK: |
Reads NYTBR, but doesn’t really use reviews. |
| EL: |
Probably pays attention to the same things you do. I read blogs, slate, op-eds. |
Q: If there is a book that you were on the fence about and/or turned down that is suddenly getting major media coverage, will that sway you to reconsider?
| EL: |
Yes, but if she passes, let it go. |
| HK: |
Does sometimes reconsider, but don’t send all the extra press a book has received. Usually if something is getting a lot of attention, she’s aware of it. |
Q: Is there a memorable pitch from a publicist that persuaded you to have an author on the show?
| EL: |
Doesn’t like long pitches. Keep the pitch to 6-8 lines, get to the point, and immediately tell why she should care. |
| HK: |
Same. |
Q: How far in advance are you booking these days?
| HK: |
Four weeks |
| EL: |
Same. They’re starting to have more first act guests but nothing you can pitch. It’s usually someone Stephen wants to have comment on something that’s in the news. |
Q: What influence does sweeps play in the types of books you cover during that time?
| HK: |
On cable, so don’t observe sweeps. |
Q: When do you go on hiatus?
| HK: |
Breaks are all the same. If you want a schedule, email her and she’ll give it to you. |
Q: Do you do audience giveaways?
| EL: |
No. |
| HK: |
Yes. Sometimes if it is something the publisher is interested in pursuing. |
Q: Do you attend BEA? Do you gauge which books are going to be “hot” by which galleys are available at the show?
| EL: |
No. |
| HK: |
No, don’t really find it helpful. |
Q: Do the hosts read the books?
| EL: |
She reads some. Stephen reads none. He’s just too busy and it fits into his persona for him not to have read it. The writers read a lot. |
| HK: |
Jon reads every book. He loves reading the books, and he reads fast. She skims them. |
Q: How closely do you stick to publication date?
| EL: |
They are used to waiting for the second wave of publicity. Usually, the author comes to New York first, goes on The Daily Show, goes off on the rest of their book tour, and they get them when they come back. |
| HK: |
Usually stick pretty close to the pub date. |
Q: How many authors do you have on a week?
| HK: |
Average 2 authors/week, although it varies. They have celebrities on, so they have to work around their promotion schedules. |
| EL: |
Has fewer celebrities, but still average about 2 authors/week. |
Q: How do you measure success?
| EL: |
There’s always another show to do. Can’t listen to the buzz. |
| HK: |
Don’t get a lot of feedback. Maybe the network does, but it doesn’t trickle down. |
Q: Will you do a book that’s new in paperback?
| HK: |
Will do paperbacks |
| EL: |
The paperback is another chance, so yes. |
Q: Are there any subject areas that you’re not interested in?
| EL: |
Don’t like gimmicky books. It can’t feel like a stunt. |
| HK: |
Psychology, advice, finance. |
APRIL:
Kari Pricher
CNN “Paula Zahn Now”
Paula Zahn is a news-driven show so the books they cover tend to be politically oriented. They rarely do anything involving self-help or health, but may do a segment tied to a charitable cause that Paula is involved with, i.e. breast cancer. Before booking a guest on the show, it’s very important for Kari to see previous interviews and she often checks YouTube or Google. The appearance of an author isn’t important to her—she cares more that they are well-spoken. Paula Zahn has a big say over the editorial content of the show. Kari keeps files on experts on hand. She likes a phone call if there is breaking news and you have an author that can speak to that topic. Although they would always like to be first, it’s not mandatory, but she will not cover an author who has done several shows on the network. Kari is also open to creative pitches during a slow news cycle. Lastly, if Kari says “no” to a pitch, don’t bother pitching to another producer—she’s the final word.
- Prefers to be contacted by email. You can follow up with a phone call. Don't fax pitches
- Wants to see catalogs and galleys as soon as possible. Finished books go to Paula.
- Wants to see non fiction, political, cultural, historical, health and self help style books
- Likes to book far in advance
- Rarely interview author solely on the book. Need a news hook that author can fit into.
- Other contacts for publishing at Paula Zahn Now is Abigail vacanti abigail.vacanti@turner.com
- Likes a good pitch letter
- Tape is important to them. Often they go to YouTube to check someone out
- They'd like to be first but will go after maybe one or two others
- Will send pitches to other producers at other shows
- When contacting her for breaking news, Email Photo, Bio and short paragraph about why this person is a good guest
- Wants controversy
- Let her know if author will appear with other experts
- She keeps an expert file: List many topics the guest can talk about
- Paula Zahn is very big with Breast Cancer Awareness
- They do monthly themes and anniversaries
- 2008: Very politically motivated, but will consider other stories
Gregg Cockrell
MSNBC “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”
Books and authors are a big part of the show. Gregg is open to creative pitches, especially during a slow news cycle. He also keeps a file of authors as potential guests. Keith Olbermann has a big hand in the editorial content of the show – Olbermann comes from a sports background and also has an interest in politics & history. Though it’s never too early to let him know about a book, and he likes looking at catalogs, Gregg prefers receiving finished books instead of galleys. They often hear about books that have a lot of “buzz” – word of mouth is important. Tape is not so important – the pre-interview usually works well enough. Though they always want to be first, it’s not mandatory – but they do want to be the first MSNBC program. They also produce packaged stories and share with other MSNBC programs.
- Countdown is top 5 stories of the day
- Wants Galley and Catalogs, they want to see all books
- Wants to be Emailed or Phoned and Afternoons are best
- Lead time: Does want to be considered for a first interview if possible
- Two booking Colleagues are: Katy Ramirez katy.ramirez@msnbc.com; Amy Shuster amy.shuster@msnbc.com
- Wants to be first on the network
- Will send pitches to other producers at the network when they cannot use the author/subject/guest
- He keeps an expert file so let him know in bullets what your author can definitely talk about
- Open to suggestions: Tell them what guest would be good with which host and why - they love that
- Keith Olberman personnally likes: Sports, Politics and History
- Tape is not important - He'd rather pre-interview the guest
- Anniversaries/monthly themes - tell them about things. They do lots of packaged segments
- Health considered when tied to news of the day
- 2008: we are not 100% politics so they will consider other subjects and guest ideas
Stephanie Kotuby
CNN “The Situation Room”
The 4 p.m. hour is 99% politics; 5pm hour focuses on the news of the day; 7pm hour is the best of hours 4 & 5. The best way to contact Stephanie about a breaking news story is via email – don’t send attachments because the clog up her inbox. She likes to see the author’s bio, the headline of a book, and what in the book will be breaking news. She keeps files for different subjects and will hang on to our emails if she thinks the author/subject might be a good fit for a future story. She generally doesn’t look at tape of an author – she trusts the publicists’ judgment on that. She is willing to sign a confidentiality agreement if necessary. Wolf Blitzer is very involved in the editorial content of the show. They will sometimes cover big, important anniversaries but they don’t do a lot of them, unless it ties in to the news of the day. Ideally they want to be first but willing to follow 1 or 2 shows, however, they don’t want to be the last show, especially within CNN. Sometimes they will do packaged stories – taped segments using their New York based correspondents – and will share these packages with other CNN shows.
- Email is the best way to contact her
- Has an 11am show conference call that lasts about 1/2 hour; definitely don't call during the show: 4-6 pm and 7-8pm
- Wants to see catalogs, email pitches with follow up call.
- Prefers finished books with a peg towards politics, seckurity, international issues in the news, books written by current or former world leaders, pliticians, celebrities
- Would like to know about a book as early as possible. So as soon as you know that a former president is writing a book, let me know so I can submit a request for interview
- Sending books to Wolf directly never hurts. He's very involved in the show production and booking guests. Often goes to the book store himself and pulls books he wants to have on the show
- Likes Bios with LOTS of info plus a good pitch letter
- They don't need an exclusive
- They do anniversary, but must be tied into the news of the day and you must point out why it should be considered
- Breaking news: email with photo, bio and short info
- Keeps expert files
- They do taped interviews. Tell her when author is in town
- Not interested in Health unless related to news of the day
- THE BEST PART: SHE THINKS PUBLICISTS ARE BRILLIANT
And she knows what she's talking about!
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LITERACY CAMPAIGN
Dear Friends:
I am writing to you about an important initiative started by author David Baldacci. David’s foundation, the Wish You Well Foundation, has partnered with America’s Second Harvest, which runs food banks throughout the country (feeding some 25 million people annually). The program they have developed is called Feeding Body & Mind. The mission of Feeding Body & Mind is to collect new and used books to be distributed to clients seeking food assistance at charities served by America’s Second Harvest. By providing books along side food, Feeding Body & Mind recognizes the direct and substantial link between nutrition and learning and hopes to end the cycle of physical and intellectual undernourishment.
There is an easy way you and your authors can help. Books (new and old) are collected at in-store author events. Once the box is filled, the local bookstore will ship the box directly to a local food bank. The process is amazingly simple (box delivered to store before an author event, with a mailing label, then the store calls Fed Ex for pick up. Period).
In just three months, at David Baldacci’s booskignings alone, Feeding Body & Mind collected and distributed more than 35,000 books to families across the nation. The need however, is much greater. Our plan is now to roll this out and broaden the effort. So I am reaching out to other publishers to see if we can get your authors who will be touring in the coming months on board.
I hope I have not made this sound complicated – it is amazingly not.
I will be in touch shortly to answer any questions you may have and to solicit your support. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me. You can also visit www.feedingbodyandmind.com for more information.
Best,
Emi Battaglia
Vice President, Associate Publisher
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group USA
SHRINKING BOOK COVERAGE
There has been a increased concern among us over the decisions by wore services and major daily newspapers curtailing – or completely doing away with – space that book publicists have traditionally relied on. Associated Press’s decision to cut Ron Berthel’s reviews; many daily newspapers (such as the Atlanta Journal Constitution) cutting back on pages devoted to book coverage; this appears to be a growing and alarming trend.
We encourage the membership to send letters on company letterhead to media outlets such as these, expressing your concern over, and disappointment in, this trend and their participation in it.
In Atlanta, in association with the National Book Critics Circle, an online petition urging the Atlanta Journal Constitution to reconsider their actions has been started. To add your voice to this cause, go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/atl2007/petition.html
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