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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2007 > March > 26 > Entry
things I learned in school today
It was a lovely, sunny afternoon in Yellow Springs. On the campus of Antioch College a small class was listening to a guest speaker. He was sharing some tips about interviewing techniques.
That guest speaker was me. I always loved school. It’s wonderful to revisit the atmosphere that so inspired me in my younger days.
Hairstyles and clothing styles change daily but kids are still kids. These young people were a receptive audience. They are taking a course where they are learning different techniques and theories of audio production.
They are in the phase of the course where they need to go out and conduct interviews. That’s a daunting prospect for some and I tried to give them encouragement and a little advice. Mostly, I told my war stories.
Naturally, I had to mention my infamous interview with the Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent. Ted was promoting his book “God, Guns, and Rock and Roll.” It was a crazy, confrontational conversation. Ted’s like that.
Then there was the interview with Donald Trump for his book “Trump: the Art of the Comeback.” I mentioned it to demonstrate the power of persistence. It took 30 phone calls before I was able to talk the Donald’s publicist into allowing an interview. I kept reminding her; “hey, he talks to Howard Stern.”
We went over some techniques. How to prepare. How to pose questions. How to listen. When to remain silent. How to develop a rapport with the interview subject.
I told the class how Ted Nugent’s people had called me the day after the interview to try to schedule a rematch. I declined. When Ted’s next book came out they tried to set up another interview.
I passed on it. I simply didn’t have the stomach for it. I can still remember the name of that book by Ted Nugent.The title was “Kill’em then Grill’em.” It was a cookbook.
It was fun to be back in school today. I did miss one thing, however. Nobody called me “bookworm.”
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: clearing the cobwebs
Comments
By Mark
March 27, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
Podcasts!By Scott Elliott
March 27, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Vick, you should do a compilation CD with the greatest hits of your radio interviews. I’d buy it. Just your off-hand mentions of Nudget and Trump had my laughing out loud.By Mark
March 27, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
OK, you’re a bookworm!