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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 > 2008 > June > 14 > Entry
Duh Vick, Duh!
Sometimes things are so obvious that we fail to notice them, right? Let me give you an example. 15 years ago I was hosting a daily music show on WYSO. Music was my passion. I got lots of phone calls from listeners about the music I was playing on the program. That was fun.
I started getting calls from publishers asking me if I wanted to interview various authors on my program. My response was, hey, this is a music show - I play music. Why would I interview authors on my music show? Why, indeed? The calls just kept coming.
Then one day the light bulb went off in my head. I thought: why not? I love books. Why don’t I interview authors on the radio? So I did. Ten years later I had done over 1200 hour long interviews with authors. And I loved it.
Fast forward to today. I’m reviewing books for the Dayton Daily News. I love it! I get lots of calls from publishers who want me to check out various books, talk to authors, etc.
Among those calls are a few from publicists who want me to review DVD’s. I have been saying, hey, I’m a book reviewer. Why would I review DVD’s? Why, indeed.
The other day that slow working light bulb went off again in my head. I said to myself, hey, there are lots of DVD’s that are based on books. Duh! Sometimes it takes me a little while to get there. I like DVD’s!
My second grade teacher, Mrs. McIlhon had a nickname for me. She called me MOLASSES. She said that sometimes it really took me a long time to get to where I need to go but that I always got there in the end. When I was in the sixth grade she was on my paper route. Sometimes her paper was late but I never missed a delivery. I guess I’m still that way. Slow. Steady. Consistent. Sticky? No, she didn’t mean that.
I’m going to start doing some posts about DVD’s that I have seen. Watch this space for more….
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: from book to DVD
Comments
By victor mickunas
June 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
LMJ…I have spent the last 15 years interviewing creative people (over 1500 so far)..writing reviews (over 500 so far) and building relationships with people in publishing, music, etc. I enjoy this work and I’m sure that you will too. So, go for it! Follow your dream.By lmj
June 16, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
You know, Vick, you could franchise or share the wealth. I’m sure that I’m not alone in thinking I would love the chance to preview books, music and DVDs. I can even write! Just let me know when you want my help.By prose
June 14, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Great news about expanding your reviews to include DVDs Victor! Why not CDs too? When I first approached my current employer, also a radio station, it was to pitch them on a talk format show, hosted by me of course. My concept was to conduct interviews with everyone from local politicians to artists, activists, business people and do-good/do-badders du jour. I dreamed of including music and…did you guess it?..book reviews. Alas, was told they did not DO talk format (I knew that, duh, I was hoping to change their mind). Foolish me. Never bring up programming to a programming director a wise person once told me. They said when they went HD (plans included adding a couple of stations)they’d consider my show, but until then would I be interested in selling advertising? Good way to learn the business I thought, and took the job. Well, 2 years of HD later, still no talk formats or new stations. Just larger advertising sales quotas to meet. Time waits for no one. I believe your new expanded subject viewpoints will be well received. I’m anxiously awaiting your first plunge. Bon chance!