Books, Arts & Manners: Interviewing Me

interviewer: What’s the secret of getting a good interview?

me: Write for a big-circulation magazine, what else? People or Playboy. Even St. Anthony of the desert would’ve granted People an interview. Under “Lifestyles” probably. For magazines the size of NR, you need a show-cause order or a small-caliber pistol. The celebs give you this big smile that says, “Call me anytime, I’m in the book.” Only you find out it isn’t a book you have. Listen, even my mother wanted up-front money and the film spin-off rights before she’d do a Gimlet Eye.

DK

About the Author

D. Keith Mano

D. Keith Mano was a TV screenwriter and author of ten books, including Take 5, recipient of the 1987 Literary Lion award, and columnist at National Review magazine for 17 years.

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interviewer: What’s the secret of getting a good interview?

me: Write for a big-circulation magazine, what else? People or Playboy. Even St. Anthony of the desert would’ve granted People an interview. Under “Lifestyles” probably. For magazines the size of NR, you need a show-cause order or a small-caliber pistol. The celebs give you this big smile that says, “Call me anytime, I’m in the book.” Only you find out it isn’t a book you have. Listen, even my mother wanted up-front money and the film spin-off rights before she’d do a Gimlet Eye.

DK

About the Author

D. Keith Mano

D. Keith Mano was a TV screenwriter and author of ten books, including Take 5, recipient of the 1987 Literary Lion award, and columnist at National Review magazine for 17 years.