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Exploring authors online
Wouldn't it be nice to find out exactly what an author was thinking when writing a particular chapter or taking a specific point of view? The explosion of media on the Internet is making it easier and easier to do just that, through streaming video and audio interviews.
C-SPAN's BookTV provides free access to streaming video of author book talks, as well as a section called "In Depth," where authors explore their work more extensively. Book talks run about one hour, followed by a brief audience Q&A; in-depth interviews run three hours and discuss an author's major works, followed by a phone-in and email Q&A. You also can view topical debates like Dinesh D'Souza, author of "What's So Great About Christianity," and Christopher Hitchens, author of "God is Not Great," discussing the problems of Christianity. If you are looking for something older, check out Booknotes, the archive of C-SPAN's author-interviewing program that ran from 1989 to 2004.
NPR's Book Tour provides free access to audio podcasts of today's exciting, contemporary authors of both fiction and nonfiction. Averaging one hour in length, these tours include excerpts read by the author and a moderated interview. One can find an hour-long interview by acclaimed children's author and illustrator Eric Carle ("The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me") on the influence that some of history's greatest philosophers have had on his work.
PBS interviews authors on a number of its shows and on local PBS stations. Finding interviews in video or audio format is difficult, but it can be done through a search feature—just be sure to include "book" in the query. For example, a query for books that discuss technology and biology yields the program "Closer to Truth", where authors and scientists debate the implications of technological advances on humanity.
Book Wrap Central features author-interview video clips called bookwraps that let you see authors as they talk about their books and writing. There are a limited number of authors—approximately 100—but you do get free access to mini-interviews of some of today's hottest authors, like Steve Levitt, author of "Freakonomics," who is speaking on Wednesday as part of UB's Distinguished Speakers Series. Included on this Web site are a biography, list of works, a summary of the book, book reviews and an excerpt.
Reading Rockets is a resource for children's literature and reading literacy. Under the "Books & Authors" section, one can find streaming video of 47 renowned children's book authors and illustrators; including illustrator Henry Cole, who discusses the influences that his teaching background and childhood on a farm have had on his work.
Individual publishers are a final source to consider when looking for online author interviews. Places like Random House often have a "featured author" section that links to author interviews, both audio and video; a list of works; reviews of seminal works; and excerpts. Here, one can find authors like Paula Bernstein ("Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited") discussing the background for their work or the impact the work has had on their lives.
There are many other online resources not covered in this piece, like YouTube; Google video; Web sites for television networks, like ABC; and even a commercial product like iTunes. These Web sites serve merely as a starting point to locating streamed or downloadable audio or video of the author in his or her own words.
—Cynthia Tysick, Arts and Sciences Libraries