Hi There!

Thanks for expressing interest in my indie author interview series! Here's what you need to know:

My Readership

I feel it's important for you to first know who's reading these interviews, so you can determine if this is somewhere you'd like to be.

My readership is currently modest, and though quiet, they are an inspiring blend of readers, aspiring writers, and self-published authors and entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds and in a variety of countries. While most are avid speculative fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, and horror) readers, plenty read widely (including non-fiction). As well as finding my interviews via my site and social media, they also find it through my monthly-ish newsletter.

Who I Interview

I do not accept 'applications' to be interviewed, subtle or otherwise. It may sound harsh, but I only interview folks I want to interview so that this remains enjoyable for everyone.
I only interview independently-published authors – that means self-published, or through a small independent press – rather than traditionally-published authors. This is primarily because they are my peers and supporting them is important to me, but also because traditionally-published authors have a higher likelihood than we do of achieving any kind of publicity. It's nothing against trad authors, it's simply not what this site is about.
I only interview authors whose work I have read, at minimum, and ideally have enjoyed. I also prefer authors in my genre, or genre-adjacent, and with whom I have something of a rapport. Right now it's also biased toward novelists, especially those with less exposure.

How I Interview

I supply a list of several questions that the author can then choose from to answer, bearing the above balance in mind. At the moment, the process is all done via email; i.e., textually rather than a video or audio interview. Though this can mean a more rigid format, it helps me account for time differences, social anxiety, and allows time for thoughtful responses.
I try to strike a balance between the following: the author's work I personally read (usually the first in a series so that it's more accessible to my readership), their self-publishing experience, and their writing process.
While some of my questions may appear 'standard', such as "What inspired you to write X?", and there are several I always try to ask, I am also determined to ask unique and researched ones as well.
I aim to keep interviews spoiler-free.
Though I've read at least one book of the author I'm interviewing and in all likelihood have enjoyed said book, I do not reference my reviews or ratings. While I may express praise in my questions or in an encouraging blurb above their book's summary at the end of the interview...this is an interview, not a review blog.

Why I Interview

I am not a professional journalist or interviewer, yet my hope is fourfold:

To draw new readers to these authors in the short-term.
To offer an opportunity these authors wouldn't have otherwise had to talk about their book(s), their process, and their assessment of the publishing ecosystem at large.
To casually gather qualitative data on the self-publishing landscape, even as – and because – it rapidly changes before our eyes.
To create enlightening time-capsules for these authors and those interested in their work later, farther into their careers.

How You Can Be Interviewed

I wouldn't do this if I didn't enjoy it! I absolutely love gaining insight into authors' processes and helping give them more visibility in my small way, just as I love simply getting to know my peers. That being said, I am a passionate proponent of good manners and fairness:

First and foremost, do not 'cold-call' me, either via this site's contact form, email, or through social media. Nothing sparks my suspicion and/or scorn faster, and despite my belief in politeness, I am likely not to respond at all. Similarly, do not blindly send books or requests for reading.
I believe in reciprocation, but at a bare minimum, I would like to know who you are. You can start this process by engaging with me (if not my work) genuinely, either here on my site or on social media. That will increase the likelihood that I'll then read your book. (In other words, I'm like a cat – be nice, and let me come to you.)
Your odds are increased if you write fantasy, since this is the genre I'm reading most often lately, but I am not likely to be the ideal reader for romantasy, LitRPG, or cozy fantasy. I tend to prefer third-person narration as well and, being an editor, am immediately turned off by unpolished text.