JJET: How do You select people for my show?
DD : I ask for interested writers and interesting people to get in contact with me. We talk, if they are indeed interesting and agree to our procedure, I try to schedule them for a time.
 
JJET : Your goals as an interviewer?
DD: I try to learn as much as I can about the person, and their book, ahead of time. That makes them more comfortable and helps the listeners get to know them. If the listening readers like what they hear, they hopefully will look into getting that book.
 
JJET: Is it hard reading all the books and what do I look for in the books to get an understanding of the author?
 DD : It’s not hard, well you have great help. I do. I can not read a new book each week and I don’t claim to. I do ask the guest to send a copy several months early and my wife, I call her my producer of the show, reads every book ( cover to cover) and makes great notes. In the week run-up to that guest’s show, we talk, I go over her notes, and those I ask the guest to provide, and also read a few chapters to get a feel for their style of writing. I’m looking for what is important to the writer.
 
JJET : How can an author get on my program?
  DD : Send me an email to  [email protected] , tell me who you are and what your book is. I will get back to you.
 
JJET : When did you first develop the radio show?
  DD: Four and a half years ago, I was interviewed and then asked by the station if I would consider doing my own show. I called a few writer friends, asked if they would be comfortable with me interviewing them on the radio…everyone said “yes.” Here we are !
 
JJET : Any funny incidents?
  DD : Humor is in the eye of the beholder. I try not to trick anyone with embarrassing questions or “got-cha” stuff, so anything funny would be innocent funny. The show is about substance, or at least I try.
 
JJET: Any crazy incidents during “taping”?
  DD : The show is recorded while being broadcast “live,” so stuff happens. I’ve had guests calls dropped a couple of time in four and half years. I’ve been dropped twice….”yeah telephone company! “ but again, we’re looking for substance to help the author sell their book.
 
JJET: Who have been some of my guests?
  DD: We mainly have “authors you need to know” on, but now and then a big name comes along. Craig Johnson, of Longmire was a guest twice. Dr. William Rawlings has been on several times as has, Fran Stewart, and Jackie White. The guests are all listed on the webpage for the show in reverse order. The current page has about the last year and a half. If you’re interested in more, contact me and I’ll send the links.
 
JJET : Do you work on the radio show full-time?
  DD : It can feel like it. My schedule is a new show each Friday morning, “down time” Saturday and Sunday. I write on Mondays and Tuesday. Then Wednesday I start on that week’s program. With the new monthly show at the Georgia Center for the Book, that adds to the work load one week out of each month, if not more.
 
JJET : Is there a current Radio or TV interviewer who influenced my style of questioning?
  DD : Perhaps, but not that I am consciously aware of. I’ve developed, and changed, the format through the years, but basically it’s the same idea. Make the guest and their work as interesting as I can.
 
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