One qualification that reporters and writers look for when seeking out interview sources is book authorship. In fact, freelance writers frequently use Amazon as a search engine when they’re on the hunt for specific expertise (voice of experience here as someone who still writes for mainstream media outlets).
Need an expert on digital marketing? Reporters will generally turn to an online bookstore to see who has recently written a book on the latest techniques.
Need someone to predict whether return to office (RTO) mandates will continue into 2026? Journalists will look online to see if there is a recently published book on RTO trends.
That’s the typical thought process many writers, reporters, content creators, and editors have.
That’s also why publishing a book can make an author a media magnet. Rather than having to pursue media opportunities, authors frequently find that reporters reach out to them to request a comment or interview.
Books I’ve authored have led to being interviewed by Lester Holt on MSNBC, being featured in a front-page story in USA Weekend, and being interviewed on a number of podcasts and local TV shows. Producers and reporters reached out to me to request that I help them with their reports, which I was very happy to do.
As an author, you may receive similar emails and phone calls. That frequently depends on whether your book is timely, ties into a news event, trend, or seasonal story that someone has decided to report on.
Authors have a number of advantages that make them media magnets, including:
Instant Credibility
If you’ve invested months or years researching your topic, organizing your observations and insights, and then writing a 60,000 or 70,000-word manuscript, you’ve demonstrated you have expertise. The fact that a publisher agreed to produce and distribute your book confirms your credibility and authority.
The challenge reporters and journalists face today is distinguishing between actual experts and influencers. The two are not the same. You can be ubiquitous and not be a credible source.
An author has credibility and authority in their topic area, which is why media representatives working on a story feel confident that they’re going to get a useful response based on the author’s knowledge of the subject.
Proven Communication Ability
Another advantage authors bring to the table is the ability to distill broad concepts into pithy statements. Authors are typically very quotable. That makes the reporter’s job easier.
By packaging your expertise on a subject into a 250-page book, you’ve proven you are capable of explaining ideas and telling stories that many journalists are eager to hear.
You have also personally grappled with deadlines and understand the value of editing your work, which some writers need to do post-interview due to space constraints their magazine has given them. Most authors understand these challenges and don’t get upset when some quotes get cut or a story is condensed.
Availability and Accessibility
Many reporters have short deadlines, meaning little time to find and interview experts for their story before it’s due.
Some potential sources are notoriously difficult to get to commit to an interview, such as corporate executives and celebrities. They’re super busy to begin with and they have gatekeepers that block access. Just getting through to a personal assistant can take days.
Authors, on the other hand, are fairly easy to track down. They’re also often happy to discuss their book and the points they make within. Finally, they’re likely to have other media assets at the ready, such as a headshot and bio, which makes the journalist’s job so much easier.
In the choice between a big-name CEO and an easy-to-work-with author, the author frequently wins due to access.
Storytelling Skills
In addition to being more available, authors can also be more interesting to interview. Because they’ve studied their book’s topic at length, from all angles, they often have counterintuitive perspectives and unconventional takes on the subject.
That means they’re more quotable and their stories and examples will be attention-getting.
That’s what journalists want.
They want a source who is able to break down a large topic into digestible facts and figures, as well as to explain both sides of an issue with compelling examples and stories.
The key to becoming a media magnet is saying “yes” to every interview request you receive, as long as it’s relevant and will reflect positively on you and your book. Don’t turn down requests from smaller papers or websites because those stories may be your ticket to a larger story that a major media outlet picks up.
With every interview you give, the better your odds of receiving another request. Journalists share sources with their colleagues, and a good reputation goes a long way toward being recommended for other stories.
The more you embrace media opportunities, the stronger your media magnetism can grow.