How can a freelance writer get interviews with small-time celebrities?

Question

Do they send a cover-letter to the agent, if applicable? Do they get charged for the time taken? What is the typical etiquette for seeking an interview? Should questions be ready? Any applicable information is appreciated.

Answer 1

Ideally, you'll be writing this for a publication (that pays!) so they should be handling getting you in touch with the celeb.

If not, you'll likely have to go through their agent or manager. You can find those people by signing up for Internet Movie Database's premium membership (www.imdb.com). Send them an email and let them know who you're writing for and what you're going to talk about. Keep it short and professional. Also, let them know where your other stories have appeared.

Don't show them your questions beforehand. You want to get genuine answers from your subjects and if they know the questions ahead of time, it gives them time to prepare "canned" responses.

If you don't have a publication willing to run your story, you're going to have a hard time of it. People's time is valuable, and they don't want to waste it talking with some freelance writer if there's not a final product at the end of it.