10 Good Questions To Ask An Author + My Honest Answers As A 6x Bestselling Author

by Bola SokunbiUpdated on March 18, 2026

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to become an author? Not the polished social media version. Not the highlight reel. But the real behind-the-scenes work of outlining, negotiating contracts, managing deadlines, and pushing through writer’s block when your brain feels empty.

Good Questions To Ask An Author


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I’ve written six bestselling books across personal finance, business, and personal development. I’ve worked with a traditional publisher, negotiated multiple contracts, and built a brand that supports my writing career. And over the years, I’ve been asked the same questions again and again.

So in this article, I’m sharing 10 really good questions to ask an author, plus my honest answers based on my personal experience.

By the way, if you’re curious about what actually goes into pitching a publisher, I walk through my full process in How I Write a Book Proposal (From Concept to Submission).

If you’re interviewing an author, attending a book event, or thinking about writing your own book, this will give you clarity on what the journey actually looks like.

Here are the books I’ve written so far:

Here are the full book titles:

Now let’s get into the questions.

1. How do you find time to write?

This is probably the number one question I get. The truth? I don’t “find” time. I schedule it.

When I’m actively writing a book, I block off at least one hour every single day. It’s on my calendar. It’s protected. And I treat it like a business commitment, not a hobby.

Some days I write two strong pages. Other days I stare at the screen and barely get through a paragraph. But I still show up.

Consistency matters more than inspiration. If I skip too many days, I lose momentum. And momentum is everything when you’re writing 60,000–80,000 words.

2. What is the best time of day for you to write?

For me, it’s early morning.

I typically write before the world wakes up. Before emails, meetings, or family responsibilities kick in.

There’s something powerful about writing when your mind is clear and uninterrupted. That quiet window helps me think deeply and stay focused.

That said, I’ve also written at midnight when inspiration hits. The key isn’t the time of day, it’s knowing when you do your best thinking.

3. How do you know what to write?

To lay out my first draft, I start with structure.

Every single book I’ve written begins with a detailed outline before I start my first draft. I map out the chapters. Then I break each chapter into bullet points. I know exactly what I’m covering before I write the first sentence.

I also work with a developmental editor after my initial drafts, separate from my publisher’s assigned editor. That outside perspective helps me maintain clarity, flow, and logical progression.

Writing without structure slows me down. Writing with structure accelerates everything.

4. How long does it take you to write a book?

On average, six months to a year.

Some manuscripts moved faster. Some took longer depending on research depth, life circumstances, and publisher timelines.

Deadlines help me. I work well with them. When I know a manuscript is due, I reverse-engineer the timeline and create weekly word targets.

Writing a book is not just creative work. It’s project management.

5. What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Writer’s block.

There are days when I feel completely uninspired. Days when I question whether what I’m writing is even good.

But I’ve learned this: writer’s block doesn’t disappear by waiting. It disappears by sitting down anyway.

Even if I only write rough sentences. Even if I delete half of it later. Showing up keeps the momentum alive.

6. Did you self-publish or go the traditional publishing route, and why?

I chose traditional publishing for all of my books.

Why?

Because I was building a brand. I wanted the distribution network, bookstore placement, media visibility, and long-term brand positioning that traditional publishing can offer.

With self-publishing, you retain more control and a higher percentage of profits but you also carry more upfront costs and marketing responsibility.

Traditional publishing meant I received advances and royalty-based compensation, while my publisher handled production and large-scale distribution.

Neither route is “better.” It depends on your goals.

If you want maximum control and higher per-book margins, self-publishing may make sense. If you want broader distribution and traditional credibility, traditional publishing may be the right path.

7. How did you get your book deal?

Interestingly, my first publisher approached me because of the traction I had built through Clever Girl Finance.

But here’s what most people don’t realize: even when a publisher reaches out, you still need a formal book proposal.

I had to write and submit a detailed proposal outlining:

For subsequent books, I pitched ideas directly to my publisher with structured proposals.

Publishing is a business. Publishers invest in market viability, not just passion.

8. How did you negotiate your book deals? Did you have a multi-book deal?

Each of my book contracts was negotiated separately.

I did not have one large multi-book contract. Instead, I negotiated each deal independently, leveraging the performance of prior books to strengthen my position.

The areas I focused on during negotiations included:

  • Book rights (domestic and international)
  • Royalty structure
  • Advance amount
  • Audiobook inclusion
  • Subsidiary rights

One important lesson: advances are nice upfront. But royalties build long-term income.

Think long-term when negotiating.

When it comes to audiobook, it important to understand what it entails. I share what recording seven audiobooks actually taught me in My Experience Recording My Audiobooks In A Professional Studio: 8 Key Lessons I Learned.

9. What advice would you give a first-time author?

First: get clear on your message.

What problem are you solving? Who is your reader? Why does this book need to exist?

Second: outline everything before you start writing.

Third: get feedback. Whether it’s a developmental editor, trusted peers, or beta readers, outside perspective strengthens your work.

Fourth: understand publishing options. Research both self-publishing and traditional publishing before deciding.

And finally: pace yourself.

Writing a book is a marathon. Not a sprint. The goal is progress, not perfection.

10. What other good questions should you ask an author?

If you’re interviewing someone, here are thoughtful questions that go deeper:

  • What surprised you most about the writing process?
  • What part of publishing did you underestimate?
  • What would you do differently with your first book?
  • How has writing changed your thinking?
  • What does success as an author mean to you?

These questions move beyond surface-level curiosity and create richer conversations.

Tips for interviewing an author

If you’re preparing for an author interview, here’s what I recommend:

Do your research

Read at least one of their books. Review prior interviews. Understand their body of work.

Nothing builds rapport faster than thoughtful preparation.

Ask intentional questions

Avoid generic questions that could apply to anyone. Tailor your questions to their specific work and journey.

Think about your audience

What would your readers want to know? Shape your questions around that perspective.

Be flexible

Some of the best insights come from follow-up questions. Stay present in the conversation.

What are 3 good questions to ask an author if you have limited time?

If you only have a few minutes, ask:

  1. What inspired you to write this book?
  2. What was the hardest part of the process?
  3. What advice would you give someone who wants to write?

These three questions reveal motivation, struggle, and wisdom quickly.

What questions do authors actually enjoy answering?

From my experience, authors love talking about:

  • Their writing process
  • Their inspiration
  • The deeper meaning behind their work

We spend months (sometimes years) building a manuscript. When someone asks thoughtful questions about the substance—not just sales numbers—it shows genuine interest.

How do you prepare for an author interview?

Preparation is everything.

Outline your questions. Keep them concise. Create space for storytelling. And always thank the author afterward.

Professionalism matters.

Final thoughts on asking authors great questions

If you’re serious about writing your own book, or simply curious about the process, learning from authors can shorten your learning curve dramatically.

The right questions reveal strategy, mindset, and lessons that aren’t visible from the outside.

Writing six books has taught me that authorship isn’t about talent alone. It’s discipline, structure, business awareness, and resilience.

If you’re thinking about becoming an author, don’t romanticize it.

Respect it.

And then commit to it.

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