Contact

In general, sending me an e-mail is a perfectly fine way to reach me (click here to send one). However, depending on the nature of your request, here are a few guidelines that may help you determine the most appropriate way to contact me.

PODCASTS

Podcasting is one of my favorite ways of discussing my work, and I can usually accommodate your request for an appearance. I’m on Mountain Time and tend to be better on weekends and on weekday evenings–but I’m happy to work with you to find a mutually acceptable time. I have good mics and headphones, so I can help ensure you get a quality recording, and I don’t even mind video–just let me know in advance, so I don’t sit down at the desk in my robe.

Click here to contact me about a podcast.

INTERVIEWS

I love talking about my subjects, and I’m almost always happy to make myself available for interviews. Please note, however, that I likely will not respond to written questionnaires, simply because those take up a lot of time and bandwidth. But not to worry: I’m more than happy to speak to you on the phone or on Zoom.

Also: if you’d like me for a television interview or a “talking head” appearance in a documentary, I’m happy to do that, too. I can probably accommodate you through local media affiliates — just give me at least an hour head’s up so I can get there!

To request an interview, click here.

CONFERENCE APPEARANCES

Are you putting together a panel for a conference, and need someone who can talk all about the craft of researching, writing, and publishing biography, history, and non-fiction?  I’m happy to serve. I’ve moderated and participated in panels for Biographers International Organization, the Miami Book Fair, and the James River Writers conference, to name just a few.

But hey! I’m also your All Things Muppets, Star Wars, Sleepy Hollow, and Dr. Seuss Guy, right? So if you’re putting together a conference where you need someone to discuss those topics, I’m delighted to do that, too. I’ve been pleased to participate in panel discussions at film and comic book conferences and conventions–I’ve done everything from governor’s conferences to ComiCons–and I’m happy to debate which is the greatest Muppet movie, which Dr. Seuss book is the funniest, and whether Greedo shot first.

If you’re interested, please e-mail me to let me know who you are, along with the date and location of your conference.

SPEAKING

Interested in having me speak at your conference, library, museum, book show, or any other event? I do that a lot, too.  I’m happy to discuss any of my subjects, and I generally arrive with a multi-media presentation, so you won’t just get someone standing at a podium (Unless you want that, in which case I can do that, too.)  I also talk a lot about writing, research, film, television, and general pop culture. I’ve spoken at venues, large and small, all across the country, and I’d love to come hang out with you. For engagements like this, I’ll refer you to the Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau, who’ll work with you to make all the necessary arrangements, as easily as possible.

Click here to contact me through the Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau.

BLURBING

I’m almost always happy to consider writing a blurb for your upcoming book–but please have the request come from your editor, agent, or publisher. Also, since it’s what I know best and where I feel I can be the most helpful, my policy is to blurb non-fiction only. I’m not the guy you want blurbing your novel or book of poetry or short stories, though I’m flattered you would even ask. Also, no memoirs, please. I’m just not the right reader for it.

Keep in mind there will likely be times when I don’t have the bandwidth to adequately read and blurb; other times, I might feel I’m not the right person to blurb a particular kind of book. I’ll let your editor/agent/publisher know if I can or can’t blurb–and if I don’t blurb your book, don’t take it personally; it was most likely just an issue of time.

STUDENT PROJECTS/BOOK REPORTS

Look, I get it—I was a student once, too. I know that doing research and writing papers takes a lot of time, and can be a bit of a drag. That said, I get lots of requests from students to help with their projects or reports on my subjects, and each one takes up a lot of time. So, rather than answering some of those appeals for help when I have the time, and disregarding others when I don’t, my policy is to not do any of them at all. But take heart: in my experience, the answers to the questions you’re asking can almost always be found in the books I’ve written on the subject you’re curious about.

A NOTE ON AUTOGRAPHS AND COLLECTIBLES

While I’ve dug around in an awful lot of archives, sorted through lots of materials, and read an awful lot of documents, I am not by any stretch an expert on autographs, collectibles, or other ephemera involving my subjects. For this reason, please don’t ask me to authenticate any autographs or other handwritten documents you may have, or assess the value of a collectible or some other item. I’m not comfortable doing so–especially if you’re looking to confirm the authenticity of an item for purchase or sale.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Interested in something else that you don’t see here? By all means, please contact my agent, Jonathan Lyons.

Click here to send Jonathan an e-mail.