Allison Kugel

Allison Kugel is one of my favorite people I have interviewed on the site. She has written a book called Journaling Fame: A Memoir of a Life Unhinged and on the Record. She aims to have it out in February and I asked her about the book and more.

1. Why did you write the book?

This book began as a diary during a tumultuous time in my life, when I had resigned from my position as Senior Editor of PR.com, I was going through a divorce, and experiencing a large amount of anxiety in my life. I began journaling about the anxiety and panic attacks I was experiencing since writing has always been my outlet. That journaling began to bleed into journaling about my experiences in interviewing so many famous people over a ten year period. Before I knew it, I could see the makings of a book. A hybrid of my personal experiences and challenges, and my professional experiences as an entertainment journalist.

2. How did work out the way the book was going to be structured?

Well the book kind of found its own way, because as I mention, it really started off as a journal, and very stream of consciousness. I took a look at the content and realized I had a great story to share, and so then I began to structure it into chapters. But the book still has this sort of non-linear structure that takes you into flashbacks, present day, and back again. It takes you on a journey that has both light and dark moments.

3. Were you happy how it all came out in the end?

Yes, very much so. I really hope that people will get a lot out of reading my story. I hope to inspire people with both my successes but also my failures and challenges. My story, like most people’s stories, is a dramedy.

4. Was it hard to get a publisher involved in the book?

At this point it is being self-published, but with an excellent production team whom I trust with their expertise. It could find its way to a traditional publisher, but I felt two things. Number one, I wanted to tell my story the way I want to tell it. Number two, I knew I had the capability of getting the word out about my book. So far I have gotten more press before it’s even come out than some people get with a traditional publisher once their book is released.

5. When do you plan to have the book out?

I am looking at February of 2017 right now.

6. Are you happy with the buzz you are getting with the pr for the book being released?

Very much so. I am so pleased with the early buzz for my book and I am even more excited to have some of these same journalists actually give it a read and review it once it is out.

7. What did you learn from the making of this book?

I’ve learned that everyone should engage in the exercise of sitting down in front of a computer and writing their memoir, whether it is for public consumption or just for yourself or your family. It is such an incredible exercise to embark on, and so therapeutic.

8. What do you think has been the major highlight of your career and your life in general?

The major highlight of my life is my son, and all that I am putting into raising him and shaping him into the man he will become, along with his father. The major highlight of my career is a tricky one, because I no longer believe in destinations. I only believe in the journey at this point. But really, it’s been all about people. I would probably say the 10 years I spent interviewing people as a journalist has been a highlight, because it was truly my honor to tell these people’s stories to my readers.

9. Do you have a favorite interview you have done or are their just too many?

I would say some of my favorites were Russell Simmons, Kristin Chenoweth, Mike Tyson, Jenna Jameson, Congressman Ron Paul, Chilli from the group TLC, Shannen Doherty, Kathy Hilton, Melissa Rivers, 50 Cent and Giuliana Rancic. These are really good people whose company I enjoyed whether the recorder was on or not.

10. Is it always wise to be prepared when interviewing a celebrity?

Oh, yes! It is a job and I took my job very seriously. I would spend a good 24 hours in deep preparation, learning about the person’s life and career. It was very important to me. I didn’t have someone else do the research for me and just hand me some notes. That’s ridiculous, and kind of disrespectful in my opinion.

11. Do you always have a backup plan if it doesn’t go the way you want it to?

N/A LOL

12. Why do you think so many people like to be controversial and try and ask questions about their private life especially when something has happened?

I think it comes down to a lack of creativity. In my interviews I always found it more beneficial to ask outside the box questions that other journalists would never think to ask. I found that I was able to get media coverage for my interviews and create great sound bites and quotes to promote without embarrassing anyone.

13. What next for yourself?

Continuing to grow my app, the Upitch App and perhaps there is another book