In this episode of The K.P. Wee Podcast, the tables are turned when Stan Markotich, former News Director at CJIV Radio, takes over the microphone to interview our host. Together, they explore all the various professional incarnations that have defined K.P.'s career: sports writer, educator and author of multiple works of sports and narrative fiction. There are lots of amazing anecdotes and stories to share along the way.
It's a conversation that runs the gamut from the early impulse (to help others) that drove and continues to drive K.P.'s career interests to managing interviews with irascible sports subjects to advice for young people who aspire to work in sports, most especially for those who are interested in becoming an author and building a body of work similar to K.P.'s own. Anyone can do it, the author and podcast host asserts, with dedication, patience, determination, preparation and – most of all – passion!
If you're a fan of this podcast's intro music, please follow Roger Chong: Twitter @chongroger and Instagram @chongroger
KEY TOPICS:
- (01:49): How K.P.'s core values drove his professional interests.
- (02:58): K.P.'s career as an educator included corporate and teacher training while at the same time his gift for writing started to emerge.
- (04:00): How K.P.'s first efforts as an author came to pass, starting out as a hobby and progressing from there.
- (04:17): About the first book K.P. authored, a biography of baseball player Tom Candiotti and other ideas that flowed from there.
- (06:15): How K.P. created a bridge from his work in commercial and educational contexts to becoming an accomplished author with a special focus on sports.
- (07:25): Although not himself a professional athlete, K.P. relies on facts, records and historical stats to establish credibility and a sound foundation for his books.
- (09:32): The types of interactions K.P. has had with the athletes he has profiled and how he prompts them to recollect and share their stories.
- (12:48): Various methods K.P. has used to contact prospective subjects:
- Via media relations representatives who can help secure interviews or permission to interact with players and other team members.
- Old-school letters to retirees and others without PR organizations.
- DM-ing on LinkedIn, Twitter or other social media platforms.
- (15:09): K.P. doesn't parlay his work in media relations for the Vancouver Canadians when he pitches prospective book subjects, instead sharing his resume and the track records of books he has previously authored.
- (17:05): Helpful insights that K.P. has adopted as a result of his work in media relations (for the Vancouver Candians) and how they are useful in communicating his professionalism and neutrality.
- (19:00): The publishing status update on K.P.'s book about Barry Bonds.
- (21:24): How K.P. has navigated awkward situations in which he's needed to approach a coach or player who might have had either a bad day or doesn't want to dredge up a particular memory.
- Gilbert Dionne on Marty McSorley's illegal stick in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals.
- Oilers Goalie Bill Ranford thoughts on Jimmy Carson's trade.
- One unnamed player lit into K.P. because he didn't like a particular (innocuous) question.
- (30:26): Does K.P. consider himself more of an oral historian or biographer?
- (32:45): A lot of the stories K.P. tells are written to inspire young people to be tenacious, resilient or just to dream big.
- (35:00): How K.P. got started writing about sports figures and what it takes to break into publishing and other sports-related careers:
- Passion is key.
- Think about purchasing some basic equipment.
- Do your research and get knowledgeable about various media (YouTube is a great resource).
- Plan to invest considerable time.
- Look up publishers who have issued the kinds of books you'd like to write, locate editors' contact information and send out a pitch. You've got nothing to lose.
- Learn about your prospective subjects and then reach out in a professional, serious manner.
- (39:40): Above all, people who aspire to a career in sports just need to get started.
KEY QUOTES:
- (02:34): "Different people communicate effectively in different ways. I was one of those communicators who did better as a writer."
- (02:54): "From a young age I knew that I wanted to help others and one way of doing that was to become a teacher or instructor."
- (06:37): "Sports fans often have their own opinions and think they're right."
- (08:12): "Even though I have not been an athlete or sports journalist … I am happy and proud that I've been able to do the research and deliver stories that are accurate to the fans."
- (10:21): "I'm not there to push the player to get that next touchdown or goal or drive in that next run. I'm there to get them to recollect that special game, that best moment on the playing field."
- (14:16): "Even though I'm not an athlete professionally or amateur-wise, I have worked for the Vancouver Canadians minor league baseball team … (but) I keep that separate from what I do with my writing."
- (18:15): "I'm not a fan who is there to get an autograph. I'm here to get your story and to portray you in a positive light, not to slam you."
- (28:10): "Sometimes you may ask a question that you think is fair game … and need to cut the interview short. You just find another way to tell the story."
- (29:40): "You can report the facts, but that doesn't give you the story." (Stan)
- (31:22): "Helping people is not just teaching them things but also writing stories that can inspire."
- (32:52): "A lot of these stories are fascinating because of the athletes or coaches themselves."
- (35:33): "You have to devote a lot of time to do a good job at (writing). You can't be half-way and expect to really do a great job."
- (36:00): "You do this kind of thing (writing books) because it's a passion … and understanding that, you just go out and do it!"
- (39:18): "Above all understand that rejection will come. You just have to be able to deal with (it)."
- (39:33): "Be persistent, but don't be a pest. Don't be annoying! If someone doesn't want to be interview you have to respect that."
About K.P. Wee:
K.P. Wee is the author of multiple books and a regular contributor to sports radio programs and websites. In addition to hosting The K.P. Wee Podcast, he also enjoys writing sports and psychological fiction with a twist of romance. He spent a decade working as a program developer and instructor for a private school before joining the Vancouver Canadians baseball club's media relations department.
You can find out more about books by K.P. Wee here.
Follow K.P. Wee:
K.P. @Twitter
Additional episodes of the K.P. Wee Podcast: https://kpwee.libsyn.com
