the dick cavett test
Have you ever dreamed of writing a nonfiction book? Before diving in, take a moment to visualize the path clearly. Don't let a formless urge to "be published" quietly nag at the back of your mind.
Why? Recently, a prospective author reached out for help with his book proposal. Pretty quickly, it became clear that he hadn't given much thought to what the word "publish" actually means.
Publishing a book involves putting yourself out there in front of others. Books aren't read in a vacuum. Before they open a book, readers want to know who you are and what you're all about. Some would-be authors imagine handing their manuscript off to a publisher and heading back to their day job while their ideas magically spread. When I explain that publishing a book successfully requires engaging with an audience—through speeches, panels discussions, podcast interviews—they balk, losing interest entirely.
On the other hand, many would-be authors embrace the public aspect. They're eager to publish precisely because they want to share their thoughts and discoveries. They're eager to join—or even start—a conversation about something meaningful. Which camp do you fall into?
Between 1968 and 1995, Dick Cavett conducted intelligent and thoughtful interviews with experts, artists, actors, and other notables on The Dick Cavett Show. No bands, no comedy sketches, and no animal trainer. Just long, uninterrupted conversations. Across its various runs—from ABC daytime in the sixties to TCM in the 2000s—Cavett maintained a vibe that was quiet, smart, and serious.
For those of us raised on the frenetic pace of late-night TV—Carson, Letterman, Conan, Leno—Cavett's style can feel uncomfortably unhurried. His pauses made me antsy at first. Wasn't he worried about losing the audience? Typically, when a late-night guest takes more than two seconds to answer, the host gets panics and cracks a joke, or leans on the sidekick to jump in with repartee. Not Cavett. He let his guests take time to think and respond if they needed it.
Take a moment to enjoy some of Cavett's interview with film legend Orson Welles. Jump to 2:16:
Notice the difference between this conversation and what you've seen on almost any episode of The Tonight Show. Cavett and Welles are having a genuine, thoughtful discussion. Welles is quick on his feet, but even with guests who were less nimble, Cavett trusted his audience to pay attention and endure a little thoughtful silence. That trust paid off.
This approach was rare even in 1970. Today, podcast hosts—despite fewer time constraints—are often jumpier than their TV counterparts. Many interrupt their guests just as they're getting to the heart of a point. (Looking at you, Marc Maron.) Watching Cavett, with his patient, attentive style, is a balm.
Here's the litmus test for aspiring authors: Could you sit across from Dick Cavett, fielding his incisive questions for ten minutes in front of a live audience? If the idea excites you, you're ready to publish. If not, consider other ways to express yourself—writing can still play a role, just in a different form.
Books aren’t meant to decorate shelves. They're created to crystallize and share a person’s thoughts at a specific moment in time. Their purpose is to connect authors and readers—real people navigating the same era and grappling with similar questions about life. To make that connection, you'll need to step out into the world and speak up. After all, if you can't make the case for your book's relevance, who will?