"Literary immortality comes at a price," Mr. Hodgman said. "Book promotion: the demeaning ritual known as the television appearance where the solitary genius is forced to hold conversations with the likes of—well, what's your title again, Jon? Master of ceremonies? Comedy barker? Oh yes, cable jester."

Mr. Hodgman's most practical advice comes down to this: Make an energetic entrance, and make sure to open with an anecdote.