Doing an Author Interview on ArtistFirst Radio

artistfirst radio networkOnce in a while, trolling on Facebook produces something positive. I was taking a break from writing and stumbled across a post from another author friend “advertising” a call for artists and authors to do a radio show. There was a contact email, so I decided what the heck; sales have been in the dumps lately, what could it hurt?

I emailed Doug Dahlgren, the host of the show, letting him know I was interested. He got right back to me, and then we had a wonderful, lively phone call in which he informed me that it was an HOUR long program! The show airs on Mondays at 7 p.m. EST, as Doug lives in Georgia. The entire show is done via phone/internet (podcast). Continue reading “Doing an Author Interview on ArtistFirst Radio”

Overcoming Radio Stage Fright

radio diarrheaBack when I was in journalism school, I was assigned to interview a professor I didn’t know for a story that would run on the campus radio station. On interview day, I yelled and hyperventilated all over my dorm room – to the point where my roommate said something to the effect of, “Gosh, Lynne, if this is so stressful for you, maybe you should change your major.” I calmed down, did the interview – the prof was perfectly nice and, in fact, probably had more radio experience than I did – and did not change my major. Then I went on to spend twenty years in the news business, and only occasionally suffered the sort of panic I’d had before that first interview.

Mumbledy years later, as an indie author and years after leaving the broadcast biz, I was asked to be a guest on a podcast. Just before the show started, I yelled and hyperventilated all over my apartment, scaring both my daughter and the cat. The show went fine, of course. In fact, I had such a good time that I’ve done a couple of other podcast “guest shots” since then.

It’s only now that I realize that both times, I was simply nervous. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Here are five ways to cope. Continue reading “Overcoming Radio Stage Fright”

How Not to Prepare for a Radio Interview

Ron Letterman of WGMD interviews K.S. Brooks
Ron Letterman of WGMD interviews K.S. Brooks

Two weeks ago, I was scheduled to do a live radio interview with the talented Mr. Cyrus Webb on Conversations Live! Radio. Cyrus and I had worked together about a year ago, and I knew him to be professional, enthusiastic, and passionate about books. I was looking forward to the interview despite the fact I dislike doing promotions.

Cyrus Webb does his homework. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do mine. I had planned on having all three Mr. Pish children’s books in front of me, as well as print drafts of the three currently in the works. I was going to have a list of all the states and provinces Mr. Pish has visited. The call would take place in a relaxed, quiet setting, on a fully charged phone, and I was going to be the consummate professional.

There’s one thing I forgot to keep in mind: This ain’t no perfect world. Continue reading “How Not to Prepare for a Radio Interview”