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Radio show links are at the bottom of the page.
Interview Tips for radio. Look, you are doing them a small favor by giving them a way to fill the airwaves. However, they are doing you a much greater favor by promoting you, and thus your book. Because of this you owe them a great deal of courtesy. This means making your end of the conversation go as smoothly as possible. Get into a quiet room. Turn off your cellphone and call waiting and anything else that might interrupt the quality of your call. If possible use a corded phone for better call quality. Also, spend a couple bucks for a twenty-five foot cord. As a rule we tend to sound more animated and entertaining while we are moving, so don't be afraid to pace around your office a little bit.
One thing you should keep in mind is that the radio host will rarely read your book. They are just too busy to do so. Because of this you will be answering questions that were previously provided to you, or ones that you provided to your host. If you have done your homework you will have the answers sitting in front of you so the interview will go easier. Remember not to read the answers verbatim. Try to sound natural, like you are having a general conversation with a friend. If you are asked a question you do not quite understand, don't be afraid to ask for a clarification. Remember that you are here to make yourself look good so act confident and prepared. In fact, be prepared. Practice answering the prepared questions ahead of time. and be sure to have the answers in front of you when you are being interviewed.
Don't forget the host. It's his show. You are the guest, so compliment him when he does or says something that is particularly good. Remember...yes remember his name...and use it. People like to know that you know who they are. Also it creates a more intimate atmosphere for the conversation.
Here is an important point. Sell yourself. Yes, you are there to sell your book, but the audience is going to base their initial opinion on your work by their initial opinion of you. Be entertaining. Use your voice to draw people in. Inflection, humor, and any other tool you may have in your arsenal.
When you set up your interview you will be told about how long it will last. Watch the time. When time is starting to grow short be sure to tell the audience where they can buy your book as well as any other pertenent information such as websites, how to contact you, and what you can provide for them.
After your interview is over, send a personal note to the host, thanking him/her for their time and consideration. Be sure to send a thank you to the producer too since they do much of the hard work behind the scenes.
Below you will find a number of links that will take you to radio shows that do author interviews. Please keep in mind that the Blog Talk Radio links may not be forever good. Blog Talk Radio shows are developed by many various people outside of their regular lives. It is quite likely that after a few months many of the shows are no longer produced. If you run across a show that is no longer in production please let me know. If you know of a radio outlet that I have not listed, I would like to know that too.
The Author Show does a daily author interview. They also have packages available to help you market your books. Don is a very smooth and personable interviewer who goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable.
I Just Finished...The Conversation of Books is a blog radio show with a separate website. They have a featured Author once a month and also have regular shows where they hold conversations with authors. They contacted me about being on their show within four days of when I wrote them.
Today's Author is a blog radio show that looks like it has been going on for a while. They contacted me within three days of writing to them.
The Beyond is a blog radio show that is also an interactive science fiction and fantasy community.
New Beginnings is a blog radio show that focuses on beginning anew. A possible site for new authors who are redeveloping themselves. When I wrote to them they replied within hours.
KimS is a blog radio show that does author and publishing interviews. When I wrote to her she replied within five hours.
"Conversations LIVE!" with C. A. Webb a blog talk radio show. I think the name pretty much says what it is about. They contacted me within a few days, asking that I contact them again when my publisher had a review copy ready to be sent.
Meet the Author is a blog talk author interview radio show presented by Dennis Griffin.
Chapters is another blog talk radio show that does author interviews.
This Week in Sci/Fi is a blog radio show presented by a couple guys calling themselves The Two Doctors. It mostly seems to be geared towards television and movies, but it might be worth a shot.
Compulsive Reader Talks blog talk radio focusing on interviews, book chat, readings, discussions, and more.
Geekerati is a blog talk radio show that focuses on the geek side of life. They talk about movies, video games, comic books, and um...novels. Do you see an opening here?
After Dark Radio is a blog talk radio show that covers strange news, conspiracies, and all things mysterious.
Library Love Fest is a blog talk radio show that has conversations with authors, editors, librarians, and other interesting personalities.
Top Shelf is a blog talk radio show that features interviews with today's top authors as well as interviews with new talent.
AAMBC is a blog talk radio show that is geared towards African Americans.
Authors Read where an author is invited to read thirteen minutes of their published work
Sound Authors Radio where they do three author interviews per show. They contacted me within hours of my writing to them.
Urban Literary Review features authors, editors, publishers, agents, ect.
3 Chicks on Lit a blog talk radio show where they review books and authors
Interview With the Mortal Vampire a blog talk show for authors, actors, directors, publishers, and about everybody else.
Talk To Me--Conversations of Creative Unconventional People a blog talk show that...well...features creative and unconventional people. They contacted me within a few days.
ASA Blog Talk blog talk radio...Authors supporting authors
Medallion Press Radio blog talk radio
Promo 101 a blog talk radio show that promotes creativity.
The Writers'Room Writers talking about writing, love, politics, ect.
Writers' Radio Show A radio show geared towards Christian writers.
Writers' Life Chats the name sort of says it all.
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