I recently did Hugh Hewitt's live national radio show to
promote The Girl Who Cried Wolf and listening to it afterwards – the host
archives his shows – I realized, after thirteen book tours and a lot of radio
interviews, I had learned some things. I hope the following tips helps other
authors facing the microphone and praying that they don’t projectile vomit.
Live radio interviews are either conducted in a studio or
linked to your location by telephone. Either way they are terrifying the first
few times. Acknowledge that to yourself and move forward.
A studio interview will seem strange the first time you do
it. You’re in a glass booth, usually sitting across from the host. The two of
you will be wearing headphones and speaking into a large microphone, while the
engineer is watching things from another room through a pane of thick glass. Yes,
it’s artificial, but the more you can hone in on the host when you talk, the
better. You want to make things feel like a friendly conversation between the
two of you. Depending on the host, it may actually be a confrontational
conversation, but that’s okay too, as long as you keep things lively and don’t
freeze up. (I once went on a “Morning Zoo” type early morning show where the
merry band of pranksters made fart noises while they read excerpts from my book
that they considered “hot.” I played the part of the good sport, although I
wanted to strangle them… slowly.)
Location interviews are more relaxed. You’re in a
comfortable place at your home, just talking on the phone to hopefully millions
of people. Make sure you’re on a land line for the best reception and turn off
any “inaudible” air-conditioning or forced-air heating, which will be picked up
and make for a “hissy” broadcast. Your host will appreciate this, or, at least
the engineer will. (I learned this from an ex-CIA agent I interviewed once, who
complained about poor surveillance recordings)
Whether at home or in-studio, make notes to yourself. Short,
succinct notes on separate cards. You can’t believe the things you will blank
out on under pressure. I usually go with
the name of the host, my own name (really), the name of my book, and the plot
of the book in fifteen or twenty words. In big letters I write SLOW DOWN. Most of us talk faster when we’re nervous, so
a reminder to ease off will make things easier for listeners to understand and
keep you from running out of air. (My first interview I think the host was
worried he was going to have to perform CPR on me)
I also write a note that says HAVE FUN. This is the most important note of all.
Try not, and I know it’s hard, try not to not feel compelled
to insert the name of your book in every sentence. A good host will mention the title at the beginning and end of the segment and in my case at least, spell
your name for the audience. (“Just like Lou Ferrigno!”) Let the host do the
work. Otherwise you come off as sweaty and desperate.
Radio is a medium of superlatives because it makes the guest
more interesting to the listeners. If the host introduces you as “perhaps the
best crime fiction writer in the known and unknown universe,” don’t correct
them. You may think it makes you look humble, but it also makes the host look
bad. Don’t EVER make the host look bad. Chuckle and say thank you. Besides, who’s
better than you?
The host is always aware of the clock and so should you be.
When you hear background music getting louder FINISH YOUR POINT because the host
will be cutting to a break and if he has to interrupt you to do so, it will
feel awkward. You want to make the host’s job easy, just like the host wants to
make your job easy. See, you’re pals!
You have been given a gift, act accordingly. Airtime,
whether on a national radio show or a podcast beamed out of a garage, is a way
to connect with people who don’t know you, a party where for five or ten
minutes you’re the guest of honor. The host has many, MANY more people who want
to sit where you are sitting than you can imagine. So greet the host warmly,
thank him or her when your time is over and send an email to that effect
afterwards. They will have earned it.
