Are you ready for your close-up?

Nymtoc · Sep 9, 2007

This may be getting ahead of the game, but are you comfortable appearing on radio or TV, or would you be if the occasion arose? Turning up on the airwaves to talk about your book seems to be the norm these days. In fact it seems to be a virtual requirement if your book has any chance of getting hot--and if you manage to get a guest spot on a talk show, even on a 100-watt station in the boondocks .

I've heard that it doesn't hurt to take a few lessons for TV. People are taught what to wear, how to modulate their voices, how to avoid using use their hands too much, etc.

Of course for most of us this may be pie in the sky. I'm not sure that when (if) my book is published it's going to leap to the top of the New York Times list. But I am not looking forward to doing the radio-TV thing. It sounds like an exercise in high anxiety. Still, I would grit my teeth and do it if it helps push the book.

Wait a minute, my phone's ringing...I think it's Jon Stewart...

nancy sv · Sep 9, 2007

It's strange to think about that aspect of writing. For most of us, writing is a solitary thing that we do in the privacy of our own home - and that's how we like it. I'm not sure how I feel about trying to get he publicity... We are planning to take off in two years for an Alaska - Argentina bicycle trip and will need to get sponsorship for it. Which means, of course, we'll have to seek publicity. I guess I'm like you - if doing hte interviews and all that will help promote our trip/book, then I'll do it.

Stijn Hommes · Sep 9, 2007

The few times I've been on stage (Dutch equivalent of primary school and a workshop) I suffered from nerves. I doubt I would react any better with cameras present. I would love to try my hand at acting, but I think my nervous disposition means I don't handle myself well in the presence of cameras.

An experienced actor in the workshop asked me if I had experience, so I must've done something right...

JoNightshade · Sep 9, 2007

My ultimate author fantasy is getting interviewed on Charlie Rose. Soooo I guess I will have to be prepared for it.

But I will still probably throw up beforehand.

KTC · Sep 9, 2007

I've already done radio. Personal memoir pieces for the national station. It's fun. I don't know how I'd do talking about myself or being interviewed though...I'd probably come across as crazy. What I've done so far has been previously recorded and takes were allowed.

ishtar'sgate · Sep 9, 2007

I'm hyperventilating!! I'm hyperventilating!! Quick, get me a paper bag. I'm totally freaked out by such an idea. I know I'd blither or go completely mute. If the day ever comes, though, I'll handle it with aplomb and faint dead away just before my big entrance.
Linnea

Siddow · Sep 9, 2007

I'm in a Chicken Soup book, and they're big on promotion in local areas. I was offered the chance to be 1. interviewed by my local paper, and 2. interviewed on a regional television show.

I said, "FAT CHANCE of that happening!"

But now maybe if it was all MY book, and I was looking at royalties, I'd do it. I have fantasies of Jon Stewart inviting me on his show. I would totally do Jon Stewart.

triceretops · Sep 9, 2007

Appeared on national television twice, including the 6 O'clock news and some cable networks. Did about 40 radio shows. It was pure hell for me. You do get used to it. I had a PR gal from Disneyland help me through it all but it never got easier.

I wouldn't do it today. Lack the confidence to pull it off. You young pretty people out there--go for it. It's your E-ticket ride to fantasyland and you'll remember it fondly for the rest of your life.

Tri

Stijn Hommes · Sep 9, 2007

I did a radio interview once for something totally unrelated to writing and I'm sad to say I bumbled all over the place even though I was prepared and I had the answers in front of me. I guess it was the pressure; I was a last minute recruit because no one else had the time to handle the call...

Claudia Gray · Sep 9, 2007

TV would utterly freak me out. I'd do it if I had the chance, but I'd hate it.

Radio, however, would be awesome. I actually used to DJ back in high school and college, and I hosted a radio show for a few months about 6 years ago. So I guess I've had the chances to build up a comfort level there.

MelodyO · Sep 9, 2007

Oh, that would not be a good thing. At all. I could absolutely see a panic attack happening over that, which would be SO VERY FUN. I've thought about this a bit, and my Plan B is to do internet chats and be interviewed by email. I'm much better when I'm not face-to-face with anyone. If...uh...I ever get published. Details, details.

I have a friend who's a best-selling author, and she forgot she had a radio interview one morning. They phoned her to begin the live interview and woke her up. She had two minutes to pull herself together. This scenario = hell on earth for me. She, of course, was just fine. o_0

zahra · Sep 10, 2007

Meh - ex-actress - doddle. The only problem I'd have would be shutting up.

JimmyB27 · Sep 11, 2007

TV!

*Hides*

Lauri B · Sep 11, 2007

I've done a few talk shows (regional) and lots of radio interiews. They are fun--and after awhile you get a set spiel down since they all end up asking you the same questions, anyway. On my first tv appearance I made a major fashion faux pas: I wore a white shirt.The newscaster couldn't have been more than 5 feet tall, and I am about 5'9'' with some decent shoes on, so I looked like a giant disembodied head, floating a foot about the interviewer.

JamieFord · Sep 11, 2007

I don't know if I'm ready per se, but I'm not shy around cameras. Probably from my previous career as an ad agency creative director. And I still try and go to a local Open Mic night once a month to read a chapter or two of whatever I'm working on.

Speaking of...I just did a phone interview with a local daily, and some other writing website asked me to do a podcast interview. It's a start...

PeeDee · Sep 11, 2007

I've done some radio work. I did my first radio interview when I was.... *thinks* .... about eight or nine years old, as part of promotion for the local library volunteer program I worked in. What I learned then was when you're done, you don't quite remember what you said, and when you hear it back, you don't quite remember saying it like that.

I've never done TV, but I'm certainly game.

Kate Thornton · Sep 11, 2007

Siddow said:
I have fantasies of Jon Stewart inviting me on his show. I would totally do Jon Stewart.

Me too. I'd like to be on the show, too.

Anonymisty · Sep 11, 2007

JamieFord said:
I don't know if I'm ready per se, but I'm not shy around cameras.

Me either. I've been something of a ham since I was in my teens. Which is good, since I'm being interviewed by ETV in October for a writer's series they produce. They're coming to my house to film it, and I'm more worried about getting the house clean in time than the actual interview.

The only thing I can't bring myself to do is sing, alone, in front of people who aren't my family. My singing voice is relatively good, but when faced with spectators, my throat closes up and I can't make a sound.

melaniehoo · Sep 11, 2007

I, personally believe, that my experience, personally, has prepared me for the interview, or interviews, or what have you, that will come through the media to me, personally, such as, when I first, finish my book, the book, find an agent, and then finally, the educated people of the America decide to buy it. Thank you.

I am eons away from worrying about this, but my old office filmed a spot for our website & they said I appeared most natural on camera. Doesn't say much when I was compared to a bunch of other artists, but hey, it can't hurt. And we've all seen than lots of practise can still backfire!

C.bronco · Sep 11, 2007

Put me in coach! I'd do it in a heartbeat. I had a radio show in college (on a ten watt station LOL). I know at least four people who heard my show too! Some of them were in the room as it aired.

Sunnyside · Sep 11, 2007

I've done enough public speaking in my time that most of it doesn't intimidate me. Radio is easier because it's more intimate -- you're talking with one or two people in a room, so it's like talking with friends in private, so you tend to be more relaxed. (I only have to make an effort not to talk too fast!)

TV is a bit different -- you've got lots of people around and you're very aware of what's going on. I tend to do fine, but I HATE to watch myself later! Augh!!

josephwise · Sep 11, 2007

I wouldn't mind being interviewed publicly, but I'd like to think I have the will to refuse actually discussing my books.

I think it would be awesome to go on Oprah and say "I won't answer that. I'll let the book speak for itself. As for me, here are some pictures of my kids."

I'd also try to refuse book signings so that people won't connect the actual me with my published work. But there's a hefty chance I'll cave when the time comes.

RLB · Sep 11, 2007

Absolutely. Bring it on.

III · Sep 11, 2007

Considering the fact that I'll be old and infirm or long dead by the time the public catches on to how brilliant my work was, I'm not terribly worried about it right now. Plus I'll be thin by then.

Kate Thornton · Sep 11, 2007

III said:
Plus I'll be thin by then.

OMG - yes! Me too!

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