Michelle Styles:

As I have done a reasonable amount of radio and tv recently, I thought I would include a few things I have learnt along the way.

1.When doing any interview, find out the focus beforehand. Why have they invited on the show and what are you going to speaking about? What is the slant of the programme? More than likely unless you are very famous, it will not be about your book. There will be some other hook. Find out why they want you there. It may not be for the reason you think.

2. Write out a cheat sheet beforehand with answers to possible questions. This is one of the reasons why knowing the slant can help. One that seems to come up is: is romance still so popular? Are you a romantic at heart? How do you do your esearch?
You will have to answer each question in about 3 sentences at most. The length of the interview will vary, but really 3-7 minutes is about your lot.

3. Radio is all auditory. TV is visual. If they are doing a news piece on you for the local tv station, think about what will make a good shot. When you are on radio, it is all about your voice, no one can see that you are wearing dirty jeans. Save the magic knickers for the tv slots or photo shoots.

4. Put your smile into your voice. Pretend you are only speaking to one person and that person is highly interesting and interested in you. It will show in your voice. Do not think about the other people who may have tuned in. Be positive.

5. Write thank you notes. Either to the presenter or to the producer. Courtesy. Also remember to let your editor/PR person know what you are doing.

6. Remember to mention your book.

7. If practical, get a video or burn a cd of your radio appearance. You never know when other might want to listen. At the very least keep a list of your appearances, so if anyone ever asks have you done media, you can recite chapter and verse.

8. The media are always looking for stories. Write press releases. Think about hooks. Beyond having a new book out, why might local people be interested in hearing about you. You never know. My first radio appearance came about because I was giving a talk at a local library and the presenters were intrigued.

9. TV and radio starts local, like other PR. Then it goes regional and if you become v famous, even national. But really there has to be a reason.

I know I will have forgotten some, so if anyone has more, please add them to the list.

Phillipa Astley has a link to the Easter editoion of Open book on her blog and it should be required listening for all writers -- whether they are published or not. The programme deals with how editors, publishers and authors work together. In particular it gives an editorial view of revisions and why they happen. I can't imagine ever working like Rose Tremain who has her editor come and visit. They then go over the book page by page in the course of two days. And I did find it amusing when an editor described how she tried v hard to be diplomatic and postive. One of her authors was then asked how he felt when he got one of her letters -- bruised and battered came back the reply. The morale is: author's egos are fragile. And some times, it does not matter what is said, the author is not going to like it. Personally, I agreed with another author who said he would be upset if the publishing house simply took the novel without any revisons, because he knows how much stronger a professional eye can make the book. There is always something that can be revised.

The part on covers was very interesting as well. How a cover needs to create a mood. This is certainly true of Sold and Seduced and The Roman's Virgin Mistress. And the prototype of Taken by The Viking that I have seen. As Cheryl St John has already recieved her July cover and it is beautiful, I am hoping they will be putting the July covers up soon and then I can put the cover for TRVM up.

The programme is very much geared towards the literary end, but I know that much of what is said is true of HM&B. They do stick with authors. they want to grow authors.they believe in authors. They buy books because they like the authors. I loved how Orion stuck with Ian Rankin for seven years.

The programme takes about a half hour and I enjoyed it. I was also amused that they did not dare state the obvious -- the one publisher who REMAINS a brand -- Harlequin Mills and Boon. M&B readers still wait for the publication day of their favourite series. Something that Penguin readers gave up on awhile ago.