One of my favourite things to do while I cook is listen to BBC Radio 4 online. It started out as a simple habit that zillions of people worldwide have – listening to The Archers. If you’re not familiar with The Archers, it’s the longest continuous running radio serial (if you call it a serial instead of a soap it sounds better) in history and it’s really cool. I think it took me about three months to figure out who everyone was (with help from their website). The show is only about 13 minutes long and I listen to it most days or play catch-up on the days I miss.

Anyway, right after The Archers is a show called Front Row. It’s an arts and entertainment interview and review type show. I have no idea what artsy things are going on in my own country, but I can tell you what’s playing in London’s West End and who’s starring in what. Or who is short listed for this or that museum prize, or what movie you should see (even though I haven’t seen a movie in years). But what I love most about Front Row is the author interviews.

FR is what you might call a “top of the heap” show. Very rarely do they interview emerging artists. Their focus is more on the seasoned, established, and successful. Because of their reputation, they get interviews with amazing writers, actors, artists, musicians, and even snag the occasional one with people who “don’t generally do interviews.”

I have put numerous books on hold at the library after hearing the author interviewed and that brings me to why I’m sharing this with you in the first place. I have been listening to people be interviewed for over a year now and here are a few things I’ve learned that I hope to use when/if I ever find myself being interviewed on the radio.

1. Answer the question – seems simple enough, but when we’re nervous, our instinct (okay, maybe only mine) is to try to be funny. The honest interviews are the best.

2. Try not to ramble. Your time on the air is short. Make the most of it.

3. Breathe – both before you answer, but also don’t forget to pause so the interviewer can chime in. The good ones won’t interrupt you unless they have to (i.e. you’re rambling), but they often can clarify your answers if you let them help you.

4. Have a short story to tell – one that doesn’t have to do with the book is often good.

5. Get your title into the conversation, no one can see your book on the interviewer’s desk (it drives me crazy when they don’t mention the title more than once).

6. Don’t interrupt. Just because you think you know what the interviewer is asking you, doesn’t mean you do.

There are plenty more things, and I bet some of you have tips, so leave them in the comments if you want. And thanks for listening reading!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams (through tomorrow) or to join me on The Postcard Swap – the response has been good, but there are still spots available!