Radio Debut with Chat and Spin Radio

On Sunday 26th July I appeared on the radio for the very first time!

I had answered a Facebook post from Chat and Spin radio. They have a show where they play music and talk to authors about their books.

I really liked that concept, the idea of using that medium to help get books out there.

My slot was 9:55. I had been sent a few questions beforehand which was a relief.

I drafted some answers then went through them, reading out loud to my husband. I was trying to make it sound as though I wasn't reading, but it still did.

Eventually, he said "you know what the book is about. You've talked and written about it before, why don't you just talk about it?"

So I scrapped my paragraphs and made a few bullet points. There were some things I wanted to make sure I mentioned.

By 9:30 I was filled with apprehension. I had logged on to Skype ready and was waiting to be contacted.

I practised what I was going to say a few more times while I waited.

When the call came through I knew there was no going back. I answered with "hello" as bright and breezy as I could muster.

The DJ was lovely. He really put me at ease, he talked to me about what to expect and we chatted a little before we went on air. Then he put his headphones on and said "fifteen seconds".

Those fifteen seconds went by more slowly than I ever could have imagined. It felt as though the second hand of the clock was stuck.

Then he turned to face me on the screen and said: "on the line we have..."

"Hi, I'm Nicole Thorne from Merseyside in the UK"

I talked about Chasing Butterflies. I talked about Hope and how secretive she was about her past, about how having a miscarriage was a pivotal event that made her question the reality of her childhood. I talked about the dreams she had and how they caused her to realise that there was more to her truth than she knew. I explained that through a series of flashbacks, the reader gains an understanding of who Hope is and why she struggles to trust people.

There had been a second part to the first question. "Tell us about your book and what inspired you to write it"

Firstly I explained that I had always loved to write. I talked briefly about having a miscarriage myself. How writing about it helped me. I explained that I didn't want to write my story, so I spent a huge amount of time developing characters. That I tried to develop real characters. I tried to ensure that their reactions to various circumstances were realistic. I wanted characters that readers could empathise with.

I mentioned the prequel too. I said it was about Hope's mother and we get to understand her story.

The host then asked about me, this was entirely unexpected, but I told him I was a former teacher who had set up a little cafe a few years ago. I told him about my book exchange and the 'Donated by the Author' section.

At the end of the interview, we went off air and I was passed to another gentleman who invited me back in September! Oh wow! They congratulated me on a good interview which was really reassuring.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! In fact, I am doing in September! Watch this space!!

If you're a writer and you'd like a slot on chat and spin radio why not contact them?

Here is a link to the interview. My bit is towards the end, the last fifteen minutes of the night.

https://soundcloud.com/ian-johnson-75/sunday-26th-july-sunday-weekend-show-8pm-1016pm-uk-time?ref=whatsapp

If you're an author who is interested in taking part why not contact them, details below.

If you love reading books by new indie authors then it's a great way to find out what's out there. They transmit live via the internet. People listen to the show all over the world!

A message from Chat and Spin Radio:

Chat And Spin Radio are an Internet Radio Station based in the UK. We Broadcast to half a million UK & International Listeners per week 24/7. We are on www.chatandspinradio.com We are looking for Book Authors, Writers, Artists, Illustrators, Businesses & Charities to come on the Radio Station over the Phone or by Skype / Facebook FREE PUBLICITY PROMOTION to get out to our Listeners while on Lockdown. Please email IAN JOHNSON on chatandspin@gmail.com for more information.

IAN JOHNSON PUBLICITY / ADVERTISING MANAGER CHAT AND SPIN RADIO UK WEBSITE- www.chatandspinradio.com FACEBOOK- www.facebook.com/chatandspin