D. A. Ratliff: For the Want of a Crystal Ball

For the Want of a Crystal Ball

D. A. Ratliff

Images used are free-use images and do not require attribution. Image by GimpWorkshop from Pixabay.

Writing. Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it.

Ask anyone who has the urge—no, the need—to write, and they will tell you that once that creative need possesses you, you have to write. I feel a compulsion to write and immense satisfaction that regardless of whether anyone else reads my words, that I wrote them.

A while back, a fellow author asked me to write an article about my writing journey for her blog. Like all writers, I had the usual reasons—a love of reading and influences in the form of my father and my favorite elementary school teacher to spur me to write. But what keeps me writing?

As a fan of mystery novels and action thrillers, my reading, when I can find time for it, centers on works from authors like Michael Connelly, Clive Cussler, or John D. MacDonald. Throw in a good sci-fi or fantasy, and I am a happy reader. When the urge to write began to creep into my soul early in my life, I envisioned being a famous mystery author someday. Of course, I was twelve at the time, so I suppose that daydream wasn’t too embarrassing then. Now, that same desire to publish a mystery novel remains, but hopefully without the delusions of grandeur my twelve-year-old self expected.

I have the good fortune (or, on most days, good fortune) to be an administrator for a large writing group on Facebook. There are many reasons that it is an enjoyable opportunity. Engaging with members at all levels of writing is cathartic. Most writers can identify with the confusion and timidity of novice writers as we have all been there. The experienced and published authors offer guidance and encouragement to those of us who strive to publish our first novel.

All right… let’s get personal—my first novel.

That’s where a crystal ball to tell the future would come in handy.

When I first had the urge to write again after many years, and more importantly, the time, I decided to hone my rusty writing skills by writing fanfiction. While working, I wrote many personal and training manuals, newsletters, marketing material, advertising copy, and the like but zero fiction. As there is a distinct difference in writing fiction and non-fiction (although there is a movement toward creative non-fiction, which is another discussion entirely), I felt writing fanfiction about my favorite canceled science-fiction series would be just the exercise I needed.

I jumped in, and by the time I finished, I had written eighty stories (from short stories to novellas). I believed that by not needing to create the characters or world build, I could concentrate on story development. Once I felt confident in my storytelling ability, I began to create original characters to interact with the canon characters and soon moved on to world building. When I decided my skills were strong enough, I embarked on writing a science fiction/murder mystery/romance.

Okay, pretty ambitious combination of genres and only possible because Amazon/KDP provides a platform for mixed genres that traditional publishers and their narrow marketing programs don’t allow. I finished that novel, all 116,000 words of it. I haven’t published it.

Then I began writing a murder mystery with the main character a photographer. A cozy mystery of sorts with romance thrown in the mix. I finished it. I haven’t published it.

Next, another novel, another murder mystery/thriller with the main character a lawyer but the secondary character a police chief. I finished it. I haven’t published it.

And then—a detective murder mystery intended to be a series. I haven’t quite finished it, but… you get the picture.

So why haven’t I published?

Good question.

Why the heck haven’t I?

That’s where a crystal ball would have come in handy. Seeing what my future was going to be might have facilitated planning things a bit better.

I am not alone. Many of us have finished manuscripts we have yet to query to an agent or find a publisher or self-publish. There are some inherent issues with finding agents and traditional publishers, time being one of them. The process of querying an agent, securing one, and having them find a publisher is tedious and anything but fast. Going directly to a publisher is no guarantee that the process will be any faster.

The time and effort to publish the traditional route is a difficult one that requires patience. Besides, writing a query letter and a book synopsis is more challenging than writing a book. I have drafted a lot of query letters and hated each one of them.

That takes us to self-publishing. A more straightforward path but still wrought with problems. I don’t know about you, but I choose my writing to be grammatically and structurally correct. However, when publishing on one’s own, hiring a professional editor can be expensive but necessary. That issue alone can keep us from hiring an editor.

Don’t forget that pesky cover. What do all the “experts” tell us? The cover of our book needs to be catchy, tasteful, and reflect the book’s plot. Well, no pressure there.

This costs money. Money we may never recoup after publication. So what do those who decide I want to publish, and I want to publish now, do? We do the best we can. First, determine a budget and decide if you can live with the fact you may never realize enough royalties from your work to cover the cost of preparing the book for publication. If you can do that, then search for editors who offer a discount or charge little to start with, but don’t forget the adage that you get what you pay for, because it’s true.

Inexpensive book cover designers advertise on several websites, but please be wary of the “cover for Five dollars” mantra. Again, you get what you… well, you know, so always get references.

But that’s not the only reason that many of us drag our heels before we commit to publishing.

In my case, I am fortunate to have friends who deal with the English language and writing every day who are willing to read my work for grammar mistakes. I also embarked upon educating myself on writing cleaner with fewer grammar mistakes and writing proper structure. Do I use a grammar program? Yes, I do, and I realize grammar programs are not perfect, so I rely on the kindness of my friends to tell me to stop writing comma slices. I hear that a lot.

I am also lucky to have some skill with Photoshop and a decent eye, so I create my covers. I still have them critiqued but so far, so good. That saves me money, but the angst of doing a decent job on a cover is always present.

It would appear my procrastination at publishing is moot. Yet, I haven’t published.

What is my problem?

I think my problem is a lot like all authors who are on the verge of publishing. Life gets in the way. Or at least, we allow it to.

I finished the science-fiction novel just as a family issue arose, and I became a caregiver. Then one personal issue and another, and I’ll stop here. There isn’t anyone who cannot identify with this scenario. I like to tell myself that the time I spend dealing with the large writing group, which takes a great deal of my time, is another reason. After all, we have published five anthologies, and the sixth one is going to press. That takes time.

Okay… that’s an excuse.

And now I have run out of them.

It is time to do this. I have always been a proactive person in most situations but a tad lax when it comes to my own needs.

Please don’t do what I have done. Remember, your needs are essential, and for whatever reason you wish to publish, for money, for possible fame, or the satisfaction of accomplishing your goal, just do it. There is a reader out there who will enjoy your story.

Me? I gazed into that crystal ball. I see a published book with my name on it soon.

D. A. Ratliff

Deborah Ratliff is a Southerner with saltwater in her veins and a love of writing. A career in science and human resources provided the opportunity to write policies/procedures and training manuals, articles, and newsletters, but her lifelong love of mystery novels beckoned. Deborah began writing mysteries and her first novel, Crescent City Lies, will be published in 2021 with a second novel, One of Those Days, to follow. Deborah regularly contributes articles on writing to the blog, Writers Unite! and serves as an administrator on the Facebook writing site, Writers Unite! which has 78,000+ members from around the globe.

www.thecoastalquill.wordpress.com
www.writersuniteweb.wordpress.comwww.facebook.com/groups/145324212487752

D. A. Ratliff: “Me? Do an Interview? On the Radio?”

“Me? Do an Interview? On the Radio?”

D. A. Ratliff

Writing is a solitary endeavor when putting words on paper or a computer screen. However, authors can rarely accomplish the marketing of said writing alone.

The myriad of marketing opportunities can be confusing and, for authors, finding the right platform for promoting a book offers a variety of choices. One thing to remember is that reading is a private experience. The reader and words are all that is necessary. However, communication of a book’s content and its appeal to a reader is essential to getting a book into a reader’s hands.

The writing gurus (there are many) encourage authors to write pithy cover blurbs and create an attractive cover design to attract readers. The problem is that there are only a finite number of customers in brick-and-mortar bookstores or pursuing online booksellers, at any one given time. How does a writer expand the potential audience for their books? While there are several outlets, one of the most effective remains the radio interview.

In this day of digital media, how popular is radio? Radio.co states, “Across all demographics, Nielsen demonstrates that radio is still the most popular form of media in America. Radio reaches 90% of adults aged 18-34, 94% aged 35-49 and 91% aged 50 and older.” The article also states that ‘Nielsen’s data shows that 69% of weekly radio consumption is done outside of the home, primarily in cars and at work. The statistics suggest that radio remains a viable outlet for promotion and one an author should pursue.

Now that you, the author, have decided to do a radio interview, how do you go about finding a radio program to interview you?

First, look at your local radio stations and their local interest or talk show programs. An email to the station, or the show host or producer, can open the door for you. Numerous shows on terrestrial radio across the United States offer author interviews with some shows dedicated to authors. There are also lists that you can subscribe to that are available to radio stations when searching for interview subjects.

Digital radio (a.k.a. internet radio) is the fastest-growing arena that offers authors excellent opportunities to reach a broader audience. With internet access available on smartphones and in most cars, internet radio is accessible to listeners on the go. For internet radio stations, search engines can provide lists of stations and their content focus, and many may have a variety of programs that can accommodate your marketing needs.

A word of caution when selecting a program to contact regarding an interview, the majority of radio programs offer podcasts of their shows, and you should listen to interviews from any host/program that you are interested in appearing on to promote your book. You are a professional, an author, and should present yourself as such. Look for a professional radio station and host as the host’s skill is imperative to how well your book and you, the author, are presented.

There are several things to look for when selecting a host/interviewer to contact.

• Preparation—does the host seem familiar with the author’s work?

• Does the host ask interesting and diverse questions?

• Is the host respectful, providing the guest time to answer and not talk over the guest?

• Does the interview sound conversational and not merely a series of canned questions?

• Is adequate time given to cover what you would want to say about your book?

These are critical issues. As a listener, I have heard many interviews with ill-prepared hosts/interviewers. Seasoned authors, some best-selling authors, have come across as unprofessional when in the hands of an unskilled interviewer. Your reputation as a writer is at stake. Do not put yourself in the hands of an interviewer who does not treat the interview professionally.

Once you have selected the programs which you wish to appear on, the next step is to contact them. While writing a press release is nice, it is not always necessary, as an email will suffice. Many stations will include contact forms or instructions on how to contact them for an interview. Allow adequate time for the station representative to reply.

If you contact a station via email, you should provide your full name, preferred contact information, and a short synopsis of your book, including the publication date. Also, indicate why you feel your book would be compelling as a subject for the show. You may be a first-time author or a best-selling author, but always include links to your online presence. Do your due diligence regarding the station and listen to the host’s interviews. Tell the host why you are impressed with the interviews and why you would like to appear on their show.

When you receive a response and the host has invited you to appear, you must follow the directions given. You are a commodity. You are offering your book to the station’s listeners, hoping they will be interested enough to purchase your book. The station/host/ interviewer is providing you the conduit to accomplish that goal. You have a responsibility to the station to do as they request.

Before the interview:

• Confirm that you have received their instructions and that you understand them.

• If they request that you use a landline and you do not have one, make sure they know you will be using a mobile phone. If service is not stellar in your location, travel to an area where service is good.

• Provide all materials that the station requests. It is not always necessary to send a copy of your book. Hosts may not have time to read all books submitted but provide the links, author bio, or other information requested.

• Please do not ask your host for a list of questions they expect to ask you. In addition to being rude, what could a host possibly ask you about your book that you can’t answer? If you are concerned about the questions, listen to interviews, or search online for lists of authors’ questions in interviews.

• Be prepared. One of the first questions a host might ask is, “What is your book about?” Can you answer that succinctly? If not, look up how to write an elevator pitch and work on it.

• Promote your appearance! You are marketing your book, so market it. Talk about being on the station and provide links on all of your social media sites. Why would you interview if you are not going to promote it? The host and station expect you to advertise your interview in exchange for providing you with the platform to sell your book. If you do not promote it, the likelihood of returning for a second interview on that station is slim.

• Should you have to cancel and, remember, you have an obligation to be available at the agreed-upon time, please provide adequate time for the station to replace you and have a valid reason. The interview will likely take less than an hour. There are only a few reasons that you should not be able to meet your obligation. If you have a serious family or medical emergency, please contact the host as soon as you can to inform them.

During the interview:

• If you are interviewing at the station’s studio, be early or be available to answer the phone when the host or show producer calls or call into the station at the assigned time if instructed. You MUST be on time. Time is valuable on a live radio broadcast.

• Depending on whether you are in-studio or on the phone, watching or listening for cues is essential. The host/producer will instruct you on how the interview will proceed and how much time you have. If live, the time allotted is finite. There is some leeway in a recorded interview but, remember, time is important, and your host’s time is as valuable as yours. That you are prepared and attentive is necessary.

• That said, try not to talk over the host. Dead air is not acceptable on the radio. Pause when you have finished your thought, and the host will likely jump in to ask another question, follow-up, or offer their thoughts. While editing can happen with recorded interviews, excessive editing because you have created issues is not professional.

After the interview:

• Thank your host. It seems simple enough, but it is also an expression of manners lacking in our current society. The host and station have given you free publicity for your book. Even if you paid a nominal fee (and some stations do charge for interviews), you likely paid far less for the exposure you received. It takes less than sixty seconds to send an email, a text, or an IM. Be polite; thank your host.

• If your recorded interview airs at a later date if at all possible, listen to the station when it does. Radio is about listeners. Why should they interview you if you don’t bother to listen to them?

• Marketing doesn’t end with the airing of your interview. Almost all radio stations, terrestrial or internet, produce podcasts of the show or your interview segment; that is gold for an author. Post that podcast on your social media, website, and newsletter, wherever you can add a link.

On a personal note, I have appeared on the radio many times. I can attest to the effectiveness of appearing on programs and talking about an upcoming civic event or a business. Most recently, as an Administrator for a writing group on the Internet, I have appeared on an Internet radio station, Impact Radio USA, and their flagship show, Dr. Paul’s Family Talk. At the time of my first appearance on the show, the writing group had 6600 members. Today, four years and several interviews later, we have 77,700 members and can track our growth to those appearances. Radio works.

So, you, author—do an interview—on the radio!

~~~

Resources:

https://radio.co/blog/radio-still-popular#:~:text=Across%20all%20demographics%2C%20Nielsen%20demonstrates,is%20still%20popular%20today…

https://www.impactradiousa.com/

DR. PAUL’S FAMILY TALK: BOOK REVIEWS WITH DEBORAH RATLIFF — PART Five PODCAST

If you missed host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews — part 5 of a five-part Expert Series, here is the podcast.

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff reviewed three books on the January 6, 2021 broadcast of “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA.

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown

The Awakening by Nora Roberts

The Secret Weapon by Bradley Wright

Miss last month’s Book Review segment? Check out the podcast here!

Welcome to ​IMPACT RADIO USA, where we strive to provide the best in news, talk, sports, and music 24 hours a day, 52 weeks per year. Our goal is to keep you as the most informed and entertained Internet Radio audience.

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

” Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”
Live Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
11:00 am Eastern Time

“DR. PAUL’S FAMILY TALK”: BOOK REVIEWS WITH DEBORAH RATLIFF

Book Reviews on “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”

Impact Radio USA

Join host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews part of a five-part Expert Series.

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff will review books by Sandra Brown, Nora Robers, and Bradley Wright on tomorrow’s Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA. This is the final segment of a five-part Expert Series.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

11:00 am Eastern Time

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Miss last month’s Book Review segment? Check out the podcast here!

DR. PAUL’S FAMILY TALK: BOOK REVIEWS WITH DEBORAH RATLIFF — Part Four podcast

If you missed host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews — part 4 of a five-part Expert Series, here is the podcast.

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff reviewed three books on the December 9, 2020 broadcast of “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA.

The Law of Innocence“. Michael Connelly

“Once a Warrior” Jake Wood

“The Girl Who Lived“. Christopher Greyson

Miss last month’s Book Review segment? Check out the podcast here!

Welcome to ​IMPACT RADIO USA, where we strive to provide the best in news, talk, sports, and music 24 hours a day, 52 weeks per year. Our goal is to keep you as the most informed and entertained Internet Radio audience.

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

” Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”
Live Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
11:00 am Eastern Time

“Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”: BOOK REVIEWS WITH DEBORAH RATLIFF

Book Reviews on “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”

Impact Radio USA

Join host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews part of a five-part Expert Series.

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff will review three books on tomorrow’s segment of “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA.

Wednesday, December9, 2020

11:00 am Eastern Time

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Miss last month’s Book Review segment? Check out the podcast here!

“Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”: Book Reviews with Deborah A. Ratliff Podcast

Book Reviews on “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”

Impact Radio USA

Join host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews, part of a five-part Expert Series.

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff reviews three books on the November 18, 2020 segment of “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA.

Check out the November Book Review podcast here!

“Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” Impact Radio USA

LIVE Monday, Wednesday, Friday

11:00 am Eastern Time

Join Host Paul Reeves for the best in talk radio, great interviews, contest, music, sports and more!

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Dr. Paul’s Family Talk: Book Reviews with Deborah Ratliff

Book Reviews on “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”

Impact Radio USA

Join host Paul W. Reeves and Deborah Ratliff for Book Reviews part of a five-part Expert Series,

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff will review three books on tomorrow’s segment of “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

11:00 am Eastern Time

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Miss last month’s Book Review segment? Check out the podcast here!

DR. PAUL’S FAMILY TALK: October BOOK REVIEWS WITH DEBORAH RATLIFF

“Dr. Paul’s Family Talk “

Impact Radio USA

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff joined host Paul W. Reeves to review three books on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 as part of the monthly Expert Series.

When We Believed In Mermaids by Barbara O’Neal
Drift (Rachel Hatch Book 1)  by L.T. Ryan and Brian Shea
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Check out the podcast of the October Book Review radio interview here:
https://pod.co/impact-radio-usa/experts-series-deborah-ratliff-10-21-20

Missed September’s Book Review segment? The podcast with host Paul W. Reeves is here:
https://pod.co/impact-radio-usa/experts-series-deborah-ratliff-9-23-20

Listen to “Dr. Paul’s Family Talk” on Impact Radio USA
LIVE At 11:00 am Eastern Time Monday, Wednesday, Friday
http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Dr. Paul’s Family Talk: Book Reviews with Deborah Ratliff

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

“Dr. Paul’s Family Talk”

Impact Radio USA

WU! Admin Deborah Ratliff will be reviewing three books as part of the monthly Expert Series.

http://www.impactradiousa.com
(click on the LISTEN NOW button)

Check out September’s Book Review segment podcast with host Paul W. Reeves and tune in tomorrow!

Podcast Here:
https://pod.co/impact-radio-usa/experts-series-deborah-ratliff-9-23-20