Writers in the Storm

by J. Alexander Greenwood

The last time I appeared here, I talked about ways to be selected for podcast appearances to promote your writing. I hope it encouraged you to put yourself out there. In this post, we'll cover how to find and evaluate podcasts, so you don't waste your time on shows with poor quality or audiences that are a little too niche in size.

So, if you want to get booked on a podcast, I have good and bad news.

The good news is, according to PodcastHosting.org, there are two million (2,000,000!) podcasts out there with more than 48 million episodes available.

The bad news is there are two million (2,000,000!) podcasts out there of varying quality and audience size.

What does that mean if you're seeking a good fit for your topic with a decent-sized audience? How do you make that podcast love connection?

Evaluating Podcasts

So, you're looking for good shows to pitch? Let me simplify it for you with what I am looking for when researching shows.
One of my favorite places to find guests is with MatchmakerFM. No, it's not the dating service, though it is if you're looking for that elusive love connection with a podcast.

It’s a service (available with a free “lite” option) that helps podcasts and guests find each other. I interviewed its founder, James Mulvaney, shortly after it started; it now has more than 28,000 members.

As a guest, you can create a profile (here’s mine) to showcase your expertise and introduce yourself to podcasts in your niche. I love that there’s no cold pitching — people on MatchmakerFM expect to hear from you. They also help eliminate the dreaded email chains because you manage your communications in-app.

When you search for your types of shows, you will find the profile pages (here’s mine and my other one) of podcasts. From there, you can evaluate them for yourself.

Another important way to evaluate podcasts is to determine their audience size. As a small, niche podcast producer, I am the last person to tell you to avoid shows that don't have Joe Rogan mega numbers. My shows speak to a dedicated niche fiercely interested in the subject matter. I'd rather talk about my novels with two thousand listeners who actually read and buy books

There are plenty of great tools out there to get a handle on podcast audience size — Google around —or just look at the show's notes and reviews, which will give you a snapshot of quality and approximate size relative to the number of reviews and episodes.

Keep these criteria in mind as you listen and evaluate:

The show has at least a few dozen episodes.

I won’t go on a show that doesn’t have its sea legs. My first dozen shows were pretty rocky—everybody’s are. So, unless it’s an established podcasting/broadcasting pro starting a new show, I pass on podcasts without at least a couple of dozen episodes in the can--and definitely move on from shows that are inconsistently published. Listeners lose interest in shows that fall off the face of the Earth for weeks in between episodes.

They interview people regularly.

Shows that don't often do interviews usually have a few things in common: hosts unskilled in conducting interviews, and little experience managing the technical side of interviewing via the internet or in-person are significant concerns. It's pretty frustrating to get on shows that don't have experience in the interview process, from booking to post-show promo.

Sound.

The podcast pays attention to being heard clearly. Show me a great interviewer with a lousy mic or a lack of understanding of ambient noise, and I’ll show you a podcast that people don’t listen to.

The host.

Is the host at ease on their show? Do they know how to make an interview interesting, or are they just reading questions off a sheet of paper? I prefer to book and be booked on shows with hosts who can have an actual conversation. Why? People like listening to an interesting discussion, not a rote Q&A session. The other thing is to pay attention to how guests are treated. For example, (and oh boy, this happened to me) getting booked on a show where the co-hosts spend most of the interview time prattling at each other, leaving the guest to fend for his or herself. Infuriating!

The show has a website.

I prefer shows with an independent website that specifies its focus, links to where to listen and subscribe, and a robust show notes section. Why? I want my appearance memorialized in a show notes page with links to my website (good for SEO!), books/products, and other info. Bonus if you can listen on the site, so people don't have to hunt the episode down. On my show notes pages, I provide all sorts of links, and you can listen to the show's latest episodes right there.

The show audience will be interested in you.

Don’t waste time pitching something the show won’t be interested in. Of course, there are always exceptions, but you’re going for the highest-quality targets to spread your message. So, asking the guys doing a local sports roundup podcast to interview you about your romance novel is probably futile, unless you wrote a Bull Durham or The Natural type of story.

Social media and promo.

Does the podcast promote its episodes on social media or via newsletter? Do they have a sizable social media following? If not, you may be “shouting into the void.” That can be okay if you need interview practice time, but remember, you are doing this to build awareness and find new fans — that’s tougher with shows that don’t actively promote.

Finding the right show out of millions takes time. Still, if you pay attention to how a podcast sounds, looks, and promotes itself, you'll find it a more productive experience and you may just make a podcast love connection that can blossom into many “dates” in the future. Now get out there!

About Alex

J. Alexander Greenwood is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, podcaster, speaker, and former journalist and broadcasting executive. He is best known as the author of the John Pilate Mysteries and host/producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast podcast and the PR After Hours podcast. Mysterious Goings On was named an Apple Podcasts "New & Noteworthy" show in 2016 and was a 2019 People's Choice Podcast Awards nominee. Alex has recorded hundreds of hours of podcasts and made numerous appearances on TV, radio, podcasts, webinars, and conferences. He is the author of the Amazon Top-Selling eBook, The Podcast Option.

By Eldred Bird

If you’re like me, trying to figure out what genre you’re writing can be a bit of a mystery (no pun intended). I often hear the terms terror and horror used interchangeably. While both are close relatives and seek to create emotional responses, they are in fact quite different.

Terror is a feeling of intense fear or dread, whereas Horror is defined as an overwhelming feeling caused by a scary, shocking, or revolting event. To truly understand the differences, let’s take a closer look at how the two are related and what sets them apart.

Terror

Terror is all about emotions like fear and dread. It’s an intellectual thing. It deals with what’s going on inside the character’s head as they anticipate what may be coming as they move deeper into a dangerous situation.

I like to think of it in terms of the Schrodinger’s Cat thought experiment. As your character approaches a potentially haunted house, they don’t know what they’re going to find when they open the door. Do evil spirits await them, or just dust and cobwebs? Is the scratching sound coming from upstairs a monster lurking in the attic, or a windblown branch scraping against a window. It’s all about building that heightened emotional state.

Some of the best examples come from Edgar Allen Poe. While stories like The Tell Tale Heart are often referred to as great works of horror, terror is the engine that drives them. The anticipation of the narrator’s heinous act, followed by the constant beating of the heart inside his head, drives the pace until the anxiety level reaches a breaking point.

Horror

If terror is an intellectual concept, then horror is the opposite. It’s about the gut reaction. It’s the no-thinking, fight-or-flight response. If terror is the anticipation of what’s behind the door, horror is opening it and seeing the monster on the other side, be it human or otherwise.

When I think horror, the first authors that pop into my head are people like Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, and Anne Rice. The blood, gore, and evil beings are placed front and center for all the world to see. While there are elements of terror as well, the overwhelming emotional driver is the visceral reaction the reader gets from what they see, rather than what they don’t see.

Blurred Lines

The truth is the line between horror and terror is a bit fuzzy. Most stories that fall into these genres have elements of both. It’s hard to imagine a shocking reveal and payoff in horror without the building fear level offered by terror. Likewise, what’s the point of fear and anxiety if it was all for naught in the end.

The key is to ask yourself what is the main emotion you’re shooting for, shock or fear? Is your story about the unseen dangers, or the blood spraying off the axe that just contacted skin and bone? The answers to those questions will point you down the right path.

Speaking of paths, here’s a dark little number to get you ready for Halloween. (I've included both the spoken and written versions below.)

https://youtu.be/qumfty4fruA

Shadow Path

By Eldred Bird

Within a forest dark and deep

Along a narrow path

Shivering I inch and creep

In fear of shadow’s wrath

Evil things await me there

With eyes as black as coal

They torture me without a care

And feed upon my soul

They hide ‘round darkened hedges

Neath stones they lay in wait

They gather under ledges

Where they contemplate my fate

Caring not as others pass

For me alone they linger

As I approach the demons mass

One points an icy finger

Springing from their hiding place

With fiery breath so fowl

Seeking now to slow my pace

They scratch the earth and growl

But I fear not their teeth that tear

Or claws that rip and shred

For the monsters I have come to fear

Live only in my head

Who are your favorite horror and terror authors? What stories do you like to read by flashlight on a dark and stormy night? Let us know in the comments below. Happy Halloween to everyone!

About Eldred

Eldred Bird writes contemporary fiction, short stories, and personal essays. He has spent a great deal of time exploring the deserts, forests, and deep canyons inside his home state of Arizona. His James McCarthy adventures, Killing Karma, Catching Karma, and Cold Karma, reflect this love of the Grand Canyon State even as his character solves mysteries amidst danger. Eldred explores the boundaries of short fiction in his stories, The Waking Room, Treble in Paradise: A Tale of Sax and Violins, and The Smell of Fear.

When he’s not writing, Eldred spends time cycling, hiking, and juggling (yes, juggling…bowling balls and 21-inch knives).

His passion for photography allows him to record his travels. Find him on Twitter or Facebook, or at his website.

by Kris Mazene author perk is the joy of sharing your writing with readers, and it can be extra-special to work with a younger audience in a school. But if you hold an author talk at a school, it’s important to set up expectations in advance to insure a successful event. Speaking to younger readers can be challenging if one isn’t prepared well enough.  In a school setting, there are a few ways authors can make a positive impact, engage on a deeper level with students, and make a lasting impression that gets you invited back year after year.

Guest Speaking at a School

What reasons would you be invited to a school? Authors can get invited to talk to students for many reasons.  Here are just a few.

Job connections for future writers

Students are in the business of figuring out what they want to do when they grow up.  And it is helpful for young people to see adults doing the work they too may want to try.  Sharing what it is like to be an author can inspire young readers to share their own stories some day.

Foster a love for story, reading, and writing for students

Teachers invite guest speakers who are experts in a field to share unique insights with their students.  As an author you have an expertise in writing conventions, story telling, and other parts of running an author business.  Find out what focus your teacher expects you to talk about and prepare a presentation that will help students appreciate stories.

Add depth to curriculum and standards-based learning

Teachers have specific expectations as to what they are to teach and you can add value to your visit by covering topics that relate to the work students are doing (and increase your chances of returning for another speaking opportunity.) Perhaps the students are studying plants and you have a story about a boy who grows a garden.  See if part of that book could help foster interest in a seed growing lesson or other related topic the teacher may be teaching.  The more connections the author can make to the work already happening in the classroom, the more connections to learning they can make.

Author Benefits for Guest Speaking at a School

Want to improve your author talks with young readers?  Read on to find out how you can connect with the school and get the most from your presentations.  

Students will learn from your presentation, but it can enhance your writing career too.  Look over these ways working in a classroom can improve your writing career.

Working with students can inspire YOU, dear writer. 

Their innocence and/or lack of inexperience can help a writer reconnect to that age and stage in life.  It makes you more accessible to what life was like in that time and perhaps add to characters in your own novels.

Creating interest around reading and stories creates future readers. 

This seems logical, and in the digital age students still consume a lot of written word.  They may choose to buy your books, or request them from parents, teachers, and librarians. Students also grow up and may want to read your work later, based on the fact that you were a cool guest speaker that they got to hear once.  It could be that they were always an avid reader, or the kid who never cracked open a book who was just happy to not have to take a math test, but the impact an author can make can last and influence future reading habits.

My Recent Author Talk with a Young Writers Club

In October, I presented to a Young Writers Club in Wisconsin.  The teacher had me speak to his 5^th grade class in the past and invited me back to speak to this club.  The students meet on Tuesdays after school and have a range in age from 3^rd to 8^th grade students. 

Due to being on the West Coast, I had to pre-record a message.  In the video I made for these students, I addressed the questions they asked about me. I was able to have broad answers and made the backdrop for my talk a spooky, Halloween themed décor.  I had fun with it and kept the presentation light.

Another aspect of this talk was my invitation to writers to make handwritten letters.  I offered to hand write a response to each student who sent a letter.  The teacher said he would facilitate this and send their letters to my mail box. 

Here is a link to the video from that presentation.  Consider making one for your next presentation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T1u42rL5wY

Advance Communication with Teacher

Teachers are incredibly busy people and most appreciate good advance planning.  A month before your visit I recommend reaching out to the teacher and finding out details of your visit.  Showing that you are asking in advance demonstrates that you are prepared and interested in the students.  It also shows that your presentation will be valuable to the students and helpful to the teacher.

Questions to ask –

• What is the topic of some of the stories you are currently reading?
• What themes the students examining in your classes?
• What other subjects and topics could you talk about that cover curriculum? 
• Would the teacher prefer a preset general talk about being an author or about the books they have written?
• Should the focus be on writing as a profession or writing as a craft?
• How much time will there be? (always over-plan but expect to have less time than allotted.)
• Is there technology available if you plan to do a visual presentation such as power point, google slides, or short video clips on YouTube, for example?

Be aware of your kid audience’s needs

Attention spans

Students have varying attention spans at all ages, but there is a rule of thumb to consider. Check into what age group you will primarily speak to and plan to keep a talk to under the limit. Find out the age and multiply it by 2.  This tends to be a good estimate for attention spans.

Engage the 5 senses

Add videos and other activities to break up the time and keep the students engaged throughout.

1. Think of using digital media to break up the activities. 

Video clips of 30 seconds to 2 minutes can enhance a presentation.  These activate different sensory parts of the brain and keep students engaged longer.  Long videos will also lose their attention, so have a variety of things to choose from.  If one activity isn’t working, you may want to shift into another one.

2. Ask about bringing in food.

Student allergies can limit what a presenter could share with a class.  Food and snacks are usually a fun addition to any presentation but ask the teacher about special needs and school policies on food in classes first.

3. Offer manipulatives and other hands-on activities. 

Perhaps your groups get seeds to plant.  Or they work on coloring a bookmark.  Or dress up and act out a scene.  Using props helps engage students.

4. Bring Help. 

One author I know uses a sock puppet named appropriately, Sock Puppet Tim.  He always gets a smile and student attention. Try bringing in a prop that you can use while presenting.  It can also take pressure off you as a speaker if you are shy or new to speaking in public.

Connect to current learning

Ignite imaginations

Bring the wow factor. Bring a variety of things you think will be ‘cool’ and let students explore your fun props. One doesn’t know which thing will resonate, but ultimately they will be impressed by your interesting career. 

Be inclusive

Schools welcome students of all abilities, social strata, backgrounds, and cultures. Check your materials for wording and visuals that show a variety of cultures and peoples in a positive manner. Your presentation will be received well if it attempts to show students of all backgrounds that they are included and accepted. Talk to the teacher if you have more questions regarding how to structure your presentation to best suit your young audience.

Let kids lead and promote their writing skills

Writing prompts

Use writing prompts. Writing prompts are a good way engage students in writing.  Ask the teacher for some or write a few that kids would relate to.  Be sure that they connect to your book or work you are presenting.

Writing workshop

Hold a mini writing workshop. Pick aspects that work with the current or previous lessons and let students show off what they have learned.  Add to their learning with a specific focus, adding adjectives, self-editing, offering feedback, or describing people or animals with details as examples.

Class reading circle

Have students engage in your work while reading.  Here are some suggested methods.

• Students read segments of your work.
• If you have speaking characters, take volunteers to read parts and do a theater in the round.
• Do a silent choral read.  Students hold up a hand when they have an emotional response to a line or segment of what you are reading.  The visual effect of this activity is amazing and worth a try.
• Say One line. Students read from their own work.  Try having them say one line from their work they used to open a story, paragraph, end a story, most descriptive, character action, etc.

Suggestions for your interactive time:

• Do a pass-a-prop to ensure one speaker at a time.
• Establish good listening expectations before starting.
• Have students think through and round the circle a second time. This time having students mention something another student said that stood out to them.

Connect. Plan to follow up with the school

Ask the teacher the best way to connect with the class after the presentation. Be cautioned that reaching out to students is a delicate issue and schools and parents are protective of their children at any age. 

Important considerations for student safety:

Think about how the connection would appear on a front page of a newspaper or newsfeed before approaching a student without a school staff person.  If it could be interpreted in a negative light, it is not worth contacting the student -always talk to the teacher first if you are in doubt.

Avoid using personal phone numbers or email addresses with minors. 

It is always best to let the teacher coordinate how and how often one should reach out to students.  Also avoid connecting with students on any social media outside of the school parameters.

Use language that is appropriate for the age group...

and keep your writing career above the fray. Use words that will clearly convey what you mean to the age group you are speaking to. If you aren't sure about a wording or topic, it's probably best not to use it.

Use trigger alerts.

If you cover topics that could trigger any kind of adverse reaction, tell the students before proceeding.  Ask the teacher if any student may find the topics too harsh and be willing to adjust accordingly.

Report anything you may be concerned about to the teacher.

Students may open up to a stranger, especially one that seems like an expert.  But you are not going to be able to follow up with a serious situation.  And there may be legal implications for anything you say to the student. Mandatory Reporting is an important consideration for student safety. Talk to the school staff if a child shares anything you are worried about. They are trained to handle sensitive situations and can connect a student with serious problems to services they may need.

After the presentation

Be willing to take questions.

Teachers may ask students to form questions before the presentation to spark interest.  Q & A can go for a long time or result in crickets. Have a back up plan or activity in place.

Get Feedback.

Perhaps have a digital form to take their feedback.  Google forms are free and easy to access.  Schools a mostly used to this format.

Ask for old-fashioned snail mail. 

In a writing club I connected with I gave the teacher my P.O. Box used for reader mail.  The teacher plans to collect letters written at their meeting and send them together to the mailbox.  I said I would respond with personal letters.

What ways have you engaged your audience during an Author Presentation? What worked well? What went horribly wrong that you could share with our readers? Let's grow together and help create a new generation of readers.

About Kris

Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Storm where she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing at her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.

And occasionally, she knits.