😱 Radio Interviews Are Scary! 😱

Okay, so here’s the thing about radio interviews: they scare me half to death. At least, they used to. Case in point: Time travel 15 years in the past to November 2010. Back in the day, my publisher, Kregel Publications, had a publicist. This person’s job was to find ways to get the authors “out there” so their books might get a little recogntion. This was done by offering radio stations the opportunity to talk to authors about their newly released books. (Or in my case, offering “lambs to the slaughter.”)

I never wanted to be interviewed. (Maybe you already know I never really wanted to be published, either, but that is a story for another time. God wanted it to happen, so that’s why I’m an author.) Anyway, I dreaded talking to people I didn’t know about my new book(s). I mean, what in the world would they ask me?

Trouble was, a new author pretty much needs to do what their publisher suggests (especially when they’ve set up the interview), assuming the author will be thrilled for the free marketing opportunity. (Are you kidding me? I have to talk to somebody on the radio?)

I accepted, of course (did I have a choice?), and then prayed for the Lord’s return before the date. I was sick to my stomach when the Lord delayed His return and figured I’d just have to do it and get it over with. I survived, just barely.

I’ve gone through more than one of these terrifying ordeals, but this is the only “oldie-but-goldie” interview I found buried in my computer: Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure.

Fun fact: I haven’t listened to this interview since it was recorded and cannot remember what it’s about. But I offer it here (30 minutes long! Eeks!) if you and/or your kids are interested in hearing a very frightened new author answer questions about her book.

Click the image if you dare! 😱

😃 Radio Interview Stop Being Scary 😃

Fast forward back to 2025, to June 2025 in fact. Radio station WRGN in Pennsylvania offered me a chance to be interviewed about my books (and curricula) for homeschooling families (Circle C and Goldtown).

All the (imagined) horrors of past “talking to strangers on radio” came back. This time, however, I’d grown up a bit. God has been faithful and slowly but surely has pulled me out of my shell and into author book life. I accepted.

And guess what! It was way better because we now live in a world full of super-fun technology. I connected via Zoom and that made a world of difference. The radio manager (or owner, I can’t remember) made me feel totally at ease. Talking face to face is a hundred times better than talking on the phone to someone I can’t see. Since the final form was radio, only the audio is broadcast. Better yet, it’s only a 16-minute interview. I also offered a couple of fun giveaways to listeners in a WRGN contest.

Here is the interview! Click the image. And guess what? I have not listened to this interview since it was recorded. 😱 Some things never change. Happy listening!