Snap Magic Live Radio Interview

I'm having fun hopping from blog to blog on the Snap Magic blog tour at the moment, but before it all kick started, Snap Magic was given a good push into the stratosphere by being featured in a live to air radio interview on 612ABC Brisbane's  'Mornings' with Steve Austin. Steve is such a welcoming and fun host, who quickly helped me feel at ease. We had quite a few laughs.

You can have a listen by clicking on the photo.

Radio Interview Tips

Being an author is about more than just writing. I've spent the last few weeks liaising, planning, organising, delegating, photoshopping, creating, booking, nagging and promoting the Inside Story event this Saturday at Black Cat Books - a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators world wide celebration, showcasing fourteen Queensland and northern NSW author/illustrators as they share the inside story behind their books.

As organiser and MC for the day I was also interviewed on 612 ABC radio by the lovely Kelly Higgins Devine. Whilst not the first time I have been on radio, it is always a rush. My dear sister, who is experienced as a former radio presenter, has given me a tip which I always remember:

"Smile broadly when you speak and it will lift your voice and engage the listeners." 

So I did. I grinned like crazy. The feedback from a friend of a friend was, "She sounded very enthusiastic."

Of course, my intention was to promote the Inside Story event, but radio is about engaging listeners and so the presenter will lull you into a conversation which inevitably leads you away from your task - to promote! With only minutes to get your information across, it can be tricky to negotiate questions like 'Where do you get your ideas from?' whilst trying to make sure the listeners know there will be PRIZES and what time they should get to Black Cat Books.

So here's another tip from my sister:

"Break your message into three points and focus on these."

I had scribbled on a small piece of paper:

1. What is it? 14 authors share the Inside Story behind their books at a simultaneous event taking place in twelve cities worldwide.
2. Why come along? Meet real life authors/illustrators, win prizes and eat cake.
3. Where/when is it? Black Cat Books, 179 Latrobe Street, Paddington, Brisbane; 10am, 2nd Nov

A friend on Facebook said I sounded "calm and professional."

Well, now you know that was a con! Professional maybe, but calm.... the smiling helped.

My Radio Debut

As promised, here at last is the link to my debut on radio.

A few weeks ago Pond Magic was chosen to be the first Book of the Month for 2011 in ABC 91.7 Gold Coast 's Book Club with the lovely presenter Nicole Dyer.

And so one sunny Friday morning I turned up at the ABC 91.7 studios beautifully dressed and coiffed for my 'live' radio interview. Joining me was Stephanie Laverie who had won a copy of Pond Magic and the opportunity to meet the author and review the book live on air through ABC 91.7's Facebook page . - No pressure for me!

Nicole Dyer, Angela Sunde and Stephanie Laverie

Some of you will know that my sister, Nadia Sunde is also a radio presenter. So naturally, I went to her for advice...

"Put on your happy voice," she said. "Speak with a smile on your face the whole time and the listeners will 'hear' that smile."

I took that on board. Just like when teaching, you cannot show your fear. Luckily Nicole Dyer has the knack of making her guests feel relaxed and at home, so I was soon chatting away in my 'happy voice' with remnants of a Kiwi accent.

The segment went for 12 minutes of which an edited 5 minutes (plus a written review) has been published on the ABC 91.7 website. If you'd like to have a listen to the stories behind Pond Magic, my inspiration and how I came to be published, pop over to the link below and scroll down to the audio file.  You'll also get to hear my ... voice. (Scary, I know).

"March Book Club Review: Pond Magic. How do you turn creative ideas of yours into a book that will not only grab a child's attention but keep them hooked? " 

A Radio Star is Born

I'm appearing on radio this Friday, 25th March at 10.40am Qld time. Now can I say 'appearing' when no one will actually see me?

Nicole Dyer presents the Book Club, a program on ABC 91.7 Gold Coast FM once a month on a Friday morning.

For half an hour two listeners will review my book, Pond Magic, and ask me questions. And we will all be 'live' in the studio. It's exciting stuff.

Nicole Dyer and Louise Pieper

And so for my 'appearance' I'm having my haircut tomorrow. I know, I know they won't see me, but Nicole  usually takes photos of guests and puts them on the ABC 91.7 Facebook page. Plus I'm meeting two listeners/fans for the first time.

Can't wait!

Here are the details:

ABC 91.7 Coast FM
10.40am Qld Time (AEST -1)
Friday, 25th March 2011

One Thing Leads to Another

I'm finally getting into the swing of this year. My calendar is filling up and new opportunities arrive from the most surprising connections.

When submissions were opened for an art exhibition called 'The Art of Reading' at the Robina Art Gallery, I thought my work would be a perfect fit. The exhibition's objectives were to showcase books and the ephemera of reading.

I submitted four artworks - watercolour illustrations of picture book pages, including the illustration I did for my webpage.

Half way through the two week exhibition I was pleased to see that only three of my business cards were left. I replenished the pile and came back a week later to only one. My author/illustrator brand was connecting with the audience. But even better I received three invitations directly as a result of the Art of Reading Exhibition.

One of these I can tell you about now.

My book, Pond Magic, has been picked up by ABC Coast FM 91.7 radio, which transmits to the entire Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Tweed areas. Pond Magic will be discussed on Nicole Dyer's morning Book Program which is on the last Friday of each month. Nicole does a terrific job bringing books and authors into the lives of the ABC listeners and promoting Australian books by local authors.

Nicole Dyer of ABC Gold Coast 91.7 and Louise Pieper of Gold Coast City Libraries.

Photo courtesy of ABC Gold Coast 91.7 FM

Two ABC 91.7 listeners with children have been sent a copy each and on Friday the 25th March these listeners will be live (with me) in the studio to review Pond Magic and ask me questions. Can you imagine how thrilled I am? Well, even more than that.

So here's the details: Listen Australia 4GCR - ABC Gold Coast 91.7 FM Live Radio Online

ABC Gold Coast 91.7 FM
Friday the 25th March

10am till 10.30 am Queensland time
(11am till 11.30am Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time)

I hope some of you are able to have a listen. I'll let you know how it goes.