Are you listening?

The podcast circuit gets the word out about my novel and me

About halfway through the podcast with a San Antonio radio host, I noticed that a remnant of black bean had slid from my gum onto a top tooth. I leaned out of the picture and wiped it away. But I wondered how long it had been there. (I haven’t watched the podcast yet.)

Another time, the host never showed himself. Just his mug shot appeared on the screen. And that threw me. I had no way to connect with him, he had not prepared beyond reading my profile, and it was probably my worst performance.

Since I joined PodMatch earlier this year, I have been on seven podcasts. Four more are scheduled. I could have scheduled many, many more. But I am trying to pace myself and I always like to listen to a few episodes first —which takes time. Podmatch tees up three matches at a time, based on my profile. I match or pass. I have three waiting for me right now.

If I want to match, I send a message to the host about why I would like to be on their show. A few times, a host has contacted me directly without a match. That’s a great confidence booster.

I have the standard plan, which is $32 a month. I can’t envision needing the professional plan; incoming matches and messages would be too intense.

To my fellow authors: This has been a success on so many levels. First, it gives me experience talking about the novel and myself in a variety of contexts. On Tuesday, I did “Created in the Image of God,” which was an hour of talking about The Salt and Light Express and its spiritual themes. I discussed my own faith journey. On another podcast yet to air, “Everything and Anything . . . and a Bit Gay,” I talked about my personal journey and what it was like to be a lesbian with one foot in the closet ‘way back when. He asked great questions and I said things I had never uttered out loud before (but it felt good).

In most cases, the theme is “She got her MFA at 68 and published a novel at 69.” On “Spirit Talk Show: Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups,” he asked me about the moon landing (I was babysitting in Irving, Texas) and the Kennedy assassination (I was at a Brownie troop meeting on a Friday afternoon). I felt like an elder sage; it felt gratifying. That episode will be released on May 13.

Two, it helps you polish your message and story. I think the first podcast had two views. But I am slowly working my way up to podcasts with more reach and listeners. Hopefully, it will be a springboard to shows with thousands of listeners.

Three, it helps get the word out about the book while I am struggling with visibility on social media. And sales. A promotional campaign on Facebook and Amazon fizzled miserably, and all day long I get unsolicited offers from “book placement specialists” and charlatans masquerading as real people in the publishing industry. If someone legit ever contacts me, how will I know?

Equipment: I already had a set of headphones and I invested in a Blue Yeti microphone for $109. The hosts use different platforms—Zoom, Riverside, Streamyard—so you have to be acquainted with them.

My current Hail Mary strategy is to find at least one influential person to read and recommend the book. The podcast circuit is a cost-effective way to expand my reach beyond Delaware. Famous person, are you listening?

(Note: If you join PodMatch, please tell them I recommended it. You get a small commission.)