Subscribe to RSS 2.0I was on the radio!
That was fun! You can hear me gently disagreeing with Fay Weldon on Radio 4's Today programme here. Scroll down the page and click on 0800-0830, and fast forward to about 18.28 or download an MP3 file here (it's about 4-5MB - or click the little arrow to 'stream' the file (whatever that means)).
I think I'll tell you what it was like in detail because I found it fascinating.
I've done lots of interviews for magazines and papers but never for radio, so it was unchartered territory for me. I arrived very early, despite there being huge delays on the Central line which I was rather grateful for - if the train hadn't gone at walking pace I would have arrived an hour early and that's just embarrassingly keen.
So I got there at 7.45, and sat next to the Tardis in reception, and a lady came to get me at 8.10. She took me and another gentleman upstairs, and put us both in a waiting area. A moment later she came back and asked me to go with her, and showed me into a corner office. I sat, got my bearings, and realised it was the actual room, with the actual presenters, with actual microphones and a sign that said 'on'. For some reason I thought I'd be in one box and they would be in another box, like in the pictures of radio in the second world war (I am not very current). There was a tape of an interview playing, and the presenters were having conversations with the people outside the room over the intercom. It was all so laid back - they let the door bang (it was a quiet bang, but all the same), they type away and rustle papers and people like me just saunter in and have a sit down.
I wasn't told to do anything, and didn't want to interrupt anyone so I sat quietly until Ed Stourton looked up and said 'Ah! You must be [refer to papers, rustle] Emma Barnes!' They have pages and pages of information about what's going on in front of them, so they quickly read the notes and were then ready to go. Pretty impressive. I found that as soon as the conversation turned to something I knew about, all my nerves disappeared and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it did make me think how clever the presenters are for being able to rapidly absorb all sorts of stories from someone else's notes and then to be able to ask sensible questions. I was told to put on the headphones in front of me as Fay Weldon was in the Salisbury office (not office - er, studio!). It was seamless - the presenters were talking to each other about something, then suddenly they were talking and the rest of the country was listening.
It started; it was over. I wasn't sure what to do - whether I should leave the room or wait until the microphones were switched off - but James Naughtie beckoned to me to come to his side of the table. He showed me the cover design on his screen for his book that's coming out in October. I thought it was very good and nodded a lot, because the poor sports man was trying to talk about sports and I didn't want to be a distraction. And then I left the room.
I know this reads a bit like a school trip report, but it was a super adventure and I wanted to write down exactly what happened so I remember. I think I'd like to be a radio star when I grow up.
Comments: 11
I heard you - and you are a radio star! Coherent, cogent, co-operative and beautifully spoken...and you got on and got off noiselessly....I think a gold star for you....
Posted by: Mary-Jane Cullen on August 3, 2007 11:06 AM
Actual fame! Congrats!
I happened to check out the Snowblog at 0821, and found your earlier update. Rushed to the kitchen and switched on the radio (5Live in the study, see), and there you were, as you say, gently disagreeing with the great Fay.
Would you have been as brave if she'd been sat next to you, threatening an arm-wrestle?
I thought you sounded, well, like you. So that's an achievement already, for your first radio appearance. Have you thought about trying to shoehorn a book into Mayo's book reviews on 5Live too? They're always interested in cover design before they even talk about the books.
Posted by: John A-W on August 3, 2007 11:12 AM
I thought you very eloquent, and nodded in agreement at your points. I was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of the presenter when I was interviewed on BBC local radio about my book, so I'm pleased to see that such manners are generic across BBC radio.
Posted by: Rachel Green on August 3, 2007 11:15 AM
Emma, you sounded like a seasoned radio performer! If that you was being nervous, then it didn't show. (To sound much more more relaxed than you did, you would have had to have been unconscious.)
Your blog sense of humour didn't come across, though; Fay Weldon came over as the light, funny one, and you as the stern business-like professional.
But at least you didn't foam at the mouth when Fay Weldon said she could design a better cover for her books than her own publisher...
Posted by: Gordon Thomson on August 3, 2007 11:33 AM
Hi Emma,
You were great on the radio today. Loved how you put Snowbooks across, (how your authors are happy with your covers). Sounded flawless. Definitely no indictation of nerves. It?s obviously a media you seem comfortable in. Congrats!
Nora Blonde
Posted by: Nora Blonde on August 3, 2007 11:40 AM
It was very entertaining. I was very glad you were so clear that authors shouldn't be allowed near the cover design process. It wasn't as smooth as you supposed. They played the interview with the Penguin chap about half an hour early in the middle of a different piece. It was only because I heard this that I remembered you were on and stayed tuned in. Shame you weren't in the same studio as Fay Weldon as I think you'd probably have had a great discussion afterwards with her.
Matthew
Posted by: Matthew on August 3, 2007 12:06 PM
I meant to add: quote of the day has to be:
"Books aren't like fridges"
Posted by: John A-W on August 3, 2007 12:29 PM
OK, first of all, I agree with everything everyone has said - especially about Simon Mayo - brilliant idea.
But as for books not being like fridges - I have a red Smeg fridge which has got to be like some books with cool, 30s pulp fiction style covers. The content of my fridge, however, being when I last looked largely low fat yoghurts and San Miguel, is probably not like many books. Or maybe like Fay Weldon's..?
I could send you a picture of my fridge if I knew how. Can you add pictures to posts?
Posted by: Sarah Bower on August 3, 2007 03:32 PM
Yes! Email me a picture! x
Posted by: em on August 3, 2007 03:42 PM
Hi Sarah, I've just finished reading The Needle In The Blood and absolutely loved it. And the cover is just perfect for the story. I can't imagine it with anything different.
Best wishes
Dee
Posted by: Dee Weaver on August 3, 2007 05:16 PM
Ms. Barnes;
A wonderful little segment. I couldn't agree with you opinions more. I truly thought your speaking was both eloquent and tactful, yet you had very little trouble in getting your point across.
Great job.
Posted by: Keith Latch on August 6, 2007 02:09 PM