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Francine Silverman is author of four books, on-line publicist, newsletter publisher, radio host and a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer. Since getting her clients on countless radio shows, Fran has adopted the tag “talk radio advocate.” Her latest book is Talk Radio Wants You: An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited  (McFarland & Co 2009). talkradioadvocate.com
 
A lifelong New Yorker, Fran honed her writing skills as a newspaper reporter and freelance writer. She authored two travel guidebooks, Catskills Alive (2000 and 2003) and Long Island Alive (2003), both published by Hunter Publishing.
 
In 2003, Fran started Book Promotion Newsletter for authors of all genres. bookpromotionnewsletter.com.
 
The bi-weekly ezine spawned Book Marketing from A-Z (Infinity Publishing 2005), containing the best marketing strategies of 325 subscribers. The 400-page paperback is in alphabetical order for ease of use, and received nearly 40 rave reviews from on-line reviewers.

Thank you Francine for granting us this interview! To start, please tell us what you're currently working on.

Puttting together and editing the hundreds of questionnaires I received from radio hosts for my latest book, Talk Radio Wants You.

Have you received any awards for your work?

Book Marketing from A-Z was a Runner-Up in the 2005 DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Book Festival competition in the How-to Category.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I am starting this week to speak to a Rotary Club in Trenton, NJ about talk radio. This will be followed by three more talks to Rotary and Kiwanis clubs in Connecticut.

How has your background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your profession?

Everything began with my ezine, Book Promotion Newsletter. When I realized how clever my subscribers were, I put together Book Marketing from A-Z, encompassing the best marketing strategies of 325 of my subscribers. I began my on-line publicity service by signing up many subscribers, and that's how I got into radio - by placing them on radio shows.
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Yes, my newsletter gets me in touch with my subscribers, and my book and publicity service gets me in touch with radio hosts all over.

What will your next project be?

Right now I am concentrating on speaking and marketing my book. My next project will be offering e-books of each of the 40 categories in my book.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

My subscribers inspire me with their innovative ideas and clever marketing strategies.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

I love being an on-line publicist and making matches between guests and hosts. When they both click, I feel like a proud mother.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

If the writer's goal is to be an author, before deciding on what book to write, know your audience. Who will read it? Think how you will market before it's published and don't stop marketing the book. Persistence is the name of the game.

How did you get started as a writer?

I started as a newspaper reporter and freelance writer.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

There are simply too many to name.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I spend a good deal of time on the computer searching for radio shows for my clients.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

Well, in the writing field, I enjoy reading Dan Poynter and John Kremer's books on writing, publishing and marketing.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

As long as he needs me, I know where I will I be...

Thank you Francine! We wish you great success with your current and future projects!