podcast guesting for writers (and other creatives) 101

Podcasts of all kinds are everywhere and in many forms. Naturally you have thoughts about being a guest on one - chatting about your work, your glorious life as an esteemed author, and generally having a good time. How do you get on a podcast? How do you handle the moment once you get there?

So many podcasts

Think about which podcast you'd like to be a guest on. Start with the ones you enjoy and that relate to your interests and what you have to talk about. To find more podcasts, try using ListenNotes. This website provides information on podcasts, their topics, where listeners are from, and how popular they are. PodChaser is another place to find podcast lists. If you're interested in newsletters about podcasts, The Audio Storyteller substack offers helpful information.

Once you've found some podcasts, listen to at least a few episodes. Note the common topics, tone, and vibe of the show. Analyze what makes the podcast special and how your topic fits in. Learn about the host and typical guests. Remember, there are different ways to connect with a podcast. It might be through the topic, your life experience, location, or current events.

It's important to know what you want to discuss because when you reach out to the podcast producer or host, you’ll need to let them know what you'd like to talk about and how what you’d like to talk about connects with their show and the show's mission. Don't just say your project is great and they should have you on. Instead, say that their show is great, and you'd be lucky to be on it. Consider offering some specific examples. Mention an episode you liked and how your experience as a writer or creative artist connects with it. Explain how your book, film, script, or whatever, adds to the show’s ongoing conversation.

Getting in touch

When should you contact the producer or host?  You can do this anytime, but if you want to promote a specific project, like a book, it's best to wait until you've actually finished writing the book and you know for certain when it will be published. However, promoting yourself as a writer and creative person of the world is more beneficial than just promoting one book. Podcasts can last forever, so your contribution should stay relevant. So, think of yourself broadly as a writer or creative artist. Contextualize your book or project within your overall work and who you are as a creator.

Get prepared

Once you are booked for an interview, prepare.

Assess your technology. A good microphone is important. A clear voice makes listening much nicer for everyone. A mic doesn’t have to be expensive to work well enough. Invest in or borrow one.

Select a good space for the interview. Consider background noise. If it's a video, check what’s behind you and make sure it fits your vibe. If it’s a video, think about the contrast between your clothing and background. If the background is busy, wear a solid color. Check your lighting prior to the interview. Do you need to add or change the angle of the lighting?

Plan for delays. If your interview is 30 minutes, allow an hour in case there are tech problems.

If you've listened to episodes of the podcast you're booked on, you'll know how the host usually starts the show. Be ready for that.

Think about what you want from the interview. Pick 1 to 3 key points you’d like to focus on. That’s 1 to 3. Not 5. Listeners are busy and often multitask while listening, so keep it simple. Keeping the number of key points low will allow the conversation to be fluid. Know some stories you can tell. For example, if you're promoting a book or other project, share how that creative work came to be.

Reflect on what excites you most about writing. Bring your stories, experiences, and humanity to the table. It's not just about stating your key points but creating a story around them. Include context, emotions, and reflections. In short, be ready to talk and be open. Think about what you're comfortable discussing and what you can say in those areas. Remember, the goal of the interview is not just to promote something but to join a bigger conversation. If you think it’ll help, practice with a friend.

But I’m a writer not a talker

Being a writer and being a good guest on a podcast might seem very different but there are some similarities that once identified can make you, the writer, be a livelier and more successful guest. Writers work quietly, often alone, creating stories and sharing emotions silently. It’s true that writing is done alone, but eventually, others will read it. Writers aim to ultimately connect with an audience, even if it's later and without the writer being present. When you're interviewed on a podcast, you also connect with an audience and share stories and emotions. The big difference is that this connection happens live and in public.

As a writer you know how to communicate creatively. You have storytelling skills. You can use these skills in face-to-face interviews too. Bring your talents to the interview. If you're a fiction writer, you're a storyteller. If you're a poet, you're good with words, images, and emotions. If you're an essayist, you blend storytelling with creative word use. Use these skills in your interview and let your writing strengths guide you. The podcast host wants you to be yourself. They are there to make you shine, so just be yourself.  Show up with your skills and use them.

Here’s something obvious. Be ready for questions. Most of the questions are meant to get you talking and to shape the conversation. The best answers aren't for quick, simple answers—it's not a quiz. You’re not a witness in a trial. The host expects you to expand on your responses and share more than just what's asked. You may also be asked information seeking questions. You’re smart. You’ll be able to tell the difference between prompting questions and information seeking questions. So, if you are asked for information and you have the information, provide it without all that fancy scene-sequel stuff.

Use your unique skills to make your answers interesting. If you're good with images, use metaphors and similes. If you’re an essayist, turn each reply into a mini essay. Writers understand the structure of scenes and sequels. Apply this structure in your replies.

When asked a question, share your response using the scene and sequel structure. First the scene. Provide some background information or context. Then put yourself in the moment and isolate a pivotal moment or event. Use all five senses to create a vivid scene. Include setting details, action, motivation, and characters so listeners can experience the moment with you. After the scene, create a sequel. Share your thoughts and feelings about what happened. What did you learn? How did you feel? What new direction did you take? Use this scene – sequel structure to make each response clear and engaging for your audience.

It’s a conversation

You are always in control of what you talk about, and you can guide the conversation. If you're asked a question you don't want to answer or don't know the answer to, change it to something you can discuss. For example, when asked a question you don’t know the answer to, instead of saying, “I don't know the answer to that,” start talking about something related that you do know about. When asked a question you don’t have much to say about or you prefer not to answer you could say, “That question makes me think about...” and then talk about your preferred topic.

You're not hiding anything; you're just keeping the conversation lively and interesting. You have key points you want to make, maybe two or three main ideas. You can steer the conversation towards these points.

Remember, stories and small narratives are more engaging than facts. Facts should support your story—not be the main point. People remember stories better than facts. People listen to podcasts because they are interested in other people, so be authentic. There is no one else like you.

If the interview isn't going well for you, take control and redirect it. This isn't bad; it's good. The host wants the show to go well and hear what you have to say. So, guiding the conversation to where you have something valuable to share helps both of you. Here again is where listening to episodes of the show prior to being a guest will be helpful.

Silence is okay. It might feel long and awkward to you, but listeners are comfortable with it. The host won't mind a bit of silence either. If you need a few seconds to think, take it. You can use silence to highlight important points or as a transition.

Asking your own questions is okay. You can ask the host to rephrase the question if you're unsure about it. You can also repeat the question back to them for clarification.

Again, it's a conversation, not an interrogation or a test. Trust the skill of the host, do your best to relax, be yourself and have fun.

Not convinced this is enough? Here are a couple of books that may be helpful:

The Perfect Story by Karen Eber

Your Story, Well Told by Corey Rosen

…afterward

If the host asks for your social media handles or other information, send it. A thank you note never hurts. Your thank you may stand out because many people don’t send such a note.

Subscribe to the show. Some shows tape several, or in my case many, episodes at a time and then release the episodes over time. It may be weeks or months until your episode is released. If this is an issue for you, ask about the show’s release practice at the interview. Once your episode is out, promote it. If you promote the show on social media, tag the show, the host, the producer, and any other guests who were on the show with you.

This information come from my own experience as the podcast host of Washington Square OnAir as well as information presented at the 2025 Association of Writers and Writing Programs in Los Angeles panel “Podcast Guesting: How to Get booked & Be a Great Guest” by Laura Davis, Harriett Jernigan, Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh, and Jia Rizvi.