Interviews – Joanne McCall Book Publicist

Prepared is Not the Same as Scripted

Joanne McCall — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:00:48 +0000

Once you have a clear point of view, the next question is: Can you say it clearly when it counts? (I wrote about developing a clear point of view last week right here.) This is where many very smart authors and experts get into trouble. They know their material and they definitely care about their message. In fact, they can talk about the subject for hours. But an interview is not hours…

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When Your Voice Undercuts Your Message

Joanne McCall — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:00:53 +0000

Have you ever been listening to an interview and finally had to click off, not because the topic was boring, but because the guest had a habit you couldn’t stop noticing? Maybe they talked so fast you felt yourself getting tense. Maybe every sentence ended like a question. Maybe they kept apologizing for taking up space. Maybe they laughed nervously after perfectly normal statements…

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Another Hidden Reason Smart People Sound Weak on Air

Joanne McCall — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:00:04 +0000

Last week we talked about hope, that quiet little strategy so many smart people bring into interviews without realizing it. Hoping you’ll be asked the right question. Hoping the host will guide you into your best material. Hoping the big takeaway will appear if you stay in it long enough. It doesn’t work, and if you missed it, you can read about it here. This week I want to go one level deeper…

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Hope Isn’t a Strategy. Clarity Is.

Joanne McCall — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:00:35 +0000

I watched an interview this week that had me leaning in, just waiting for something to land. You know that feeling when everything is in place? The host is good. The topic is solid and one you’re genuinely interested in. The guest has the bio, the book, the credentials. On paper, it looks like a great use of your time, and you’re looking forward to what is coming. And yet, minute after minute…

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Who’s Really Listening?

Joanne McCall — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:00:58 +0000

I once did a virtual interview where the host barely looked at me. Sometimes people look at the screen instead of directly into the camera, which is understandable. But in this case, it was clear he wasn’t paying attention to his guest (me). His eyes kept darting down at his notes, then off to the side. At one point, I wondered if he was already preparing for the next guest…or maybe even checking…

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Impostor Syndrome Is Costing You Interviews

Joanne McCall — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:00:16 +0000

We’ve covered four of the most common media mistakes authors make, and today we’re moving on to Mistake #5: Hiding from your own expertise. This one is sneaky. It shows up as waiting for permission, doubting yourself, and letting impostor syndrome call the shots. It doesn’t feel good. Here’s how it often plays out: An author comes to me with a strong book and years of experience in their field…

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Authors: Unlocking True Confidence for Media Success

Joanne McCall — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:00:43 +0000

She was exceptional at her work and delivered beautifully in interviews—better than most, in fact. Yet before every interview, she was consumed by nerves, to the point of developing IBS. This is not what we want. Confidence. It’s so necessary, yet elusive for many. Confidence grows from practice and from knowing yourself. The more interviews you do, the better you get, and the more confident…

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Surprise! That Did Not Just Happen

Joanne McCall — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 16:00:16 +0000

Who doesn’t love a surprise? Well, okay, maybe not every surprise. Some are best left out of the equation entirely — like finding out your mic is off halfway through an interview, or that unexpected tech glitch at the worst possible moment. But when it comes to book publicity and doing interviews, surprises are part of the deal. Being adaptable and rolling with the unexpected is a superpower you’…

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5 Things to Never Do In a Media Interview

Joanne McCall — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 16:00:55 +0000

Navigating the media landscape with finesse and confidence is an art form that can propel you, your book, and your brand to new heights. Helping authors to prepare for media interviews is something I am pretty good at having done it for many years now. Whether it is a first time author, or an author on their sixth book, there is a new message that must be crafted and then presented in a way that…

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More Things to Avoid Before and During a Media Interview

Joanne McCall — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:00:53 +0000

As a publicist and media trainer, my work involves helping authors develop their overall messages, hone their skills to become fantastic at influencing others, and then pitch and land media outlets for interviews. In fact, I am delighted to say that this past week has been quite successful for a number of reasons, including this story in INC Magazine featuring Kelly McDonald and her book How to…

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