Experts predict that recent shake-ups in the radio industry will cause the popularity of talk radio to soar to never-before-reached heights.  Recent technological breakthroughs like the iPod, mp3s, and satellite radio have changed the way that consumers listen to music.  As a result, uncertainty in the radio industry is causing many stations to re-think their formats, with the trend moving to talk.  Program managers at FM stations all over the country are replacing music programming with all-talk formats, resulting in an explosion of talk radio shows.  This talk invasion on FM radio will introduce droves of new listeners to the talk format.

Satellite radio will also have a profound affect on the world of talk radio as Howard Stern moves his wildly popular terrestrial radio show over to satellite radio.  The move is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of new subscribers to satellite radio and opening up a new chapter in the history of talk radio.  The soon-to-be fierce competition between satellite and terrestrial radio will result in better and more compelling talk radio that will likely expand its audience exponentially.
So what does this surge in popularity of FM talk radio and satellite talk radio mean to the publishing industry?  It demonstrates what a viable promotional vehicle talk radio is for book promotion.  With the increasing number of talk shows, there will be more opportunities for authors to get on the air and talking about their books.  And with talk radio exploding across satellite radio and the FM dial, there will be hordes of new listeners, searching for the "next big thing."

Authors and publishers have always known that terrestrial talk radio is a great place to promote books, but the increase of FM talk and the introduction of satellite radio has raised it to a whole new level.  Satellite radio has opened up a whole new world of untapped potential for authors looking to get more exposure for their books.  This burgeoning medium is a virtual goldmine of publicity, just waiting to be taken advantage of.  Opportunity is knocking.  Now is a good time for authors and publishers to answer that door.

You know you have to alert the public about your book, but you may not have any idea how to get started.

Having been in the book publicity business for almost two decades, we know a thing or two about generating media attention for books.  As many bestselling authors will tell you, talk radio is one of the best and most cost-efficient vehicles to get your message out to consumers.  But, with different firms out there competing for your business, how do you choose the right one?  What factors should you look for and which are the most important?

► Experience.  How important is experience?  Very.    You need to employ a company who has had years of experience promoting books.

  In the field of PR, book promotion is a very exact specialty.  A skilled publicist employs a myriad of tools in order to obtain media interviews - and it can all look and seem very simple, but that's only because their skills have been honed to perfection.  A skilled firm knows how to develop an angle from your book that will get you the most media mileage.  They will know how to write an effective press release that stands out from all the rest.  And most importantly, they give producers everything they need to book a show.  These will all help ensure that you get a number of quality media placements.

 ► Quality Markets.  In what markets will you be heard?  Always check on the caliber of markets you're being scheduled to appear in.  If you're paying a firm to obtain media interviews for you, you don't want to be booked in markets smaller than top 100.  There's no question that stations in smaller markets have value, but you don't need to pay top dollar for someone to arrange it for you.

► Quality Stations.  What caliber of stations will your interviews take place on?  The criteria we use for booking interviews is nothing less than 5,000 watts or above on the AM dial.  In every market you'll find high-powered and low-powered stations.  Obviously, the more power a station has, the more people will be listening in.  So, if you're paying for media interviews, your best return on investment will be appearing as a guest on the higher-powered stations.  

► Expediency.   How long will it take to get your campaign in motion?  Make sure that your publicity firm is on the same page as you and your timeframe.  There is always a certain amount of prep work needed before a media campaign can advance.  In the planning stage, always make sure that your timeframe is taken into consideration by the publicity firm you are working with.

► Guarantee.  What sort of guarantee is in place?  How do you know you will get your money's worth? Search out those publicity firms that offer some kind of a guarantee.  Unlike PR firms in other industries, there are those dealing in the publishing business that will work on a performance basis.  Take advantage of this opportunity to get your money's worth. Companies that work based on performance are always going to work harder to get you on the best shows.  

► Price.  How much is it all going to cost you?  For many of you, this is the most important factor of all.  There is certainly a great value to doing interviews on talk radio.  It is a fantastic and cost-efficient way to promote your book.  You can promote your book to thousands and thousands of people without breaking the bank.

 Clean fresh water  and  humility

COMMENTS ON SUDAN CRISIS

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h1>Make Sudan an Offer It Can’t Refuse

As Sudan brazenly defies the world’s wishes, and the death toll closes upon half a million, the pity is that the people of Darfur can in fact be saved.
This is the type of military logic that got the United States in trouble in Iraq. Sure, the projection of United States air power could destroy the Sudanese military, and perhaps even lead to the collapse of the regime. But what would happen after that? Who and what would deal with the potential anarchy?

— Tony Waters, Germany

When, oh when, is the United States going to take its self righteousness about which moral problem, as they define it, they choose to "ameliorate" off the table. And which is the next "dictator" or country the US chooses to "stabilise".

The rest of the world generally cringes when the US "helps".

The world would be much better off if you take your money, your morals, your troops and your helpers home and stay there. Your own economy might be better too.

Ask Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Nicaraugua, Salvador, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Salvador, Iraq, etc. and a host of others who have refugees in the hundreds of thousands as a result of the internal effects after the US "helps" or invades the country concerned... and to put it politely, the opinions are less than satisfactory.

Try doing nothing for a change. It may help.

TP. Whasington