This was a wonderful interview. Greatest, charming host, lively conversation… 30 powerful minutes you won’t regret listening to!
On the website, scroll down to ‘previous episodes’. Select Episode 29. The interview with me begins at -31min and 30sec. So it’ll be the last 30min of this episode. Have fun and let me know what you think!
What an eclectic mix on my interview menu in London this week!
On Tuesday, I had a lovely chat with Rosie Hopgood from the Sunday Mirror. We met at the London Aquarium, enchanted by the many sharks and stingrays circling us lazily while we talked.
Wednesday morning started out with a pre-recording for the “Global Village” show of Newstalk Radio Ireland. Aoife Breen was a pleasure to connect with. After the energetic radio interview breakfast, I went on to a journalistic lunch. Back under the watchful London Eye, I met with the fabulous Nick Hoare from Gay Times. We chatted for a long time and it was a true pleasure!
Thursday morning, I was up early to go to yet another promising on air breakfast. I went to the BBC studios in London for a live link-up with BBC Leicester. Great and fitting to have this opportunity, since my publisher is based in Leicester. The 20 min interview with Jonathan Lampon was in-depth and refreshing. I did find myself giggling uncontrollably when I left the studio however. All had gone so well until our goodbyes when Jonathan asked me to pop into the studio sometime for a visit, and wished me well. I had started stuttering on air, “Thanks… ahem… b… bye… I make… I’ll make sure to do that.” It was very funny. I’m still ages away from being the suave, routined interviewee. But then that’s ok. I’m enjoying how new and exhilarating every single media experience is, and I am sure my listeners can feel my honest and genuine enthusiasm.
Thursday evening was the highlight of my media buffet. I was invited to chat with Lizzie Cundy on Radio FUBAR. My flight out of London was booked for that evening but I had made a last minute decision and changed my flight home to Friday instead to be able to honour the invitation. It was the best decision. The interview was extensive. Lizzie was open-minded, positively beaming, and an immensely charming host. It was the first radio interview during which I was also able to talk more in-depth about my teenage experiences, my adoption, travels and many other elements of my life journey. Our talk was truly not just transgender and very much reflected the positive, diverse nature of my book.
Overall a week to be remembered. I’m leaving London enriched, bursting with new impressions and experiences. It was a true privilege to meet this broad spectrum of dedicated, compassionate media professionals!
When my wife and I arrived in London one week ago, we hit the ground running. As soon as we touched down, we sprinted to the studios of Talk Radio London for my first radio interview ever.
I was all nerves but adapted quickly.
We then spent a lovely weekend with old friends, exploring corners off the beaten track and feasting on international delicacies until we felt close to bursting.
On Monday, the 11th, I attended a workshop from The Author School. The day was a fireworks of great advice, inspiration, and an abundance of good-humoured conversation with fellow authors.
This was followed by a marvellous second radio interview on Tuesday – this time with BBC Radio Ulster. Unfortunately not all parts of the pre-recorded interview were aired on the Arts Show that same evening. Marie-Louise Muir quoted some wonderful passages from Paralian. But even though what she said was in effect far better than my comments, the studio decided to keep my input rather than hers. I’m honoured, yet I do regret our listeners not having a chance to listen to Marie-Louise’s smart and compassionate insights as well.
My short visit to London Book Fair convinced me of letting it go for this year. Instead of exhausting myself while facing rejection after rejection, I opted for the joy of the moment and for living life to the fullest. So my spirited soul mate and I ventured into the creative land of MUSE. Their concert at the Millennium Dome rejuvenated and energised us to a point where we still find ourselves humming “they will not control us, we will be victorious” five days later.
Other discoveries proved to be just as enchanting: The land of Vietnamese pho in London’s Chinatown. And a trip through the land of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. studios. J.K. Rowling’s quote “No story lives unless someone wants to listen” in the tour entry hall made my heart skip a beat and set my pulse to a marathon runner’s speed. Thus engaged, the love and detail that went into every element of bringing Rowling’s Potter books to the big screen touched every fibre of my being. Especially standing in front of this 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts Castle gave me several lifetimes’ worth of energy to keep following my dreams.
Then, on Thursday, BCG London opened their doors for me to present Paralian. I am still touched by the warm welcome my wife and I received and by their genuine support. If this is how every book reading will be then I want to give thousands of them.
On Friday, sadly, it was time to leave.
What an unforgettable, successful first week of book promotion though. A week of happiness and content – professionally as well as personally. I am looking forward to heading back to my ‘United Kingdom of Literary Adventures’ beginning of June!
Paralian will be launching on May 28, 2016. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith, Apple ibooks store, and Troubador.
Yesterday I had the honour to become an active part of the respected BBC Radio Ulster Arts Show. Marie-Louise Muir and I had an inspiring, in-depth chat. Her questions were informed, smart, compassionate, and to the point. It was a real pleasure and I’m delighted to be able to share the link to the interview with you. It’s just 10min, so don’t be shy and listen in. It’s just 10min, so don’t be shy and listen in 🙂
A friend of mine – in Berlin no less – alerted me to the link through which you can re-visit the radio interview I gave on Friday for Talk Radio London. Just click on 18:00-18:30, then fast-forward a little. A few minutes in you’ll find me talking to Yasmeen Khan. Turn up the volume. I was tad bit too soft-spoken I guess 🙂
Liam Klenk 