I went on my first podcast before publishing my first novel.
And no, I wasn't discovered by a producer who somehow stumbled across my writing and decided I was exactly what their audience needed.
I applied.
Which is admittedly less cinematic, but probably a lot more useful if you're a writer, poet, or creative who's been wondering how people actually end up getting interviewed on podcasts.
My first interview was with Present Poetry, where I had the opportunity to talk about my writing and poetry.
It was an exciting experience, especially because I'm still building my writing career. I don't have a traditionally published novel or some enormous audience that automatically opens doors.
What I did have was work I cared about, experiences I could talk about, and a willingness to put myself forward.
Here's what I'd suggest if you're hoping to do something similar.
Do You Need to Be a Published Author to Be a Podcast Guest?
Not necessarily.
Some podcasts primarily interview established authors, industry professionals, or people with specific credentials. Others are interested in emerging voices, independent creatives, poets, and people with compelling experiences.
The important part is finding shows where your work and perspective genuinely fit.
A podcast about poetry might be interested in someone actively writing and sharing poetry. A show about the creative process might be interested in an aspiring novelist balancing a full-time job with their writing.
You don't have to pretend you're further along in your career than you are.
You do need to be able to explain why your perspective would make an interesting conversation.
Step 1: Look for Podcasts That Actually Fit Your Work
I would start with your subject matter rather than searching for any podcast willing to have a guest.
If you're a poet, look for poetry podcasts.
If you write fiction, explore shows that interview authors or discuss the writing process.
If your work focuses on a particular genre, look for podcasts whose listeners are already interested in it.
Pay attention to the guests they've featured previously.
Do they interview emerging writers? Do they have conversations about craft, personal experiences, or creative projects? Would you genuinely enjoy listening to the show?
Those questions matter more than simply finding the biggest audience.
Step 2: Check Whether They Accept Guest Applications
This is the part I wish more emerging creatives knew to look for.
Some podcasts have a guest application form, submission page, or contact information for prospective interviewees.
You may not have to wait for an invitation.
My opportunity with Present Poetry came from applying myself.
[Add how you discovered Present Poetry and whether you completed a form, submitted writing samples, or answered specific questions.]
If you're researching potential shows, check their websites, episode descriptions, and social media profiles for information about guest submissions.
And if a show doesn't publicly accept applications, respect that. Not every podcast is looking for unsolicited pitches.
Step 3: Give Them a Reason to Talk to You
If you're applying to be a podcast guest, don't make your entire pitch about wanting exposure.
Think about the conversation you could offer their listeners.
What are you working on? What have you experienced? What questions could you help explore?
For me, writing and poetry were the natural subjects of the conversation.
For another emerging writer, it might be finishing a first manuscript, navigating rejection, building a creative practice, or experimenting with a particular form of storytelling.
You don't need to manufacture expertise.
You just need to be specific about what you can genuinely discuss.
Step 4: Make the Application Easy to Understand
A good guest application should make it easy for someone to understand who you are and why you fit their show.
Depending on what the podcast requests, you may want to include:
A brief introduction to yourself and your writing.
The type of work you create.
Two or three potential conversation topics.
Relevant writing samples, published pieces, or a portfolio link.
Your website or social media accounts, if requested.
Keep it relevant and accurate.
Being an emerging writer isn't something you need to hide behind vague language about being an industry expert.
Step 5: Prepare for the Conversation, Not a Performance
Once an interview is scheduled, it's tempting to worry about sounding polished enough.
But a podcast is a conversation.
Before my interview, I thought about my writing, my poetry, and the experiences I wanted to be able to discuss.
[Add one detail about how you prepared and one thing that surprised you during the interview.]
I'd recommend listening to a few episodes of the show, reviewing any questions or topics the host sends you, and thinking through a handful of stories that illustrate your experience.
You don't need to memorize an entire speech.
In fact, that might make things considerably more awkward.
What My First Podcast Interview Taught Me
The biggest takeaway wasn't that I suddenly felt like I'd made it as a writer.
I haven't.
It was that I didn't need to wait for some imaginary future version of myself to pursue an opportunity that interested me.
I could apply as the writer I am now.
That doesn't mean every podcast will say yes. It doesn't mean every application will be the right fit.
But it does mean that being unpublished isn't automatically a reason to rule yourself out.
If you're a writer, poet, or creative who's wanted to be interviewed, start by finding a handful of relevant shows and learning how they select guests.
You might be surprised by which opportunities are actually open to you.
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