If Oprah calls you the first week your book is out, don't go. You'll need to get plenty of practice in front of the mirror, in front of your spouse, on the air so you can knock their socks off. Know your host and the show. There are two keys to being a successful talk show guest. You have to recognize your host's style and be flexible.
Some hosts are crazy, loose, and fun.
Others are very controlled. You have to go on the right shows for your personality style. And you need to be flexible if a host gets stuck on point number two of your list of five things you want to cover. I do interviews anytime of the day or night. 7 a.m. drive time on the East Coast is 4 a.m. my time.