“Publishing a book is fun.”

This is what I mumbled to myself when I woke up in time to be alert and engaging for an 8am interview. It’s what I muttered to myself while navigating O’Hare while hauling 8 hardcovers in my backpack with an oversized book cover, rolled, packed, and weighing down one shoulder. This is also a bit of a mantra I’ve murmured while staring at my own image in a Zoom window and trying not to obsess over the different sizes of my eyes, this new wrinkle or blemish, and the mystery of which direction this conversation will tack while waiting for my mystery interviewer to appear. 

But it really is fun…at least, it has been for this first-timer. I didn’t really know what to expect–perhaps my most outrageous fantasy tapped into the origin story of Jessica Fletcher, a schoolteacher whose grief spurred a writing career that turned her into an overnight celebrity. I was picturing myself on one of her many grueling book tours or international authors exchanges (devices the show’s writers frequently used to justify Jessica’s travels to otherwise inexplicable destinations, from Hong Kong and Moscow to Cairo and Honolulu). Doesn’t everyone see their lives reflected in Murder, She Wrote? 

My nightmares about publishing a book didn’t get quite as dark as a murder with every appearance, but I worried about interviewers being bored with me or uninterested in my book (some old fears never go away), or about them being bad at their job (as a Virgo and former teacher, I’m perhaps a bit critical of others’ interviewing capacities). Worst of all, I worried about being stumped by a question. Do I have a coherent position on peace in the Middle East? What if they ask…? Ok, I know no one is pursuing my opinions on geopolitics, but I hate to be surprised…and I hate even more being unable to articulate a thoughtful, witty, and/or cutting insight.

So far, my fears haven’t been founded (though I have been a bit disappointed in retrospect with a few answers), but neither have my dreams. And that’s what’s made it so fun. I’ve had…I actually don’t know how many conversations with hosts of podcasts, YouTube channels, and radio shows, from first timers (I’m literally about to be someone’s first guest) to seasoned interviewers on shows with devoted followings. Though I’ve encountered a range of familiarity (like, who has read the book, who has read my publicist’s talking points, who has read the schedule wrong and has no idea who I am), every conversation is a gift. Especially considering the state of the world, I treasure any chance to talk to total strangers who are actually interested in meaningful conversation, and when I think about the maybe handful or thousands of listeners who might tap into these conversations, I’m grateful. If you want to hear any of these interviews, I’ve started a playlist on Spotify that collates episodes with me. I’ve also started a playlist on YouTube. Feel free to check them out or to follow to hear new episodes as they come out.

Now, whether this is all translating into book sales, I don’t know. I’m not a scientist. Actually, I just don’t know how to read complicated spreadsheets, and I am comfortable with that limitation. While I never started this project to garner attention or profits, it is nice to know how the book is resonating with readers. If you’ve read it, I’d appreciate an honest rating or even a review on Amazon, goodreads, or wherever you review books. I’d also love to hear from you directly–what resonated? What didn’t? When you think about the relationships and experiences that shaped you, that gave you language to understand yourself and the world you’re navigating, what comes to the surface? Send me an email, DM me, if you’re nearby let’s get a cup of coffee., or if you don’t want to connect with me, connect with someone. Tell each other about the experiences and relationships that shaped you. Talk about the things that gave you language to understand yourself, where you first yourself reflected. Tap into each other’s joy and share a laugh at the things that delight you.