Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it...

Okay, it’s obvious anyway so I might as well admit it… I’m a publicity hound. I love talking about Water Cooler Diaries. On the radio. To newspaper and magazine reporters. To poor defenseless browsers at the bookstore, with whom I can’t help but strike up a conversation about this fabulous new book that’s just come out about working women across America…

The past few weeks have been great, meaning I’ve had lots and lots of opportunities to publicize Water Cooler Diaries. One of the interviews was with Lisa Belkin on her talk show on XM Satellite Radio. Lisa has written New York Times columns and a book on the subject of life-work balance. After we finished our “live to tape” interview, Lisa told me how she actually had to answer a text message from her son while we were recording the show, something about him needing a ride. That story alone reveals why Lisa is an expert in the realities of modern motherhood.

I also got to chat about Water Cooler Diaries with Lolis Garcia-Baab, whose radio show “The Ladies Room with Lolis” airs in El Paso and Austin. Lolis invited me and another day diarist, Angela Dugan, (a professional doll sculptor who makes incredibly life-like baby dolls) to join her for the whole hour of the show. In truth, the three of us could have gabbed all day about women and work, kids, our hubbies, sleep deprivation… Actually, Lolis and Angela could have gabbed all day in two languages, given that they’re both bilingual.

And then there was my interview with a reporter for a weekly community newspaper. As is sometimes the case, this young writer clearly hadn’t read or even seen the cover of Water Cooler Diaries, since her initial question to me was, “How do you spell your first name.” (For the record it’s J…O…N…I). This reporter was doing me a kindness though, writing an article about the book, and given that she probably gets paid in copies, I appreciate her taking the time.

And then there was my 6:40 a.m. phone interview with Dr. Alvin Augustus Jones on the Paradise Radio Network in Oxford, North Carolina. I have a thing for men with Southern accents, so just hearing the way he told his listeners I was an author from Virr-mont made me blush in my flannel jammies. (Remember, this was a phone interview first thing in the morning.) Alvin is a real pro; he’s done countless interviews with famous people. In fact, his show’s tag line is, Where World Leaders and Thinkers Come to Chat. So even though I was only on the air with him for about seven minutes, I’ve now added that to my credentials.

Given all the advantages of doing publicity—I get to have conversations with interesting people across the country, plug my book, feel popular and important—it’s no wonder I’m a publicity hound. Which reminds me... If you’re reading this and just happen to be a radio or television talk show host, or a newspaper or magazine reporter from the legitimate press, or even a hack or a bored blogger whose tired of posting pictures of your cat, how about giving me a call? My contact info is below.

Joni B. Cole, World Leader and Thinker. (That’s J…O…N…I).