Famed Phoenix columnist Laurie Notaro to dish on new collection of short stories with Books & Co.

New York Times best-selling author and former weekly columnist for The Rep, to share new comedic collection of short stories on Eight, Arizona PBS June 30

PHOENIX — (June 3, 2013) Eight, Arizona PBS program Books & Co. will feature former Phoenix columnist turned best-selling author Laurie Notaro, discussing the release of her new book The Potty Mouth at the Table with host Alberto Rios, June 30 at 2:30 p.m. The New York Times best-selling author will entice readers in the Valley with her fresh collection of short stories she calls “blood-pumping, heart-warming, spine-tingling.” Notaro will chat with Rios on her journey as a writer, from student journalist at Arizona State University and writing for arty alternative publications Java and Planet Magazine, to her success as an author for “idiot girls” everywhere. The segment follows the launch of Notaro’s “I’m Maxxing out My Visa to Come See You!” book tour that began in Phoenix May 7.

Books & Co. will highlight excerpts from The Potty Mouth at the Table, which features Notaro’s misadventures with illegal immigration, Nazi ballet, and public vomiting – and her wildly amusing portrayal of life, which has entertained Phoenix readers for years. Notaro will discuss her passion for writing, which led to the publication of two novels and eight collections of short stories. Notaro, who is originally from New York and blames her quirky personality on the Arizona sun, became a weekly must-read across Phoenix when she wrote for The Rep. Her witty and unique writing voice eventually led to her career as an author, and Notaro remains a Valley-wide writing celebrity.

She still considers Phoenix her winter home, and herself a Phoenician. Currently residing in Eugene, Oregon, Notaro warns that too much time in that rainy state could cause one to become a “bog person.” Consequently, she returns to Arizona monthly to satisfy her Mexican food jones (noting that “Mexicans apparently didn’t make it as far north as Oregon,” and that what passes for Mexican food up there includes ingredients such as broccoli, cauliflower and American cheese – “it’s repugnant,” she jeers), visit family and contribute an occasional guest column to the Phoenix New Times. This is Notaro’s second appearance on Books & Co., and she admits to having a bit of a “writer’s crush” on host Rios.

Viewers can enjoy new episodes of Books & Co. Sundays at 2:30 p.m. on Eight, Arizona PBS. Books & Co. is an Eight original production made possible by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University.