Tracy Beckerman Interview – Barking at the Moon

I’m so excited to share my author interview with Tracy Beckerman on her latest humorous book, Barking at the Moon. Prepare to fall in love with Riley, her incredibly loveable pup and her very relatable family.

Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you get the first time a new puppy moves in? A tail-wagging-face-licking-bundle-of-joy makes us happy. Did you know that 93% of folks believe our canine friends make us better people? Who else makes you feel loved from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep?

During the pandemic, our sweet Stanley, a 20-lb white furball, kept me company. A friend to snuggle with and help with the loneliness during quarantine. He followed me everywhere, showing affection by resting his paw on my thigh or wagging his tail whenever I walked by. I laughed at the way he’d dive across the room for Cheerios and bark at the television whenever a dog made an appearance.

Tracy Beckerman’s newest book, Barking At the Moon, is the perfect reminder that laughter is good for the soul and dogs make everything better!

Enjoy my interview with Tracy Beckerman. Discover more about her book, raising kids and burping.

Tracy Beckerman Interview – Barking at the Moon

Stacey: When did you know you had to write Barking at the Moon?

Tracy: At the beginning of the pandemic when we were all isolating, I realized how great it was to have a dog around to keep me company (the dog spent significantly less time in the bathroom than my husband did). I also realized how important it was to find things to laugh at every day. One day I just had the epiphany that I should write about raising my kids and our dog and all the funny things that happened during those years. Not only did it make me laugh writing it, it also brought a lot of laughter to those who read it.

Stacey: What’s the funniest part about raising a puppy?

Tracy: Puppies are just inherently funny. Even when they do something they shouldn’t, you have to laugh because they are the most innocent looking criminals. I think they actually make puppies so cute so you don’t immediately give them back when they chew the moldings off your walls, shred your pillows, eat your socks… well you get the idea.

When our dog Riley was a puppy, I barred him from the kitchen where I was laying a new cement subfloor. He decided I must be lonely because he jumped the gate, ran through the wet cement, rolled in the wet cement, jumped back over the gate, through the house, across the new rug, up the stairs, and across the new duvet cover on my bed. I have to admit, it wasn’t so funny at the time. But years later, I still laugh at the image of him streaking though the house like a cement-covered dog missile.

The Beckerman Boys

Stacey: Your family had lots of pets. What did Riley think of the chinchilla? Bearded dragon?

Tracy: Riley never noticed the bearded dragon because he was in a tank and moved pretty slowly. However, I’m pretty sure the first time he saw the chinchilla the first thing that ran though his mind was, “SQUIRREL!”  There was a whole lot of barking (Riley) and hissing (the chinchilla) for a long time until they reached some kind of pet détente. I’m pretty sure they realized there was power in numbers and if the time came when they wanted to overthrow the kitchen, two pets were better than one.

Stacey: If someone offered you a million dollars, would you trade the kids or Riley?

Tracy: Could I trade both?

Stacey: What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

Tracy: The ending. I can’t say why, because, you know, spoiler alert, so I’ll just leave it at that.

Stacey: Why will people want to read your book?

Tracy: If you have a dog, you will love this book. If you have kids, you will love this book. If you have kids and a dog, well, you definitely need a good distraction from having kids and a dog. Readers tell me they could completely relate to the antics that went on in our house, even if they didn’t have a Dogzilla, like we did. Cat owners, maybe not as much… Although they could certainly read this book and then feel superior for choosing to get a cat instead of a dog.

Tracy Beckerman and her latest pup.

Stacey: Can you give us a sneak peek of what you’re writing next?

Tracy: I’ve written a syndicated humor column called, “Lost in Suburbia” for twenty years. It was the basis for my previous book, “Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir.” The column and the book were all about being a young mom, in the suburbs, and all the ridiculous, funny things that happen every day that other young moms could relate to… like being stopped by a cop while you’re driving in your bathrobe, and having your three-year old daughter inform an entire supermarket that you have cellulite.

Eventually the kids grew up, and moved out and I became an empty-nester, so now I am Lost in Midlife, which is the title of my next book. It’s all about adjusting to the indignities of aging – like how the hair stops growing on your legs and starts growing out of your chin – and facing those changes with laughter.

Stacey: What’s your hidden talent?

Tracy: I can burp the alphabet. This is one of the more important things you learn when you grow up with brothers.

Want more excerpts and interviews for Barking at the Moon? Check out more witty woman!

Who is Tracy Beckerman?

TRACY BECKERMAN is an award-winning author, speaker, and syndicated humor columnist who has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and Good Day New York. Her numerous honors for writing include the prestigious Writer’s Guild of America award, an Erma Bombeck Writer’s award, and a New York Emmy®.