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Need some advice? Ann Cannon talks books, bacon and former BYU Coach LaVell Edwards at upcoming Trib Talk Live

( Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune ) Salt Lake Tribune staff portrait of Ann Cannon.

Whether describing her fear of cows at night or the value of family beach time, Salt Lake Tribune columnist and celebrated author Ann Cannon has enchanted readers with her wit and wisdom for years.

Now she’s published a collection of her favorite Tribune columns — just in time for Father’s Day — as a tribute to friendship, travel and her beloved father, legendary Brigham Young University football coach LaVell Edwards, who died in December 2016.

Cannon will be the guest of honor at a book signing of “I’ll Tell You What...” on The Tribune’s panoramic patio, and you’re invited. Here’s a sneak peek of our upcoming Q&A:

You write a lot about your family, especially your parents, husband and five boys. How did you get them all to go along with your openness? What’s out of bounds for them?

Well, it helped that my sons never read what I write, so I was pretty safe on that front. My parents and my husband, on the other hand, are more aware of the fact that they show up in my columns a lot. I have to give them credit for being REALLY good sports. They don’t take themselves too seriously, so that makes it easier for me to exploit them, right? I will say this: Whenever I feel uneasy about sharing something — which isn’t often — I ask permission. And then I respect their wishes.

It’s clear from your book that you adore your father, and you’ve written a few extra memories about him. Do you have a favorite?

I lucked out in the Dad Department, for sure. That was just dumb luck. I didn’t deserve a good father any more than a kid deserves a bad father. But yes. I always loved my dad and looked up to him in all kinds of ways. One of the extra memories I include about him is about the time he introduced me — I was about 9 years old at the time — to a future player of his whose family was in show business there in Los Angeles. Much to my surprise, my father told this player I wanted to be a movie star when I grew up. The essay grows out of that moment.

You added a new persona to your writing about a year ago. What’s the best part of being an advice columnist? What’s the hardest part?

The best part? SOMEBODY ACTUALLY WANTS MY ADVICE! Because you know how it is — your family certainly never does. The hardest part? Knowing that some letter writers need more help than I’m qualified to give.

A conversation and book signing with Ann Cannon<br>”I’ll Tell You What...” features some of Cannon’s favorite Tribune columns along with memories of her father, Coach LaVell Edwards.<br>When • Wednesday, June 13, 7 p.m. Patio opens at 6:30 p.m.<br>Where • The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700<br>Tickets • $20, includes a copy of the book and light refreshments; https://purchase.growtix.com/e/ill_tell_you_what