Q: What inspired this book?  A: First of all, Leslie Knope wrote every single word of this book. Amy Poehler wrote zero. I didn't write it, but she did let me read it. Leslie thought it would be good for everyone in the whole U.S. to know how special Pawnee is.  Q: What's so special about Pawnee?  A: She thinks Pawnee represents the best of America. Look, she's not deluded. It goes like this: New York, Paris, London, Chicago, maybe Istanbul, and then Pawnee. The book is a celebration of one great small town and all the good things that are found there.  Q: The book was "Written, Compiled, Researched, Typed, Collated, Proofread, and Run through Spell Check" by Leslie. Why didn't she get any help?  A: One could say Leslie is not a very good delegator. She knows everything about Pawnee. It's her first and greatest love, and she is nothing if not thorough.  Q: It's no secret she wants to be the first female president of the United States. Did she write this book to further her political career?  A: At the end of the day, that's something for her and her therapist to figure out.  Q: Leslie is so darn cute. Can that help her sell books?  A: I don't know. I'll let you speak on her cuteness. I don't want to speak on behalf of her cuteness.  Q: Can you tell me about tonight's episode ofParks and Recreation, which is tied to Leslie's book?  A: It's a really great episode. Joan Callamezzo, played by the amazing Mo Collins, is the powerful daytime talk-show host in the town, and she has a thing called Joan's Book Club. And it has a sticker that is very important. If somebody gets it, it's like Oprah's, your book sells.  Q: I don't see the sticker on my copy of the book. What happened?  A: Leslie tries very hard to get Joan's book club sticker, and in the process, Joan calls her out on a fact in the book, finds something in the book that is misrepresented, and it's a shocker. Leslie is reeling about the fact that something in her book is wrong and Joan's withholding that book club sticker.  Q: There are so many tourist attractions listed in the book, from the raccoon shantytown to the mailbox tour to the local wig collection. What's your favorite?  A: All your late-night nightlife needs are met in Pawnee, although the big difference between Talent and Poise and the Glitter Factory (gentlemen's clubs) is that Talent and Poise is just a little bit nicer. The Glitter Factory is a real dump.  So I'd advise, if you're going to visit Pawnee, to stay away from the Glitter Factory.  Q: Aren't there two glitter factories in Pawnee?  A: Yes — one of them actually manufactures glitter and the other's a strip club. There's often a lot of confusion. Men come into the real factory during the day and try to put dollar bills down the factory workers' pants.  Q: Has there been any jealousy in the office about the attention Leslie is getting for her book?  A: No, I think everybody in the Parks department is just glad they didn't have to work on it.
Amy Poehler discusses the high points of a visit to Pawnee, Ind. and the difference between the town's two glitter factories.