LOTTERY, live from Seattle
Sunday, August 12, 2007 
I was planning on coming out to the Emerald City in August, but I expedited the trip and popped right over when I found out Patricia Wood was speaking and signing at the Elliot Bay Book Company this weekend (the finest independent book store in Seattle, by the way). Not only would I be able to get my photos done during Seattle's razor-thin margin of summer, but I'd be able to meet Pat, give her a hug and wish her all the best.
When my lowly quest for agent representation suddenly became a feeding frenzy, the all-knowing M.G. Tarquini put me in touch with Pat--whose book blew up overnight. Pat walked me through her path to being published and I sincerely appreciated her time and candor.
On top of that, and beyond the fact that LOTTERY is on its way to bestseller lists nationwide, Pat is a hilarious and entertaining speaker. If her book tour comes to your neck of the literary woods, by all means stop in and say Aloha (Pat lives in Honolulu on a sailboat).
And if you haven't heard of LOTTERY (maybe you missed the articles in USA Today, New York Magazine, Redbook), the first line of her book goes like this: "My name is Perry L. Crandall and I am not retarded." In her talk she discussed how some critics were less than enthusiastic with the POV of her main character being a man with an IQ of 76 (technically not retarded, but you know what I mean). Those critics missed the essence of the book. Completely.
So it was good to hear of Pat's success and perseverance. Of her maintaining her vision, despite being a wide-eyed new author. I felt the same pressure when a few agents and editors had problems with my main character's voice (he's 12 years old). They loved the innocence and sweetness, but wanted to make him older--like 18. I don't know too many sweet 18-year olds, but I do know an author who stuck to her guns and has a future bestseller to show for it.
How sweet is that?
Patricia Wood, me and a whole lotta books
