SOLVED. Adult Fantasy. Low level English professor develops superpower to control colleagues. Set in Northwest U.S. [s]

[Valerie]

I read this book about 7 years ago. It could have been written around 2000. Adjunct english teacher in snooty competitive English department gets struck by lightning and becomes able to control people by touching them with his index finger. Hysterics ensue as he arranges to humiliate and overpower them while rapidly climbing the academic ladder in his own right. Clearly a spoof on some real University english Department.

[Kris]

Valerie, what's the genre (which we need to add to the topic header/title) - e.g., science fiction, fantasy, for adults or teens?

What's the location?

[Andy]

Sounds a bit like "Zotz!" (but probably not the same book) ZOTZ!

[Valerie]

Valerie wrote: "I read this book about 7 years ago. It could have been written around 2000. Adjunct english teacher in snooty competitive English department gets struck by lightning and becomes able to control peo..."

It's adult fantasy and I think it took place in the Northwest US. Some fictional university campus.

[Valerie]

Kris wrote: "Valerie, what's the genre (which we need to add to the topic header/title) - e.g., science fiction, fantasy, for adults or teens?

What's the location?"

Wow--Zotz was a really good guess! It has a lot in common with the book I'm looking for.

[Kris]

Thanks. I updated the topic header/title. Feel free to edit it.

[Valerie]

Found it! It's The Lecturer's Tale. By James Hynes. 2002

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Valerie. Here's the link - The Lecturer's Tale by James Hynes.