Ann Patchett Lecture

[Mary Anne]

Ann Patchett was in Pittsburgh tonight. She really knows how to give an engaging talk. She started by talking about the work, as opposed to the creativity, of writing. She really made us feel that she is a writing work horse, and attributes her success to having a common sense approach. For example, she told a story about how she was submitting her first book, and when she was copying the final document, and on a deadline, she realized that the last 20 pages were missing. But she did the only thing she could think to do, i.e. sit down at the nearest IBM typewriter and write 20 new pages on the spot. Very practical. No hysterics.

She also talked about the opening of her new bookstore in Nashville, her hometown. She said that there had been two book stores in Nashville, but by the time her latest book, State of Wonder, was published, both of those stores were closed. Two of her favorite shops, one a framer and the other a stitchery store, both asked for copies of her book for sale. And that was going to be the only way her book could get sold in her hometown. With the help of a business partner, she opened the store last week. She says that the response has been overwhelming. She points out that 50% of the sales of State of Wonder are eBooks, and 50% hardbacks - which amounts to a lot of books. So she feels justified in thinking that an indie bookstore can make it.

[Roxanne]

I would have loved to hear this talk by her. State of Wonder definitely has the feeling of having been "worked on" and not just spit out so to speak.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

I saw Patchett in Milwaukee during her book signing for Bel Canto. It was pretty early on and I think only eight people showed up. I loved it, though, since everyone got personal attention. She is definitely a very personable down-to-earth person. I try to read everything she's written. She's one of the writers that I buy hard copies of her new books.

I think that's great about her book shop. I hope it's successful. It would be nice to see the pendulum swing the other way. Thanks, MAP, for telling us about this.

[Roxanne]

Yes, thanks MAP. If I ever get to Nashville her shop will be one of my destinations for sure.
Sherry, have you read State of Wonder yet?

[Sherry, Doyenne]

No, I'm saving it for the discussion.

[Book Concierge]

I've read Run and Bel Canto. Preferred the latter to the former, but both were good literary fiction. I have State of Wonder, though I haven't gotten to it yet.

[Mary Anne]

One of the Q & A questioners asked a question that was a major spoiler for State of Wonder. I'll have to put it out of mind when I read the book. Patchett was a bit peeved.

[Roxanne]

Bummer. It would be easy to have a spoiler for her book as the plot unwinds very purposefully - pretty suspenseful in a non-thriller sort of way. Hard to describe.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

There's always got to be a know-it-all there to show how in-the-loop they are. I'm glad Patchett was peeved. Very thoughtless.

[Book Concierge]

Sherry wrote: "There's always got to be a know-it-all there to show how in-the-loop they are. I'm glad Patchett was peeved. Very thoughtless."

Some people are totally clueless. I attended an author event once where the author first asked for a show of hands on who had read the book already. It was a fairly new release; maybe out for only a week when the event took place. Only about a third of the audience had read it. So the author specifically stated "NO spoilers in the Q&A." The first person who stood up asked (NOTE I am making UP this question just for illustration purposes ... ) - "Why did Melanie kill her baby?" There was a huge groan from the audience and the woman just looked around in total surprise and said, "What?" Totally clueless.

[Jane]

I would love to hear Ann Patchett speak. Felix Miller tells a good story about Patchett. He was attending a book festival and he struck up a conversation with a woman standing near him. They discussed books and Felix talked about authors that he wanted to hear speak. He asked her whom she wanted to hear, and she said that she was actually there to speak. It was Ann Patchett before she was very well known. He felt somewhat embarrassed but she was very kind about it.

[Mary Anne]

She actually told a story about diligently going to all of those book talks at all the indie book stores over the years. Part of her reason for opening a book store was to give back to the community of book stores that hosted her when she wasn't famous.