Blog Posts for James Patterson

Your Kid Can Fly!

James Patterson — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:21:58 -0800

James has the SECRET to getting your kids reading and loving it. You tell me in letters and emails that your kids won't read but, before you give up on them, take a look at my series, Maximum Ride. It's about five kids who can FLY. I wrote it for all of you, but I especially had your kids in mind.Here's my promise to you: AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE READING ALEX CROSS AND THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB, YOUR ...

Turning Those Pages

James Patterson — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:23:26 -0700

Well we're starting to make a little noise here, anyhow. A publishing industry magazine noticed both the RIF funding issue and the blog entry I did the other week. I hope some more folks do, too. I frankly can't imagine many better ways for our tax dollars to be spent than getting kids reading. Talk about investing in our nation's future. Speaking of which, please stop by ...

The Excitement of Reading

James Patterson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:16:47 -0700

People frequently ask me why I keep going. I mean I already have more #1 bestsellers than any other person ever has. So why do I keep writing books? Why do I bother doing a blog about how important it is for us to get our kids reading? Why do I speak to parents, teachers, booksellers and librarians around the country? Why am I working at setting up a website to help parents find the right books ...

What's on your bookshelf?

James Patterson — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:47:22 -0700

Like in this recent, popular, New York Times piece, there’s been some press lately about how important books are as a means of identifying people with similar interests and attitudes. With these new “bookshelf” applications in Facebook (as I mentioned a few weeks back), and other places, books are clearly—even in this digital age—remaining a social touchstone." Some of it is of ...

Join the Flock!

James Patterson — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:40:58 -0700

For any of you who think being a bestselling author sounds glamorous, I’d like to point out that it’s not all black-tie award ceremonies and limousines. Actually, even for the annual formal event or two that the publishing event still puts on—at least of the ones I’m invited to—I prefer driving myself. And there’s nothing I dislike more than dressing up in monkey suits, as folks used ...

Saving the Fundamentals

James Patterson — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:42:48 -0700

This week I'd like to refer you to a letter I received from the President of First Book: Dear Jim, Reading is Fundamental (RIF), a national nonprofit literacy organization and a good friend of First Book, needs your help. The President's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget eliminates the RIF Book Distribution Program. Unless Congress reinstates funding for this program, RIF will be unable to ...

Drop Everything!

James Patterson — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:37:53 -0700

Have you run across any of those D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) programs at schools or other places? Basic idea is that you carve out some time when everybody has some uninterrupted reading time, and make a fun thing of it. I remember some past PageTurner winners-including All Hallows High School in the Bronx-have done quite wonderfully with them. Of course, ...

Is It All In The Presentation?

James Patterson — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:43:00 -0800

I was in Marrakech once. Marrakech is the location of the summer palace of the Sultan. According to Koranic law, the sultan has to meet with his subjects each day to hear their complaints.Because of the custom, a public square has been built outside of the palace. The square fills up every night at sundown. It's quite a show.On this particular night, I sat in the public square, sipping a ...

Face the Book

James Patterson — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:53:42 -0800

So my British publisher goaded me into starting a Face book page. Apparently it’s all the rage. Do you guys have one? Do please feel free to become my “friend.” I can’t promise I’m going to remember birthdays and things, but here’s the link.One thing I do enjoy about the site, though, is that lately people have been using an application that’s all about... books!You can make a ...

Reaching the "Next Level"

James Patterson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:54:47 -0800

Can’t write much this week—Sue and I are taking a little long-overdue holiday away from home and if she catches me writing here, well . . . But I did want to highlight a clever post Beth made last week. She writes, “Here's an idea: have kids do reports on video games every day in school for years; keep logs on them and take them apart, diagram their dialogue structure, make everyone in the ...