FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who do I contact about a press request?
If you would like to interview Mr. Carman please contact fanmail@patrickcarman.com.
How can I get Patrick Carman to come to my school and do a presentation?
Mr. Carman presents at approximately 75 schools per year. The vast majority of those presentations are tied to national touring events for different book releases. If you would like to request a school visit, please contact us at fanmail@patrickcarman.com.
How much does Patrick Carman charge for a school presentation?
The cost of a school visit varies depending on the event type, the amount of travel, and the time involved. Please contact us for details. Karen’s email address is fanmail@patrickcarman.com.
What topics does Patrick Carman cover in a school presentation?
Regardless of age, Mr. Carman focuses his presentations on the importance of reading and writing and the magic of storytelling. His talks are humorous, memorable, filled with stories from his own childhood, and inspiring for students.
What are the best age groups for Patrick Carman’s presentations?
Mr. Carman writes books for children as young as 1st grade all the way up to young adults in high school. The best groups are usually grade clusters of 1st and 2nd graders, 3rd – 6th graders, 7th – 8th graders, and 9th – 10th graders, but other mixes can be just as successful.
How long does a presentation take?
Mr. Carman’s school presentation usually lasts about 45 minutes, followed by Q and A and small group visits.
Is there anything I should do to prepare for a school visit?
The best thing a school can do to prepare for an author visit is to have the students read Mr. Carman’s books. Kids who have read even one of Mr. Carman’s books get a lot more out of the visit than those that have read none.
How old is Mr. Carman and what is his birthday?
Mr. Carman’s birthday is February 27th, 1966. You’ll have to figure out his age on your own!
Where did Mr. Carman go to school?
Patrick graduated high school from Sacred Heart Academy in 1984, and graduated from Willamette University in 1988.
Why does Patrick Carman create Multimedia books?
One of Mr. Carman’s passions is getting young people excited about reading. Seeing the trends in technology he realizes that getting kids to sit down and read a book is more difficult now that it ever has been. Incorporating video games and videos is a way for young people to bridge the gap between technology and reading.
Where can I find out about Mr. Carman’s touring dates?
The best way to track touring dates is to keep an eye on my Facebook page. If I’m touring or about to tour, you’ll find info there. See the Facebook link at the bottom of all the pages on this site.
How long has Mr. Carman been writing books?
Mr. Carman began writing novels in 2001. His first book, The Dark Hills Divide, was published by Scholastic in 2003.
What awards have Mr. Carman’s books won or been nominated for?
Visit the Awards page for a current list
Does Mr. Carman have any writing tips he can provide?
Mr. Carman has produced a video series on the writing process to help aspiring young writers. You can find the videos on the writing tips page of this site.
What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
Mr. Carman is a social butterfly, so the hardest thing about writing is closing the door and staying alone for hours on end.
What are Mr. Carman’s favorite books and writers?
Mr. Carman’s favorite writers are John Steinbeck, David James Duncan, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Roald Dahl, Charles Dickens, JRR Tolkien, Norman Maclean, Edgar Allen Poe, and Richard Russo.
For the very young: Where the Wild Things Are, anything by Dr. Seuss.
Middle grade readers: The Borrowers, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Holes, Frindle, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, the Graveyard Book.
All time favorite reads: The Alchemist, East of Eden, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Brothers K, Ender’s Game, The Outsiders, The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint, A Separate Peace, Cannery Row, Tortilla Flats, A River Runs Through It, Huckleberry Finn, The Once and Future King, All Over But the Shoutin, The Killer Angels, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, The Glass Castle, The Sky Fisherman, Motherless Brooklyn, The Pillars of the Earth, Empire Falls.
Favorite Classics: Le Miserable, The Brothers Karamazov, Frankenstein, The Old Man and the Sea, Oliver Twist, The Turn of the Screw, The short works of Edgar Allen Poe.
Favorite Poets: Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams, Edgar Allen Poe, Shel Silverstein
About writing: On Writing (Stephen King)
The great outdoors: The Solace of Open Spaces, Into the Wild, The River Why.
Desert time: A Generous Orthodoxy, the Universal Christ, Falling Upwards, When the Heart Waits, To Bless the Space Between Us,
What are Mr. Carman’s future plans as a writer?
Keep an eye on the site for everything Patrick Carman will be working on in the future.
What does Mr. Carman like to do when he’s not writing books or touring for books?
Fly fishing, volunteering in the community, playing chess and cards, cooking, golfing, riding bikes, running, traveling, watching movies and TV shows, and hanging out with family.
Does Mr. Carman have any pets?
Otto, an old Chihuahua.
Where does Mr. Carman do his writing?
Usually in an office in Walla Walla, Washington.
How long does it take for Mr. Carman to write a book?
This varies wildly depending on the project. A big novel takes up to six months, a short chapter book might only take two weeks. It really depends on the length more than anything. 100,000 words takes longer to write than 5,000.
How do I get my own book published?
If you have a book or a story you would like to have published, Mr. Carman’s best advice is to read Stephen King’s book On Writing. All the answers you need are in there.
Does Mr. Carman read books by aspiring authors and comment on them?
He used to, but the number of submissions Mr. Carman receives makes it impractical to continue doing so. He wishes he had time to read everything that comes across his desk, but there’s simply not enough time in the day. He hopes readers will understand!
What was the inspiration for each of Mr. Carman’s books?
Mr. Carman’s books are all inspired by different people for different reasons. Each book has a dedication that can be found in the first few pages. Often, there is also an acknowledgement section at the back of each book that lists other important people that inspired the book.
Where does Mr. Carman come up with his characters?
This is best answered by watching the two Writing Atherton videos called Developing Characters sequence 1 and 2. Those videos can be found in the writing tips section of this site.
Are any of the characters in Mr. Carman’s books based on real people?
Very rarely. It’s far more common to find a certain character trait or a physical feature based on someone Mr. Carman knows. He has, on occasion, inserted a character based on someone he knows, but he has not revealed who those characters and people are.
My question is not answered here. How do I find the answer?
Send an email to fanmail@patrickcarman.com with the subject line ‘FAQ did not answer my question’ and then ask your question in the email. We will do everything we can to answer you quickly or update the FAQ and let you know your question has been added to the site. Please be patient! Sometimes Mr. Carman is traveling or on a writing deadline and cannot answer new questions for several weeks.