Patty Dann

Follow This Author

Patty Dann is the author of novels including Mermaids, which was turned into a film starring Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci. Her articles have appeared in the New York Times, O magazine, Redbook, More magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. She has an MFA in writing from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Oregon. She lives in New York City.

Follow your favorite authors

Be the first to know when Patty Dann releases a new book

Track every title, build your personal library, and stay on top of your TBR

with Patty Dann

“Spare is the word that comes to mind, when asked to describe my writing. I write and re-write many times, then read my work aloud to take out any extra words.”

Bibliography

Show text-only list

Series

Mermaids

A General Fiction series (1986 - 2013)

Mermaids

1986

Starfish

2013

Standalone Fiction

Sweet & Crazy

2003

The Wright Sister

2020

Standalone Non-fiction

Baby Boat

1998

The Goldfish Went on Vacation

2007

The Butterfly Hours

2016

with Patty Dann

For those unfamiliar with your style & genre, how would you describe your writing?

Spare is the word that comes to mind, whether I'm writing fiction or non-fiction books as well as essays. I write and re-write many times, then read my work aloud to take out any extra words.

Where did you grow up and did this location influence your writing in any way?

I grew up in a small town north of New York City. Although Mermaids is fiction, I did grow up next door to a convent. I spent a lot of time walking amidst the beautiful trees on the grounds. There was no handsome caretaker though, as there is in the novel. I created him from my imagination.

What kind of reader were you as a child?

My mother taught me to read before I went to school and our trips to the town library were the highlight of my week. I always loved fiction and poetry and biographies as well. I also loved and still love reading books of letters of famous writers.

For readers new to your work, what title would you recommend?

I don't think I want to write like anyone else, but I admire many, many writers. I love the intensity of Howard Norman's spare fiction and the wisdom and the story-telling abilities of the mystery writer, Louise Penny.

Who are your top 5 favorite authors?

1. Louise Penny

2. Samantha Harvey

3. Claire Keegan

4. Emily Dickinson

5. Michelle Zauner

+ Mikki Brammer

What is one book you repeatedly gift?

Orbital by Samantha Harvey is what I gave friends and family this year.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is another favorite.

Of all the characters you've penned, who has been most influenced by your personal story?

Definitely Charlotte Flax in Mermaids, a confused adolescent, is the character closest to my heart.

What is your favorite indie bookstore?

I do still like Mermaids, but also a book I wrote on writing called The Butterfly Hours.

Describe your writing space.

I write wherever I can put my lap-top - the kitchen, my bedroom and I love writing on trains.

And finally, what's your ideal reading nook?

I now read mostly on the screen -and I'm embarrassed to admit it, often on my phone, so wherever I am, I can read. Unlike most people I do not read right before bedtime - I don't want to miss a word!