James Brendan Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an American author. Among his works are the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women's Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, NYPD Red, Witch & Wizard, Private and Middle School series, as well as many stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction, and romance novels. Patterson's books have sold more than 425 million copies, He has donated millions of dollars in grants and scholarship to various universities, teachers' colleges, independent bookstores, school libraries, and college students to promote literacy. Patterson graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Manhattan University and with an M.A. in English from Vanderbilt University. He appeared on the Fox TV show The Simpsons (in the episode "Yokel Chords") and in various episodes of Castle as himself.
Patterson works with a variety of co-authors, In 2020, his JP Entertainment company signed a first-look deal with Entertainment One.
In June 2022, Patterson apologized on Facebook for his accusations of racism after saying in an interview that older white males find it difficult to find work in film, theater, television and publishing, and that the problem is "just another form of racism." Patterson's publishing house, Hachette, has a workforce that is 65% white and 78% of senior positions are filled by white people. Following publication of data confirming that white males are overrepresented in the publishing field, Patterson said: "I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism. I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard—in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere."
In March 2023, Patterson signed an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television.
Reception
Patterson has been criticized for co-authoring many of his books
In 2017, digital humanities scholars Simon Fuller and James O'Sullivan published research showing that Patterson does not do much actual writing when collaborating with other authors. Patterson criticized the move, calling it a "borderline absurd decision". He encouraged readers to "send a polite note" to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in response to legislation passed to seek community input on school library materials.
Personal life
Patterson and his wife, Susan, live in Palm Beach, Florida.
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|2007-2008 Soaring Eagle Book Award
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| rowspan="1" |Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports
|2008 Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award
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| rowspan="1" |Maximum Ride: The Final Warning
|2009 Kids' Book Choice Awards
|Author of the Year
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| rowspan="1" |Maximum Ride: MAX
|2011 Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award
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| rowspan="1" |Now You See Her
(with Michael Ledwidge)
|2011 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Mystery & Thriller
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| rowspan="1" |Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel
|2011 Children's Choice Book Awards
|Teen Choice Book of the Year
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| rowspan="1" |Women's Murder Club: 11th Hour
(with Maxine Paetro)
|2012 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Mystery & Thriller
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| rowspan="2" |Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
(with Chris Tebbetts)
|2012-2013 Soaring Eagle Book Award
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|2012 Kids' Book Choice Awards
|Author of the Year
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| rowspan="1" |First Love
(with Emily Raymond)
|2015 Audie Awards
|Romance
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| rowspan="1" |Cross Justice
|2017 Audie Awards
|Thriller or Suspense
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| rowspan="1" |The President is Missing
(with Bill Clinton)
|2018 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Mystery & Thriller
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| rowspan="1" |All-American Murder: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez, the Superstar Whose Life Ended on Murderers' Row
(with Alex Abramovich and Mike Harvkey)
|2018 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Non-Fiction
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| rowspan="1" |Word of Mouse
(with Chris Grabenstein)
|2019 Children's Literature Association of Utah Bee Hive Book Awards
|Children's Fiction
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| rowspan="1" |Along Came a Spider: 25th Anniversary Edition
|2020 Audie Awards
|Mystery
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| rowspan="1" |The House of Kennedy
(with Cynthia Fagen)
|2020 Goodreads Choice Awards
|History & Biography
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| rowspan="2" |Ali Cross
|2020 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Middle Grade & Children's
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|2023-2024 Indian Paintbrush Book Award
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| rowspan="1" |Walk in My Combat Boots
(with Matt Eversmann & Chris Mooney)
|2021 Goodreads Choice Awards
|History & Biography
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| rowspan="1" |Best Nerds Forever
(with Chris Grabenstein)
|2021 Goodreads Choice Awards
|Middle Grade & Children's
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| rowspan="3" |Becoming Muhammad Ali
(with Kwame Alexander)
|2022 Mangolia Book Awards
|Grades 3–5
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|2023 Grand Canyon Reader Award
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|2023 South Dakota Children's Book Awards
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| rowspan="1" |The House of Wolves
(with Mike Lupica)
|2024 International Thriller Writers Awards
|Audiobook
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Adaptations
Film
- Kiss the Girls (1997), film directed by Gary Fleder, based on novel Kiss the Girls
- Along Came a Spider (2001), film directed by Lee Tamahori, based on novel Along Came a Spider
- Alex Cross (2012), film directed by Rob Cohen, based on novel Cross, or Alex Cross
- Maximum Ride (2016), film directed by Jay Martin, based on novels of Maximum Ride series
- Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (2016), film directed by Steve Carr, based on children's novel Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
- The Postcard Killings (2020), film directed by Danis Tanović, based on novel The Postcard Killers
Television
- Child of Darkness, Child of Light (1991), telefilm directed by Marina Sargenti, based on novel Virgin, or Cradle and All
- Miracle on the 17th Green (1999), telefilm directed by Michael Switzer, based on novel Miracle on the 17th Green
- First to Die (2003), telefilm directed by Russell Mulcahy, based on novel 1st to Die
- Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas (2005), telefilm directed by Richard Friedenberg, based on novel Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
- Women's Murder Club (2007–2008), series created by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, based on novels of Women's Murder Club series
- Sundays at Tiffany's (2010), telefilm directed by Mark Piznarski, based on novel Sundays at Tiffany's
- Zoo (2015–2017), series based on novel Zoo
- James Patterson's the Chef (2018), miniseries directed by Nico Casavecchia and Gabe Michael, based on novel The Chef
- Instinct (2018–2019), series created by Michael Rauch, based on novel Murder Games, or Instinct
- Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020), miniseries co-written by John Connolly and Tim Malloy and based on Filthy Rich
- Cross (2024)
- One Night in Idaho: The College Murders (2025)
Filmography
Television
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
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!scope=row|2009–2010
| Castle
| Himself
| Episodes: "Flowers For Your Grave", "A Deadly Game"
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|}
References
External links
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- James Patterson at the Internet Book List