The Art of Writing Epic Stories without Villains, featuring Ann Patchett

This week’s episode is in partnership with WomenLit and features the famously kind, down-to-earth, and beloved Ann Patchett in conversation with Brooke. Ann discusses why she doesn’t write villains, yes, but also why she invited someone she didn’t know all that well to live with her while she went through chemo treatment (the subject of her recent Harper’s piece, “These Precious Days”), as well as her experience as a bookstore owner, her ambivalence for social media, and much much more.

ABOUT ANN PATCHETT

Ann Patchett is the author of seven novels, The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Bel Canto, Run, State of Wonder, and Commonwealth. She was the editor of Best American Short Stories, 2006, and has written three books of nonfiction. She’s the recipient of countless prizes and the co-owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2011. She has since become a spokesperson for independent booksellers, championing books and bookstores. She lives in Nashville with her husband and their dog, Sparky. Discover more about Ann at annpatchett.com.