"A great story, vividly told, built on characters people can identify with
will always be appealing regardless of the medium."
— James Patterson

"Patterson does it again. We fans all have one wish for him: write even faster."
— Larry King, USA Today

KING OF THE THRILLER, JAMES PATTERSON, TO THRILL ASPEN ON MARCH 18

(March 1, 2006) Aspen, CO … Number one international bestselling author James Patterson wraps up the Aspen Writer's Foundation's Winter Words 2006 author reading series on Saturday, March 18. The final event of the season takes place at 5:30 pm at the Wheeler Opera House.

"James Patterson has a fan base that is unmatched in today's literary world," said executive director Lisa Consiglio. "His works have been captivating audiences for years, and Aspen is in for a thrill when he takes the stage on the 18th."

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
The New York Times called Patterson "One of America's most influential authors." A master of storytelling, Patterson's success is unique in his ability to cross genres (suspense, fantasy, children's books and romance) and win millions of readers. Eighteen of his novels have topped the New York Times bestseller list, and many of his creations have gone on to become Hollywood hits. He is the author of the two bestselling new detective series of the past decade: the Alex Cross novels, including Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, and the Women's Murder Club series. His latest, Mary, Mary, continues the saga of Alex Cross, his original fictional hero, whom the Dallas Morning News dubbed "one of the great creations of thriller fiction." In this detective tome, Cross must find the true identity of an emailing murderess, a killer who is targeting Hollywood's A-list, before she can send one more chilling missive.

Before he became a full-time writer, Patterson spent his days telling other peoples' (or in this case, other companies') stories, as the youngest ever CEO of the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson, North America. He got his start there in 1971 as a copywriter and eventually moved his way through the ranks to head up award-winning campaigns for Kodak, Burger King, and Toys R Us, among others.

True to his advertising roots, Patterson remains very much the idea person. Since 1993, he has designed his own book jackets with signature oversize lettering that a reader can't miss. Juggling hundreds of story ideas at a time, he has said that he often works with co-authors. These collaborations enable him to bring multiple storylines to the marketplace each year. In 2005 alone, he published five novels, all of which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list (yet another record) and pleased his millions of fans.

Patterson published his first mystery, The Thomas Berryman Number, in 1976. He has since had 30 bestsellers and has become so successful in publishing that the Harvard Business School has used him as a case study in brand management. In marketing that brand, he has been able to combine his business acumen, design savvy and storytelling talents to great success, generating a body of work grossing 1.5 billion dollars.

Today, he is in a position to use his time and resources to help other writers. A major advocate of literacy programs and passionate about spreading the joy of reading, he devotes extensive time to giving free public lectures at schools, bookstores, and for an array of other organizations. Patterson has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for reading and education and has personally pledged millions to the cause. He resides in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and son.

DETAILS
Winter Words events start at 5:30 pm; doors open at 5 pm. The author will give a reading and talk, followed by a short Q&A session and a book signing. Town Center Booksellers, the official bookseller of Winter Words 2006, will have a selection of books by the author available for purchase at the event.

TICKETS
Tickets are $20 each/$15 for students and educators with school ID. Tickets are available at the Wheeler Opera House (970.920.5770), at the Aspen Writers' Foundation's new online box office at www.aspenwriters.org, and on a space-available basis at the door. Discounted tickets for educators and students are available only through the Aspen Writers' Foundation.

THE ASPEN WRITERS’ FOUNDATION
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Aspen Writers’ Foundation, Colorado's oldest nonprofit literary organization, has been bringing readers and writers together since 1976. The organization’s mission is to provide programs that encourage writers in their craft and readers in their appreciation of good literature. More information is available from the Aspen Writers' Foundation at 970.925.3122 and www.aspenwriters.org.

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