WSU alum nails two fantasy bestsellers; third coming

Patrick Rothfuss, WSU alum
Patrick Rothfuss, ’02, has written two bestselling fantasy novels. A third is pending. Courtesy Patrick Rothfuss

 

Patrick Rothfuss book The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle
Patrick Rothfuss, ’02, has written two bestselling fantasy novels. A third is pending. Courtesy Patrick Rothfuss

PULLMAN, Wash. – Fantasy writer Patrick Rothfuss (’02 MA) enters the sleek atrium of the Chicago Hyatt with aplomb — passing through a lobby packed with weird characters. A human-sized rabbit taps away on a laptop, a steampunk Victorian-era archaeologist hunts for her friends, a green-haired space alien stands in line for a latte.

These are Rothfuss’ people. Or as he calls them, “Geeks of all creeds and nations.”

Rothfuss, who received his master’s degree in arts and English from WSU in 2002, was not a typical graduate student. Whereas his classmates focused on becoming scholars, he struggled to find a publisher for his massive trilogy. His writing was, “rejected by every agent in the universe,” he said.

Now the New York Times best-selling author can be found signing autographs for adoring fans and science fiction enthusiasts.

To read the full article, visit Washington State Magazine.