Praise for Jennifer Paddock

"A Secret Word is a remarkably subtle and nuanced coming-of-age novel, which captures the dreamy rhythms of adolescence between staccato moments of crisis as three perfectly ordinary and utterly memorable young southern women find themselves transported inexorably into the cosmopolitan landscape of womanhood. While many first novelists wave their arms and stamp their feet to get our attention, Jennifer Paddock seduces the reader with the narrative equivalent of a raised eyebrow or the almost imperceptible nod of the head. At the end the reader is inclined to ask of the writer as well as her characters—what’s next?”

Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City

"A Secret Word is whole in a way that most of the kind are not; it resonates. That's partly because the three women at the center of the story are so memorable, their lives so inexorably linked, and partly because Paddock writes like Raymond Carver with a bigger heart––simple, graceful but tough, always with an eye on the possibility of redemption."

Michael Knight, author of Goodnight, Nobody

"Jennifer Paddock’s writing is the result of the wise and sure work of a fine mind and steady hand. It is lean and clear in the way poetry lends its best to fine prose."

Brad Watson, author of Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives

"Poignant and true, Paddock’s language evokes the elegiac way lives play themselves out. Her characters are vividly alive, for she writes with her heart as well as her hands."

William Gay, author of Twilight

“In The Weight of Memory, Jennifer Paddock returns with a delicately nuanced story of friendship and identity. The setting of Alabama's Gulf Coast is rendered with quiet eloquence, as are the strained relationships among three women whose lives intersect years after their childhood friendship faded. A riveting novel about memory, the meaning of home, and what we are willing to leave behind.”

Michelle Richmond, author of The Year of Fog

“There is something about Paddock’s writing that defies conventional description. The closest word I can summon is ‘magic’."

Melinda Haynes, author of Mother of Pearl

2019 Tennis Writing

WTA Profile: Alison Riske

12/06/19

Sabalenka Wins WTA Elite

Trophy Zhuhai Title

10/30/19

Bertens Battles Into Zhuhai Final

10/30/19

Keys Rolls But Comes Up Short

In Zhuhai

10/25/19

Interview With Steffi Graf

10/24/19

Kenin Advances Past Riske

In Zhuhai

10/24/19

Sabalenka Is On The Move

In Zhuhai

10/22/19

WTA: Zhuhai Preview

10/21/19

Murray Wins First ATP-Level

Match Since January

09/25/19

Andreescu Wins US Open Title

09/08/19

Rublev Continues Resurgence

At US Open

09/01/19

Keys, Medvedev Bring Home

Cincy Titles

08/19/19

Cincinnati: Semifinals Recap

08/18/19

Gasquet Impressive In Quarterfinal

Win In Cincinnati

08/17/19

Venus Advances To Cincy Quarterfinals

08/16/19

Cincinnati: Rublev Stuns Federer

08/16/19

Barty Rolls Past Sharapova

In Cincinnati

08/15/19

Cincinnati: Rublev Battles Through

08/14/19

Gasquet Slows Murray's Comeback

In Cincy

08/12/19

Cincinnati: Andy Murray Returns

08/12/19

Wimbledon: Sousa Books

A Spot In Week Two

07/06/19

"O Canada!" Auger-Aliassime

Advances At Wimbledon

07/01/19

French Open: Anisimova Blasts

Halep To Reach Semis

06/06/19

An Edgy Thiem Dominates

Monfils in Paris

06/03/19

French Open: Anisimova

Battles Into Round-Of-16

06/02/19

Rome: Nadal Back On Top

05/20/19

Pliskova Takes Rome Title

05/19/19

Rome: Nadal Rounding Into Form

05/18/19

Konta Derails Bertens In Rome

05/18/19

Nadal Rolls Into The Rome

Semifinals

05/17/19

Rome: Big Three Advance

on Thursday

05/17/19

Bertens Rides The Momentum

In Rome

05/17/19

Rome: Kyrgios In Rare Form

05/15/19

The King Of Clay Is Off And

Running In Monte Carlo

04/19/19

Federer Defeats Isner For

Miami Title

04/01/19

Barty Crowned Miami Open

Champion

03/30/19

Isner Powers Into Miami Final

03/30/19

Miami Open: Federer, Pliskova

Advance

03/29/19

Miami Open: Next Gen Takes

Spotlight On Wednesday

03/28/19

Miami Open: Federer, Shapovalov

Advance

03/26/19

Radu Albot Takes Delray Beach Title

02/25/19

Johnson Advances to Delray

Quarterfinals

02/22/19

Evans Upsets Tiafoe To Advance

At Delray Beach

02/20/19

Delray Beach: Tiafoe, Del Potro

Look To Advance

02/19/19

Tsitsipas Battles Into

Australian Open Semifinals

01/22/19

Murray's Herculean Effort

In Melbourne

01/15/19

A Healthy Nishikori Takes

Brisbane Title

01/07/19

Konta, Murray Successfully

Kick Off The New Year

01/01/19