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

2021 Tennis Writing

Paris Masters:

Fritz Wins, Korda Loses

11/05/21

Indian Wells: Norrie Wins

First Masters 1000 Title

10/19/21

Badosa Takes Indian Wells Title

In A Thriller

10/19/21

Indian Wells: Norrie Rolls

Into First Masters 1000 Final

10/17/21

Badosa Reaches Indian Wells Final

10/16/21

Discussing Doubles At Indian Wells

10/14/21

Dimitrov Comes Back To Stun

Medvedev At Indian Wells

10/14/21

Indian Wells: Zverev Battles

Past Murray To Advance

10/13/21

The Elements Have Made Play

Tricky At Indian Wells

10/13/21

Fernandez Advances After Thrilling

Comeback At Indian Wells

10/11/21

Indian Wells: Murray Powers

Through To Third Round

10/11/21

Andreescu, Medvedev Advance

At Indian Wells

10/10/21

Indian Wells: Ruud Continues To Roll

10/10/21

Raducanu Falls At Indian Wells

10/10/21

Preview: BNP Paribas Open

10/06/21

Impressive Medvedev Wins

Toronto Masters Crown

08/16/21

Giorgi Takes Montreal Title

08/16/21

Giorgi Gets Past Gauff To

Reach Montreal Semifinals

08/13/21

Tsitsipas Cruises Into

Toronto Semis

08/13/21

Toronto Masters:

Three Americans Advance

08/12/21

Sinner Wins Citi Open Title

In Thrilling Final

08/09/21

Citi Open: McDonald Battles

Past Nishikori In Semifinals

08/08/21

Sinner Rolls Into

Citi Open Semifinals

08/07/21

Harris Upsets Nadal

At Citi Open

08/06/21

Citi Open: Nadal Outlasts

Sock To Advance

08/05/21

Korda Serves His Way

Past Pospisil In D.C.

08/04/21

Citi Open: Auger-Aliassime

Rallies To Defeat Seppi

08/04/21

Nadal Begins Trek To

The US Open In Washington

08/03/21

Wimbledon: Korda Advances

Past Evans

07/03/21

Djokovic Overcomes Wildcard

To Advance At Wimbledon

06/29/21

Roland Garros: Tsitsipas Rallies

To Defeat Isner

06/05/21

Opelka Advances To Rome Semis

05/15/21

Tsitsipas Defeats Rublev

For Monte Carlo Crown

04/19/21

Monte Carlo: Nadal Rolls Past Dimitrov

04/16/21

Hurkacz Takes Miami Open Title

04/05/21

Barty Claims Miami Open Crown

04/04/21

Hurkacz Eliminates Tsitsipas In Miami

04/02/21

Miami Open: Sakkari Rolls Past Osaka

04/01/21

Sakkari Outlasts Pegula In Miami

03/30/21

Miami Open: Andreescu Finds Form

03/30/21

Korda Shows Peak Form In Miami

03/27/21

Miami Open: Media Day

03/25/21

AO 2021: Brady Dismisses

Pegula To Advance to Semifinals

02/17/21

Rublev Surges Into Third

Round In Melbourne

02/11/21

Korda Defeats Isner

At Delray Beach

01/12/21

Delray Beach: Quiroz Moves

Past Karlovic

01/12/21

Harrison Makes His Mark

In Delray Beach

01/11/21