SMALL ACTS OF MAGIC, 27 Short Stories

"A glowing and enticing little book! Marvelous stories by a gifted writer whose work I've read with fascination since she was my student more than 50 years ago."

-Jonathan Kozol, National Book Award winner and author of Rachel and

Her Children and Amazing Grace.




"Martha Patterson is an incredibly talented, prolific and imaginative writer with an awe-inspiring range of stories to tell. As a fellow-writer, I am fascinated, and oftentimes even awe-struck, by Martha's ability to create characters who we immediately "get". She then takes us on their journeys... journeys that captivate us throughout the entire ride. Her wit, sensitivity and humanity shine through on every page. There is a certain M. Patterson signature built into each work whether it is a comedy, a drama, a mystery or a farce. I am never disappointed, and I am usually terribly envious of the talent of this astonishing creator."

-Donald Loftus, Playwright, Dress Blues and The Wayland Nocturne




"Martha Patterson's characters are tender and lonely, her writing is succinct and moving."

-Evan Guilford-Blake, Author of the novels Animation and The Bluebird

Prince, and the story collection American Blues