An epistolary novel with a twist, Please Write chronicles the correspondence between Vivienne, the alter ego of a recently widowed Cleveland artist, and Zippy, a mixed-breed terrier rescued off the streets of Baltimore. Zippy’s letters recount her antics and ambitions, along with her literacy lessons, taught by the household’s noble Boston Terrier, Winslow. The letters change and enrich the lives of the correspondents, as well as Zippy’s owner, Pamela, a harried journalist whose life is unraveling.

Combining the canine viewpoint of A Dog’s Purpose with the poignant style of The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society, Please Write delivers a funny and endearing account of coping with heartbreak and loss through the power of imagination and love.

J. Wynn Rousuck will be joined in conversation by WJZ anchor Denise Koch. 

About the Author: 

J. Wynn Rousuck is the former longtime theater critic for The Baltimore Sun and current critic for WYPR, Baltimore’s NPR affiliate.

About the Moderator: 

For more than two decades, Denise Koch has been on WJZ's anchor desk.  She is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, who has traveled to China, West Africa and Jamaica to report the news. She's also covered the homefront from around the U.S. and from every corner of our state, bringing local, national and world events into sharp focus for WJZ viewers.  She's been on the advisory boards of the Hospice Network of Maryland, Success in Style (clothing women re-entering the workforce) and the Maryland Committee for the Children. She's also a founding member of the Womens Leadership Institute of Baltimore and for 10 years she was a member of the Howard County Arts Council and is currently a board member of the United Way of Central Maryland as well as a member of their women's leadership council.

About the Program: 

• To attend in person please register here.   
• Doors will open to registered attendees at 6 pm. 
• A local bookseller will be on-site and have books available for purchase.
• Free parking vouchers are available to program attendees who park at the Franklin Street Garage (15 W. Franklin Street) after 4pm.  Ask Pratt event staff for your parking voucher prior to or after the program. 
• This free event will be presented in-person and virtually.