An Interview with Author Patti Eddington

Patti Eddington is a newspaper and magazine journalist whose favorite job ever was interviewing the famous authors who came through town on book tours. She never dreamed of writing about her life because she was too busy helping build her husband’s veterinary practice, caring for her animal obsessed daughter—whose favorite childhood toy was an inflatable tick—and learning to tap dance. Then fate, and a DNA test, led her to a story she felt compelled to write. 

Tell us about the story you reveal in your most recent book, The Girl With Three Birthdays (She Writes Press, May 2024)?

I am an adopted person who, for the first 58 years of her life, managed to convince herself she didn’t want or need to know the story of her origins. Then a DNA test given to me as a gift from my daughter led to meeting biological relatives. What it revealed was such a wrenching, twisted story that I felt driven to have my adoption records —stored in a courthouse vault for all those decades — unlocked. 

The contents of those records unleashed a heartbreaking, emotional tempest that led me to question everything I had ever believed about my beloved adoptive parents and my childhood. Ultimately, the findings led to writing this memoir. 

Why did you choose the book’s title? 

I love my title, The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter’s Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales— but it wasn’t the one I used when writing the book. My original title was “The Greatest Centennial Hula Hoop Queen: Two names, Three Birthdays, and One Big Secret.” There is a sub plot in the story which addresses my desire to somehow, someway, win a tiara.

My publisher Brooke Warner of She Writes Press, saw a few issues with the original title and what people might be expecting the book to be— also, my original title didn’t indicate it was a true story. She read my manuscript and came back to me with several possible titles and subtitles. I ran them by my husband, daughter, and best friend, and we all came to the same decision. And so, The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter’s Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales, it became. 

What three tips do you have for aspiring women looking to write a book?

• My most important thought is probably one that will be the least favorite for people who have always wanted to be an author —please understand that your book is a business. It’s not perhaps the most lofty or romantic of thoughts, but it is the truest thing I know to say. I’ve met authors who hope their story and the beauty of their writing will be enough to make their book a success. Sadly, beautifully crafted stories go unnoticed all the time. I know a USA Today bestselling author who has written probably 15 books and says the process of being an author is simply “a tough slog, day after day after day.” He’s right.

• Even if you have a wonderful marketing/public relations team, you will still have to market your own book. It will take a lot of hard work and creativity, so you don’t feel like you are saying the same thing over and over or worry that people are getting tired of hearing it. It’s absolutely vital to spend some time getting comfortable with creative and fun ways to spread the word.

• I don’t like the phrase “develop a thick skin,” because writers should always be open, have some vulnerability, and not be calloused. But if you can learn not to be wounded by some of the weirdness that may come your way, which doesn’t have anything to do with you or your book, it will be helpful. 

  I had one reader say they didn’t realize my book was a true story and they don’t like to read true stories, so they gave it a low ranking; my title literally includes the word memoir. Another said the writing was good, but she was disappointed there wasn’t maybe, oh . . . a kidnapping to spice things up. It’s easy to laugh that kind of thing off, but if those reviews come with a two-star rating, it can mess with your emotions. Every author handles this differently. I know one woman who prints out all her five-star reviews and looks at only those. Some authors look at the reviews of well-known writers to remind themselves it happens to everyone. Whatever you do, try to remember not every book is for every person and this too shall pass. 

What are you working on next?

I’m delighted to say my next memoir which is about the sweetness, the sadness, and the humor that come with being married to a veterinarian all these years is slated for publishing in April 2026. The working title is: “Don’t Look in the Freezer—A Memoir: Some Dogs, a Few Cats and the Strange Life of a Veterinarian’s Wife.” 

To read Julie’s review of The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter’s Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales, go here.

Follow Patti Eddington at:

pattieddington.com
The Girl with Three Birthdays on Facebook
Patti Eddington—Author on Instagram and Facebook

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In December 2024, Julie’s essay, “Why the Details on Your OBR Matter––A lot!” was published in Severance Magazine. Her piece, titled: The “Big Three” Questions Adoptees Think About, was published on Adopting.com.

January 15: Julie’s episode as a guest on The Social Work Bubble podcast with Laura Swanson will air.

February 4: Julie’s new memoir, Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood hits the bookshelves. 

February 6: Julie will guest on the 8000 Promises: Cycle Breaking and World Changing From the Inside Out podcast with Adi Tilford.

February 6: Julie will celebrate her book launch in “the Loft” at Sarasota Bookstore1 from 6-7 PM ET. She will be in conversation with fellow Sarasota author, Simone Knego, answer questions, and sign books. Here’s the link to sign up. 

February 7: Julie will discuss her new book on Blog Talk Radio as a guest on “Conversations LIVE!” with Cyrus Webb. 

February 8: Julie will discuss her adoption journey on DNAngels Lost and Found: No More Secrets Podcast.

February 13: Julie will be a return guest to Thriving Adoptees podcast with host Simon Benn. They will discuss Julie’s forthcoming memoir, Twice the Family.

February 18: Julie will appear in-person at Anderson’s Bookstore in Downers Grove, IL to discuss her new book, answer questions, and sign books. Space is limited. To attend the event, please register here.

February 26: Julie will present a workshop on memoir, “So You Want to Write That Story,” at the St. Pete Beach Public Library from 1-3 PM.

March 6: Julie will be Irene Weisberg’s guest on the Grief & Rebirth Podcast.

March 14-16, 2025, Julie will attend the Tucson Festival of Books. You can find her in the Adoptee Authors booth where she will be signing her books.

March 21, 2025, Julie will be signing and selling books to benefit the Longboat Key Library at J McLaughlin’s on Longboat Key. Come out and show your support at this popular “Sip ‘n Shop” event.

March 26-29, 2025, Julie will be at AWP Conference and Bookfair in LA where she will greet readers and sign books at the Muse Literary booth. Hope to see you there!

Follow Julie by visiting her website, subscribe to her bimonthly newsletters, and listen to previous podcast recordings where she discusses topics like adoption, identity, and belonging.

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