Garth Stein

Garth Stein is the internationally bestselling author of the contemporary classic, The Art of Racing the Rain, the story of a beloved philosopher dog named Enzo who teaches us everything we need to know about being human. A major motion picture starring Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, and Amanda Seyfried, will hit the big screen this summer. The Art of Racing in the Rain has sold more 6 million copies world-wide, been translated into 36 languages, and spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list. The novel inspired a Young Reader edition as well as four children's picture books, and a stage adaptation by Book-It Repertory Theatre in Seattle.

Stein is the author of three other novels—A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, and Raven Stole the Moon—as well as a full-length play, Brother Jones, which had its premiere in Los Angeles and was described as "brimming with intensity," by The Los Angeles Weekly. He’s the co-founder of Seattle7Writers, a non-profit collective dedicated to energizing readers, writers and their communities by providing funding, programming, and donations of free books to those in need. In 2010, The Novel: Live! was conceived by Garth, and brought 36 authors together to write a novel in 6 days before a live audience. The benefit writing marathon was streamed live on the Internet drawing a global following, which was an unprecedented experience at that time. Garth has been named inaugural chair of the Author Leadership Circle of Binc—Book Industry Charitable Foundation. Stein earned a B.A. from Columbia University and holds a Masters of Fine Arts in film from Columbia. He’s produced and directed several award-winning documentaries and music videos, and is the winner of multiple literary awards, including two PNBA awards.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Seattle, Garth's ancestry is diverse: his mother, a native of Alaska, is of Tlingit Indian and Irish descent; his father, a Brooklyn native, is the child of Jewish emigrants from Austria. Garth lives in Seattle with his wife and three sons. He got involved with "high performance driver education" in 2001, received his racing license with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and went on to win the points championship in the Northwest Region Spec Miata class in 2004. He left racing after a serious crash—while racing in the rain.

"We were blown away by Garth's showmanship and professionalism last weekend! We had brought enough books to sell three times the amount that we sold for the event last year, but underestimated the great, far-ranging appeal of the book to the community, and ran out!"

-- Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins Reads

"Attendees were thrilled to hear humorous stories of [Garth's] life, his family and how he writes...Garth is a big supporter of libraries and seemed to really enjoy visiting with our Friends of the Library and talking with them one on one as they were given his newest book and provided time to have Garth sign it for them.""

-- Cindy Mares, Arapahoe Library District

"Of all the books and authors we've worked with, The Art of Racing in the Rain is at the top of our list of favorite community read titles and Garth is one of our favorite writers. There is a long tail when the book, the author and the marketing fit together perfectly. The Art of Racing in the Rain and Garth Stein have that quality. Garth is one of the best. He is a terrific speaker and performer who really knows how to play to the audience. A perfect example was his interaction with the students from our Studio 60093 film program, an invitation-only workshop Garth led. He responded to their antics and their enthusiasm with the ease of a professional and a father. After the program, one student told us the workshop was a "once in a lifetime experience."

-- Juliann Janovicz, One Book Two Villages

"Garth just left - it was a wonderful 2 days! He spoke to 160 people at the luncheon yesterday, about 1,500 people last night, and about 300 high school students this morning. He was fantastic! You could have heard a pin drop at all his presentations. He has the gift of appealing to a whole community of readers - from 14 to 85."

-- Susan Allison, Richardson Reads

"Can I just say, "AMAZING"? The event last evening was well received by the public, students and staff. My boss who chatted with Mr. Stein in the green room, before the event came and told me, "He is so cool!"; I have never heard my boss so excited about a presenter/presentation. Already I have received emails this morning (sent last night) full of praise, delight and confirmation that having Mr. Stein on campus has made "The Art of Racing in the Rain" alive to the readers. Students have informed me that the classes established around the book have been "...the best ever!" "

-- Bobbi Cullinan, St. Petersburg College

"We're getting very excited about having Garth visit the Kitsap Regional Library on February 11th and March 4th. We announced the book as our One Book One Community choice for 2017 on Sept. 1st 2016. Demand for the title was immediate across all formats, the library's 302 print copies have been checked out 1436 times so far, the 99 ebook copies - 650 times, the 51 audio books - 262 times, and the 90 digital audio books 345. These numbers don't include all of the books that were given out as prizes for those adults who participated in our Summer Learning reading challenge (reading at least 10 hours between May-Sept.) We anticipate that the numbers will continue to grow through January and February as our book discussions and events kick off."

-- Sarah Jaffa, Kitsap CRP - WA

"Garth Stein's introduction was spiritual in reviewing civil discourse, the institutions that sustain our society and the importance of supporting these ideas. He was a keen supporter of public servants- especially librarians and teachers"

-- Patti Littlhales, Newport Library Foundation - Newport Reads - Oregon

"Garth Stein had the audience in his hand with stories about his personal life as it steered his writing and the incidents in The Art of Racing in the Rain and a Sudden Light. The personal overtones and possibilities of spiritual encounters was both thought provoking and personal."

-- Patti Littlehales, Newport Library Foundation - Newport Reads - Oregon

For more about Garth and his works, go to http://www.garthstein.com