BUY A CAMPUS ON FIRE TODAY!!!

“A prescient and perceptive tale… A Campus on Fire asks the best kind of uncomfortable questions.”

— Christopher J. Yates, author of Black Chalk and The Rabbit Club

“With A Campus on Fire, O’Dowd has cemented himself as a forceful new literary voice.

— Kerri Schlottman, author of Tell Me One Thing

“A vivid debut… a novel about and for our tumultuous era.”

— Wil Medearis, author of Restoration Heights

  • “A Campus on Fire is an excellent debut novel; the pages start turning and they truly do not stop turning. Beautiful prose and writing, suspenseful scenes and impressive interweaving of complex plot points, characters and their motivations. The novel makes you think and doesn’t tell you what to think.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “A mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind read… captivating from the first page. The author’s storytelling is vivid and immersive, bringing every scene to life with striking imagery and emotion. It felt like I was watching a movie unfold in my mind.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “The truth is elusive and, at times, unknowable. A Campus on Fire dwells in that ambiguity… a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read more!”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “A phenomenal novel—urgent, emotionally charged, and beautifully written. This isn’t a romanticized version of protest—it’s messy, painful, and deeply human. If you’re looking for a book that challenges you while keeping you completely engaged, this is it.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “In his bold debut, Patrick O’Dowd lights the wick of a violent protest, lets it explode, and then unflinchingly examines the fallout that is our current political divide… A pressure cooker of violence, fear, and seduction that will leave readers wondering if shared truth is possible in today’s America.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “A smart new look at college campuses and the ways small societies can descend into chaos. Makes you think about the way we receive and spread information in today's world. MUST READ.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • “Our book club recently chose A Campus on Fire, and it sparked some of the most thought-provoking conversations we’ve had in a long time… The author has a rare gift for weaving vivid storytelling with sharp insight, and the result is a book that is both engaging and deeply impactful… It’s a read that challenges, inspires, and leaves you eager to recommend it to others.”

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • "Love, Power, and Greed…. How insidiously they affect our values and morals; and are at the heart of this riveting, page turner. This passionate novel confirms the 3 sides to every story theory... Yours, theirs and the Truth. You will be drawn to compassionately question your own beliefs within your intimate relationships and the worlds current state of affairs. MUST READ"

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • "This novel was so damn compelling... it was pure excitement and suspense that had me tanking through each chapter in anticipation.

    ★★★★★ - Goodreads Review

  • And More...

    Over 50% of reviews on Goodreads are ★★★★★ for A Campus on Fire.

    Read more reviews on Goodreads →

Read More

  • Library Journal

    “O’Dowd’s debut is a stunner, with a devastating ending.” — Library Journal

  • Writer's Digest

    “It’s easy to say, ‘Write what you know.’ But often, I think the more important advice is: Write what unsettles you.” — Patrick O’Dowd, in Writer’s Digest

  • New York Public Library

    Dark Academia: New Campus Thrillers Make the Grade

  • San Francisco Book Review

    “A gripping, razor-sharp novel that captures the volatile collision of truth, power, and ideology in today’s polarized world… Timely, provocative, and unflinchingly bold.” — San Francisco Book Review

  • And So Much More

    A Campus on Fire has been featured widely, across online outlets, author interviews, national lists, YouTube panels, social media spotlights, and award recognition.

    See the full list of coverage 

Featured
BOOKS-A-MILLION
Oct 11
BOOKS-A-MILLION

Join me at Books-A-Million in Rockaway Township, NJ on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM for a signing of my debut novel, A Campus on Fire. Recently named a Finalist for the 2025 American Fiction Award, the book has been praised by Library Journal as “a stunner, with a devastating ending.” Come by, grab a copy, and say hello!

Past Events

*

Past Events *

Past Events
Books & Brew - Cranford Public Library Book Club
Aug 18
Books & Brew - Cranford Public Library Book Club

My debut novel, A Campus on Fire, is the August Book Club selection for the Cranford Public Library. I’ll be joining two sessions of the library’s Books & Brew series at The Morning Roast (Yale Terrace Brewery in Cranford) on 8/18, with meetings at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Come for great conversation, a good drink, and a deep dive into the book that Library Journal called “a stunner, with a devastating ending.”

Wayne Public Library - Writer's Workshop
Aug 9
Wayne Public Library - Writer's Workshop

Join me at the Wayne Public Library on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM for a workshop on finishing your novel. I’ll share insights from writing my debut, A Campus on Fire, and offer strategies to help bring your own manuscript across the finish line.

Patrick O’Dowd in Conversation with the Wayne Public Library
Jul 28
Patrick O’Dowd in Conversation with the Wayne Public Library

Join me online with the Wayne Public Library for a virtual author chat about my debut novel, A Campus on Fire. I’ll discuss the inspiration behind the book, share what I’ve learned about writing and publishing, and take questions from readers. It’s a chance to connect from home and dive into the story, the process, and the power of storytelling.

Barnes & Noble Morris Plains – Book Signing
Jul 19
Barnes & Noble Morris Plains – Book Signing

Join Patrick O’Dowd, author of A Campus on Fire, at Barnes & Noble Morris Plains on July 19. A finalist for the 2025 American Fiction Award, the novel was praised by Library Journal as “a stunner, with a devastating ending.”

Barnes & Noble Paramus – Book Signing
Jul 12
Barnes & Noble Paramus – Book Signing

Meet award finalist Patrick O’Dowd at Barnes & Noble Paramus on July 12 for a signing of A Campus on Fire—a novel Library Journal calls “a stunner, with a devastating ending.”

Amherst Books
Jul 10
Amherst Books

Award finalist Patrick O’Dowd joins fellow Regal House authors at Amherst Books for an evening of readings and conversation about fiction, storytelling, and the creative process.

WORD Bookstore
May 13
WORD Bookstore

Join Me at WORD Bookstore – May 13!

Excited to be in conversation with Kerri Schlottman, author of Tell Me One Thing, at WORD Bookstore in Jersey City! We’ll be discussing our novels, the writing process, and more.

📅 May 13 | 7 PM
📍 WORD Bookstore, 29 McWilliams Pl., Jersey City, NJ

Hope to see you there!

Montclair Book Center
May 3
Montclair Book Center

Join Me at Montclair Book Center – May 3!

I’ll be at Montclair Book Center for a book signing and discussion about A Campus on Fire! Stop by to chat about writing, storytelling, and pick up a copy.

📅 May 3 | 2 PM
📍 Montclair Book Center, 221 Glenridge Ave., Montclair, NJ

Hope to see you there!

Cranford Public Library
Apr 30
Cranford Public Library

Join me at Cranford Public Library on April 30!

I’ll be part of a panel of local authors discussing writing, storytelling, and the creative process. Looking forward to talking about A Campus on Fire and connecting with fellow book lovers.

📅 April 30 | 7 PM
📍 Cranford Public Library, 224 Walnut Ave., Cranford, NJ

Hope to see you there!

A Campus on Fire Book Launch
Apr 29
A Campus on Fire Book Launch

🔥 A Campus on Fire launches April 29! 🔥

Preorder now and be among the first to read it. Available wherever books are sold! Can’t wait to share this with you all.

📅 Release Date: April 29, 2025

Montclair Literary Festival — Alumni Authors Panel
Apr 26
Montclair Literary Festival — Alumni Authors Panel

Montclair State University – April 26, 5:30–6:30 PM

Thrilled to join fellow Montclair alumni Priyanka Taslim (The Love Match) and Casey Masterson (Revelations of the Raven Master) for an alumni authors panel at the Montclair Literary Festival! We’ll be talking about our novels, our journeys, and how Montclair shaped our paths as writers.

📍 Montclair State University
📅 April 26 | 5:30–6:30 PM

Montclair State University
Apr 7
Montclair State University

Montclair State University – April 7, 7 PM

Excited to return to my alma mater, Montclair State University, for a discussion on A Campus on Fire! I’ll be talking about the novel, the writing process, and more. Hope to see you there!

📍 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ
📅 April 7 | 7 PM

I write stories about power, belief, and ambition. My debut, A Campus on Fire, was published by Regal House in 2025 and quickly earned national recognition.

Featured
A Campus on Fire is Available for Pre-Order Today
A Campus on Fire is Available for Pre-Order Today

A Campus on Fire is available for pre-order.

Patrick O Headshots - Large - B&W.jpg
Regal House Publishing

Short Stories

Featured
mr_chandler-scaled.jpg
Mr. Chandler - The Write Launch
Gate 29
Gate 29

Laura isn’t the type of person to abide idleness. She’s always moving, always lunging from one thing to the next.

"What’s your greatest insecurity?" - Quagmire Literary Magazine
"What’s your greatest insecurity?" - Quagmire Literary Magazine

Contact Me