Patricia Lee Gauch
Patricia Lee Gauch, also known as Patti Lee Gauch (January 3, 1934), served as the editor-in-chief and vice president of Philomel Books from 1985 - 2009. During her first year, she discovered Redwall by Brian Jacques, and offered him his first U.S. contract.
Gauch would go on to edit 16 novels in the Redwall series. Jacques dedicated Martin the Warrior to her, and named a character in the novel, Gauchee, after her.
Gauch hired illustrator Ian Schoenherr, her former student, who illustrated Jacques' Castaways of the Flying Dutchman. She also showed Jacques the artwork of Christopher Denise, which led him to write The Great Redwall Feast.
Additionally, Gauch reached out to David Elliot to hire him as a Redwall interior chapter illustrator.
Gauch contributed an essay about Jacques to the 2007 Redwall: 20th Anniversary Gift Package and a foreword, "Behind the Red Wall", to the 2026 Redwall: The Collector's Edition.
Interview
[edit]- The Redwall Wiki interviewed Gauch about her time working with Brian Jacques. Read it here.