Will's second novel,
The Whirlpool of Lebanon,
is forthcoming September 15, 2026.
There's something in the water in Lebanon, Kansas.
Zeb Stout is an eccentric rancher with a sick wife and a field of junkyard sculptures. As hope fades, a whirlpool appears in the pasture, offering a choice he never imagined.
Consequences ripple through Lebanon. Calves wander down Main Street. Rumors spread of impossible recoveries. Neighbors vanish. Soon the entire town is drawn to Stout Ranch, desperate to drink, to heal, to be young.
The Whirlpool of Lebanon is a surreal and darkly comic novel about love, longing, and the terrible beauty of second chances. This is what happens when a miracle arrives—and refuses to leave.
I am a dog but I do not die at the end of this book. Who else could have written it?
The human who found me is fine. She feeds me. She cuddles me. She puts a roof over my head. But I do not appreciate being held captive. Because I am a dog with the intelligence of a human. And I aim to find out why.
Accompanied by Shakespeare, a Pug with the intelligence of a Pug, I run away from home, embarking on an epic quest for freedom, knowledge, and, quite possibly, revenge. Together we must survive a harsh desert of cannibalistic coyotes, stray humans, a fugitive white tiger, and one hypnotic beacon that shines from a city of sin, luring us back into so-called civilization.
My name is Rousseau. I seek the truth. Even if it means I lose my mind...
Critics are saying:
"Pass masterfully blends humor, heart, and peril in this anthropomorphic tale, making it an unforgettable read."
—SOUTHWEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
"Rou is a stalwart lead, smart as a whip and tenderhearted, and second banana Shakespeare is an endearing, jovial ball of energy."
—KIRKUS
Readers are saying:
★★★★★ "By far the best dog story I've ever read."
★★★★★ "I did not expect the complexity, the humor, the philosophy, and the humanness that exist in these pages! But don't be fooled—this is no boring, philosophical story. While the themes are underlying, the main force of this novel is action and movement."
★★★★★ "A very impressive debut that works on a variety of levels."
★★★★★ "Insanely creative."