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Bestselling Author Tracey Lange Visits SUNY Potsdam Campus and Local Community

SUNY Potsdam Hosts Visit by Tracey Lange, Returning to the Location of Her New Book, 'What Happened to the McCrays?' -- Potsdam, N.Y.

Potsdam, NY (10/24/2025) — The New York Times bestselling author Tracey Lange made her first trip back to the setting of her latest novel, in a visit sponsored by SUNY Potsdam, from Oct. 22 to 24. Lange's latest book, "What Happened to the McCrays?," is set in and around Potsdam, N.Y., with many local landmarks, institutions and businesses making appearances -- along with a cast of characters who seem like they would fit in just fine in the North Country community.

In keeping with the broad cast of community characters and key local details that characterize the book itself, Lange's pilgrimage back to Potsdam included stops at all the landmarks in the novel, and the chance to get to know readers of all backgrounds as they tagged along for her visit.

"I love coming here. This has been amazing. I've really enjoyed it," Lange. "I did a fictional town in another book, and I was just telling the class that I prefer it this way. It just gave me so much more to work with, and it brought so much more to the story, to have it set in an actual place like Potsdam."

Lange kicked off her return journey by stopping by A.A. Kingston Middle School (where one of her main characters worked) and Pine Street Arena (where the middle school hockey team at the heart of the story plays). She joined in a campus book club dinner held at McDuff's (the site of multiple meet-ups in the book), and, of course, snapped a couple of photos at Potsdam's infamous toilet gardens (which also make an appearance in the piece).

Lange said she heard some details during her trip that she wished she had known when penning the book -- like the "Potbellies" nickname of one of the local amateur hockey teams, or the fact that the ice arena was originally open to the elements when it was first built. She also said she got some guff about details that hit some locals as not being quite right, but still enjoyed hearing everyone's take on the central characters the story revolves around.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Lange visited the Potsdam Public Library to meet with two raffle winners. She was also interviewed by North Country Public Radio. Then, she joined in a lunch with members of the psychology faculty, before visiting the Composition 301 Advanced Research Writing class and meeting with the Writer's Block creative writing tutors and fiction students. Along the way, Lange picked up an entourage.

SUNY Potsdam alumna Jan Egry '58 had read the book when it first came out, exchanged a few emails with Lange in between-and then drove up to watch the public talk from her home downstate. When she ran into the author during her campus visit, Egry asked for permission to tag along and watch her speak to students as well.

"It was fun. I was so glad that I could do this," said Egry, who is also a scholarship donor. "I saw this book was coming out in February, and I saw that it was set in Potsdam, and I said, 'I have to order this book.' I read it to see how accurate everything was -- and it was!"

Lange's public talk attracted more than 150 people, and was held in the Barrington Student Union. President Suzanne R. Smith interviewed the author, and they took audience questions before a book signing and reception. She closed out her visit with a stop at the Massena Public Library on Friday, Oct. 24, where she moderated another book discussion with patrons.

Tracey Lange was born and raised in New York City before heading west to graduate from the University of New Mexico with a degree in psychology. After owning and operating a mental health services company with her husband for 15 years, she completed the Stanford University novel writing program while working on her first novel, the New York Times bestseller, "We Are the Brennans." Her second novel is titled "The Connellys of County Down." Lange currently lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon with her husband, two sons, and beloved German Shepherd.

This LoKo Arts project was made possible by the generosity and artistic vision of Kathryn (Kofoed) '54 and Donald Lougheed (Hon.'54). Lange's visit was co-sponsored by the SUNY Potsdam Literacy Center, SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, and the Massena Public Library.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

From left, Bestselling author Tracey Lange walks with SUNY Potsdam students Allison Carvel ’26 and Em O’Donnell ’26 during a visit to campus to discuss her novel, “What Happened to the McCrays?,” which is set in Potsdam, N.Y.

Bestselling author Tracey Lange visited SUNY Potsdam to discuss her novel set in Potsdam, “What Happened to the McCrays?,” from Oct. 22 to 24.

From left, Bestselling author Tracey Lange speaks with SUNY Potsdam students Allison Carvel ’26 and Em O’Donnell ’26 outside the Lougheed Learning Commons during a visit to campus to discuss her novel, “What Happened to the McCrays?,” which is set in Potsdam, N.Y.

Bestselling author Tracey Lange speaks with creative writing tutors and fiction students in SUNY Potsdam’s Writer’s Block during a visit to campus to discuss her novel “What Happened to the McCrays?,” which is set in Potsdam, N.Y.

SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith (right) interviewed author Tracey Lange (left) during a public talk on Oct. 23 (Photo credit: Brett Lloyd).

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