pˈeɪtənz fˈɜːst nˈɑːvəl, hˈeɪl mˈɛɹi kˈɔːɹnɚ bˈiːtʃ hˈoʊm, ɪz ɐ kˈʌmɪŋʌvˈeɪdʒ tˈeɪl bˈeɪst ˌɔn hɪz ɛkspˈiəɹɪəns lˈɪvɪŋ ɐmˌʌŋ fˈɛloʊ sˌɛmɪnˈɛɹiənz ænd bˈɛnɪdˌɪktiːn mˈʌŋks.
Payton's first novel, Hail Mary Corner (Beach Holme), is a coming-of-age tale based on his experience living among fellow seminarians and Benedictine monks.