When I write a story for Spine, my editor Eric Wilder assigns me an author, I research the author and their books, and I ask questions. Often (almost always) I fall in love with the author after researching and interviewing. I then buy the book and fall in love again.

With Erika Swyler, the process happened in reverse. I was already reading her excellent The Book of Speculation when Eric asked me to interview. I interviewed her during a miserable week last winter. She was delightful, easy to talk to, smart, funny, and given my circumstances that week, a saving grace.

Looking for a coffee break read this morning, hoping to break up a grey day, I found Erika's Birthday Americana at Litro. On this dreary morning the story is, like Erika was last winter, a lovely saving grace.