Erika Swyler at PWR Reading 2017

On Wednesday, Erika read from her book, The Book of Speculation, at Stony Brook University for the Program in Writing and Rhetoric's Reading Series. This is the reading series that Kevin created and organizes at work. It went really well!

Reading in the Shared Faculty Lounge

Erika reading

Students listening attentively

Local Author Fair at Smithtown-Nesconset 2016

Last Saturday, both Erika S. and Kevin participated in a local author fair at the Smithtown-Nesconset library. They spoke about their books, the writing and publication processes. I was mostly watching the kids in the children's section of the library, but I did get a few pictures.

Pre-fair set up- Kevin and Erika sitting by the windows

Pre-fair set up

Pre-fair set up

Erika speaking to the audience

Poster

Erika's Book of Speculation Reading 2016

dI got to actually hear Erika read and talk about her novel The Book of Speculation last week. Even though I read her book in May, and the short story prequel in June, and loved both, this was the first opportunity I had to attend a reading. It added a lot to what I got from the book. For example, I had never considered either the symbolism or the realism of the crabs... but it was fascinating to reconsider them.

Erika reading from her book

A nice size audience!

Since the book took 10 years to write, it was really cool to hear about how her life progressed as she wrote the book. It's so enjoyable to listen to talented and thoughtful people talk. I wish I'd taken more advantage of how easy it was to go to readings and author talks when I was childless and lived right next to Book Court in Brooklyn. 

You can see the back of my head. Haha.

Signing copies for people

The posters because they're exciting

Kevin watched the kids for me and since he was dropping me off anyway, they all enjoyed the playground and gorgeous children's reading room at the Neconset/ Smithtown Library.

Coloring

PJFL Local Writers Panel 2016

The library asked Kevin to participate on a panel of local writers - his short story collection We Were Flying to Chicago came out in 2014 and got great reviews. Erika Swyler, a local novelist who wrote “The Book of Speculation” that came out this year was the main featured author on the panel. Her novel has received national attention and was featured as part of Barnes & Noble’s Discover program, and it was also named one of the best books of 2015 by both Amazon.com and Buzzfeed.

Ralph Brady, Thomas Whaley, Erika Swyler, Kevin, Joe Beck

The panel also included award­-winning children’s book writer Thomas Whaley; journalist, playwright and author Joe Beck; and non­fiction writer, novelist and history buff Ralph Brady.

 

Erika and her husband Rob, James and Kevin.

James and Miranda enjoying some post-panel refreshments