Erika Swyler
@erikaswyler.bsky.social
Novelist. Garden variety weirdo. Typo queen.
Books: We Lived On the Horizon (Atria, 1/14/25), Light From Other Stars, The Book of Speculation.
She/her (all pronouns are fine)
https://linktr.ee/erikaswyler
Books: We Lived On the Horizon (Atria, 1/14/25), Light From Other Stars, The Book of Speculation.
She/her (all pronouns are fine)
https://linktr.ee/erikaswyler
Pinned
Erika Swyler
@erikaswyler.bsky.social
· Jan 14
WE LIVED ON THE HORIZON is now out in the world. It's the first "timely" book I've written--wholly unintentional, I assure you.
If you've been thinking about AI, revolution, altruism, the future, gender, aging, and what care is ... it might be the book for you.
If you've been thinking about AI, revolution, altruism, the future, gender, aging, and what care is ... it might be the book for you.
I'm up and about to Turkey Trot, in case to you were wondering if I'm a glutton for punishment.
November 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I'm up and about to Turkey Trot, in case to you were wondering if I'm a glutton for punishment.
Reposted by Erika Swyler
November 27, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Reposted by Erika Swyler
The Community of Writers at Olympic Valley was one of the first conferences that took a chance on me as a newbie writer. Their funding has taken a big hit in the current environment. If you donate now, you can get your donation matched!
communityofwriters.org/donate/?mc_c...
communityofwriters.org/donate/?mc_c...
Donate | Community of Writers
Our Annual Fund Between November 25 and December 2 (Giving Tuesday) we hope you will join us by making a tax-deductible contribution to our Annual Fund Campaign. This is one of our most critical fundr...
communityofwriters.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The Community of Writers at Olympic Valley was one of the first conferences that took a chance on me as a newbie writer. Their funding has taken a big hit in the current environment. If you donate now, you can get your donation matched!
communityofwriters.org/donate/?mc_c...
communityofwriters.org/donate/?mc_c...
Lots of dogs on the ferry. All of the floppy ear variety. All getting table scraps over the next few days.
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Lots of dogs on the ferry. All of the floppy ear variety. All getting table scraps over the next few days.
A thing about being up very early on a travel day, is that I get to see that the UK is also freaked out about their nation. It's a small comfort. Like the carrot waving at the onion as they simmer in the same stew.
(Because it's the internet: I'll note that *obviously* it's not the exact same.)
(Because it's the internet: I'll note that *obviously* it's not the exact same.)
November 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
A thing about being up very early on a travel day, is that I get to see that the UK is also freaked out about their nation. It's a small comfort. Like the carrot waving at the onion as they simmer in the same stew.
(Because it's the internet: I'll note that *obviously* it's not the exact same.)
(Because it's the internet: I'll note that *obviously* it's not the exact same.)
My gosh has today sucked, and there's still so much more of it.
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
My gosh has today sucked, and there's still so much more of it.
Today is packing, baking, running, ADDITIONAL IMAGING, cleaning, giving the bunny extra kisses so she won't forget me when I'm away, errands, and cleaning.
Tomorrow is car, boat, car, collapse.
Tomorrow is car, boat, car, collapse.
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Today is packing, baking, running, ADDITIONAL IMAGING, cleaning, giving the bunny extra kisses so she won't forget me when I'm away, errands, and cleaning.
Tomorrow is car, boat, car, collapse.
Tomorrow is car, boat, car, collapse.
Still riding the high from getting pistachio gelato from the gelato Fiat.
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Still riding the high from getting pistachio gelato from the gelato Fiat.
I've been on the internet for far too long and know too many people who write for IP to engage in Star Wars discourse.
I'll just be over here in my "really strong opinions about notebooks" corner.
I'll just be over here in my "really strong opinions about notebooks" corner.
November 24, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I've been on the internet for far too long and know too many people who write for IP to engage in Star Wars discourse.
I'll just be over here in my "really strong opinions about notebooks" corner.
I'll just be over here in my "really strong opinions about notebooks" corner.
Reposted by Erika Swyler
👀📔🚀
#TheIslandofLastThings, #StarWarsRevengeoftheSith and #MetallicRealms all arrived in the #LocusHQ recently! Thanks to:
@penguinrandomhouse
#MatthewStover
@Flatironbooks
@emmasloley
@atriabook
@thelincoln
Buy the books at our bookshop link in bio, and visit our site for all things bookish!
@penguinrandomhouse
#MatthewStover
@Flatironbooks
@emmasloley
@atriabook
@thelincoln
Buy the books at our bookshop link in bio, and visit our site for all things bookish!
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
👀📔🚀
Reposted by Erika Swyler
So, @wirobooks.bsky.social continues to be incredibly kind and creates lists that don't look like a lot of others. (Very grateful WE LIVED ON THE HORIZON is on here.)
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our...
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our...
Our 51 Favorite Books of 2025 | Washington Independent Review of Books
The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
So, @wirobooks.bsky.social continues to be incredibly kind and creates lists that don't look like a lot of others. (Very grateful WE LIVED ON THE HORIZON is on here.)
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our...
www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our...
Reposted by Erika Swyler
This, right here. The publishing industry has become deranged, and nearly every author is anxious about whether they'll ever get another book deal again. Sales are the only metric of success that publishers recognize. Pirating books poses a direct existential threat to authors' careers as authors.
Look, I am very small potatoes as an author. I make too little in royalties to live off them. But I can tell you the reason I got to write my 2nd book was bc the sales of the 1st were very good. That's what else you're eating into by pirating, our ability to keep writing what you claim to love.
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This, right here. The publishing industry has become deranged, and nearly every author is anxious about whether they'll ever get another book deal again. Sales are the only metric of success that publishers recognize. Pirating books poses a direct existential threat to authors' careers as authors.
I'm in a writing funk. I'm sure it's got nothing to do with the tons of articles and posts about how we're speeding toward an illiterate society, and all the people willingly melting their brains with shitty tech that trained on decades of my stolen work that I *may* one day see a $3,000 payout for.
November 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I'm in a writing funk. I'm sure it's got nothing to do with the tons of articles and posts about how we're speeding toward an illiterate society, and all the people willingly melting their brains with shitty tech that trained on decades of my stolen work that I *may* one day see a $3,000 payout for.
When someone in the friend group has a baby that looks like a cursèd Victorian ghost child, and everyone knows it, no one says anything, and we're all in silent agreement, waiting for said child to devour our souls.
November 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
When someone in the friend group has a baby that looks like a cursèd Victorian ghost child, and everyone knows it, no one says anything, and we're all in silent agreement, waiting for said child to devour our souls.
Okay, friends. Knowing that this week is hard for lots of people, tell me your GOOD things.
November 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Okay, friends. Knowing that this week is hard for lots of people, tell me your GOOD things.
Reposted by Erika Swyler
Per my earlier post--more short stories coming from @hubcitypress.bsky.social in 2027. This "Denis Johnson x Over the Garden Wall" collection is so strange and tender and will stay with you for a long time after you finish it. Thanks to Bill Clegg for sending it to me!
Thrilled about this collection that reads as if Denis Johnson wrote Over the Garden Wall--coming out in 2027!
November 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Per my earlier post--more short stories coming from @hubcitypress.bsky.social in 2027. This "Denis Johnson x Over the Garden Wall" collection is so strange and tender and will stay with you for a long time after you finish it. Thanks to Bill Clegg for sending it to me!
I have obtained pistachio gelato from the mall's green Fiat kiosk. For a brief moment the world was pure and radiant joy.
A gelato kiosk opened in the mall. They have pistachio gelato (the best flavor gelato).
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
November 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I have obtained pistachio gelato from the mall's green Fiat kiosk. For a brief moment the world was pure and radiant joy.
Saw the "stop writing dystopias because assholes are just gonna make that dystopia real" take, yet again.
Friends, it's not that simple.
1. Every utopia IS someone's dystopia, and the reverse is true.
2. They're not reading the books.
3. If anything, film adaptations have a more direct line.
Friends, it's not that simple.
1. Every utopia IS someone's dystopia, and the reverse is true.
2. They're not reading the books.
3. If anything, film adaptations have a more direct line.
November 23, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Saw the "stop writing dystopias because assholes are just gonna make that dystopia real" take, yet again.
Friends, it's not that simple.
1. Every utopia IS someone's dystopia, and the reverse is true.
2. They're not reading the books.
3. If anything, film adaptations have a more direct line.
Friends, it's not that simple.
1. Every utopia IS someone's dystopia, and the reverse is true.
2. They're not reading the books.
3. If anything, film adaptations have a more direct line.
I left acting school as a playwright, and started writing a play that just kept growing until it wasn't a play at all but was instead my debut novel.
November 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I left acting school as a playwright, and started writing a play that just kept growing until it wasn't a play at all but was instead my debut novel.
A gelato kiosk opened in the mall. They have pistachio gelato (the best flavor gelato).
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A gelato kiosk opened in the mall. They have pistachio gelato (the best flavor gelato).
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
The kiosk is shaped like a green Fiat 500—the best color and shape. I drive a green Fiat 500, because it's the best car color and shape.
Why does nothing else in life cater so directly to my needs and tastes?
Reposted by Erika Swyler
This is so, so fun.
I’ve often called this song—“Just Like Heaven”—the finest single of the 80s and meant it. This cover’s arrangement only confirms it for me 💜🔥
November 22, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This is so, so fun.
Anyway. A friend and I are currently dreaming about opening a small museum for the "obsolete" school & library machines we loved. (One likely exists, but not local to us.)
Friends, those machines were work horses and they had GREAT sounds and smells. The smart board has so much to apologize for.
Friends, those machines were work horses and they had GREAT sounds and smells. The smart board has so much to apologize for.
November 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Anyway. A friend and I are currently dreaming about opening a small museum for the "obsolete" school & library machines we loved. (One likely exists, but not local to us.)
Friends, those machines were work horses and they had GREAT sounds and smells. The smart board has so much to apologize for.
Friends, those machines were work horses and they had GREAT sounds and smells. The smart board has so much to apologize for.
Reposted by Erika Swyler
Or to your local NPR station! They’re hurting.
Let's make a deal. If you read it (I did, I'm so sorry) you must send $10 to the independent journalist of your choice.
i promise i don’t mean to high horse this but if you’re thinking about giving lizza ten bucks there are a lot of good independent journalists whose work you could subscribe to for a month instead
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Or to your local NPR station! They’re hurting.
I watched Physical: Asia as an escape. I'm not really a sports watching kind of person, and I don't have and teams I'd die for or anything...
But if you even think of touching my emotional support Team Mongolia, I will come for you.
But if you even think of touching my emotional support Team Mongolia, I will come for you.
November 22, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I watched Physical: Asia as an escape. I'm not really a sports watching kind of person, and I don't have and teams I'd die for or anything...
But if you even think of touching my emotional support Team Mongolia, I will come for you.
But if you even think of touching my emotional support Team Mongolia, I will come for you.