This week on The Write Question, host Lauren Korn speaks with Erin Pringle, author of Unexpected Weather Events (Awst Press), a collection of short stories, a collection of sorrows, of familial grief—a collection of many winters and the people that weather them. As singer-songwriter Liz Rognes writes of Unexpected Weather Events, “These stories visit the tender space between the living and the dead, between right now and memory, between reality and dreams.” Writer Sharma Shields writes, “We are not alone in our sorrow; there are always new ways—even in petrifying darkness—to see and to love.”
This conversation contains mentions of suicide. Listeners, please take note and take care. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, call 988. The 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
About Erin:
Erin Pringle grew up in Casey, Illinois, and now lives in Spokane, Washington. She is the author of the novel, Hezada! I Miss You and two other story collections: The Whole World at Once and The Floating Order. Unexpected Weather Events is her fourth book.
Erin Pringle recommends:
Rules of Summer written and illustrated by Shawn Tan (Arthur A. Levine Books)
The stories of Flannery O’Connor
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers (Mariner Books)
Vesper Flights by Helen MacDonald (Grove Press)
The poetry of Jack Gilbert
Lauren Korn recommends:
Unexpected Weather Events by Erin Pringle (Awst Press)
Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter (Graywolf Press)
Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Alfred A. Knopf)
The Anatomy of Grief by Dorothy P. Holinger (Yale University Press)
Grief Sequence by Prageeta Sharma (Wave Poetry)
The Crying Book by Heather Christle (Catapult Books)
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The Write Question team for this episode was Lauren Korn, host, co-producer, and editor; and Chris Moyles, co-producer and sound engineer. This episode is sponsored by Chapter One Bookstore in Hamilton, Montana, a literary and community resource for the Bitterroot Valley—providing space to explore, discover, and share passions since 1974. More information can be found at Chapter1Bookstore.com.
The Write Question logo and brand (2022) was designed by Molly Russell. You can see more of her work at iamthemollruss.com and on Instagram @iamthemollruss. Our music was written and recorded by John Floridis.
Funding for The Write Question comes from Humanities Montana; members of Montana Public Radio; and from the Greater Montana Foundation—encouraging communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans.
The Write Question is a production of Montana Public Radio.
