How to Set Yourself on Fire

by Julia Dixon Evans

“I know. I understand.”

  “But the truth is, this isn’t really rock bottom. It’s basically how I’ve always been.”

  “I know. But,” she stops, and exhales. She lowers her head to rest against my shoulder. “I know.”

  It’s so quiet in the church, I can almost hear myself tell her she’s the best thing ever to happen to me, the best thing.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  THANK YOU TO Monika Woods, for believing in me and this book (and for making me believe in those things too) and also for making me laugh a lot. To my editor, Michelle Dotter, for her brilliance, partnership, patience, and care. And to everyone at Dzanc for their love and hard work.

  To the kind and brave souls who read early drafts: in particular Tessa Tinkler, Nelwyn Del Frate, James Tate Hill, Keith McCleary, Juliet Escoria, Jac Jemc, and Lindsay Hunter. To the writers and editors who held my hand, inspired me, or pushed me, especially Jessica Hilt, Matt Lewis, Jim Ruland, Zack Wentz, Lizz Huerta, Amy Wallen, Aaron Burch, Kevin Maloney, and so many more. To my womenfolk, my loves, who supported, loved, babysat, and cheered for me at every step. And to Ryan Bradford, thank you for tirelessly making this book what it is, and for giving me someone to write for (it feels like something between gratitude and life support). This is for you.

  My undying love and admiration for the entire beautiful San Diego literary community, every last drop of you. And to Rory Kelly, who once upon a time assigned a fledgling writing group the prompt that birthed Vinnie and then birthed this book.

  Last but really first: to my family, and especially to Erik, Oliver, and Edith. Thank you, for everything. You made this book happen.

  Photo by Nelwyn Del Frate

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JULIA DIXON EVANS lives in San Diego. How to Set Yourself on Fire is her first novel. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in McSweeney’s, Literary Hub, Barrelhouse, Hobart, and elsewhere. She is an editor and program director for the literary nonprofit and small press So Say We All and hosts The Foundry reading series.