Hello!

I'm so glad you're here!

I’m a journalist and author in Portland, Oregon. This newsletter got its start in 2013 as a way of updating people who took my yoga class at a community center in Washington, D.C. Over time, I moved home to Oregon and it evolved into The Windfall Dispatch.

I like to think of TWD as a peek inside my reporter’s notebook. Here you’ll find a short essay, often about journalism, mindfulness or climate change…or about long walks. There's often a peek behind the scenes at the first book I wrote: Windfall, released by Sourcebooks in early 2023. Sometimes there's a link to a story about yoga pants for old times sake. And in 2024, subscribers will get the backstory of the next nonfiction book and documentary film project I’m developing.

Thanks for subscribing!  

— Erika Bolstad

P.S. You can always email me directly at erika (at) erikabolstad.com

A few more details, including money stuff

The Windfall Dispatch is always free. The best way to support me is by purchasing or recommending Windfall. Liking and forwarding this newsletter helps, too.

But if you’ve been here awhile and enjoy the newsletter, perhaps consider becoming a patron. Paid subscribers support my creative work, and in 2024 will pay for a professional editor for each edition.

If you want to financially support my work without giving money to Substack, I accept Venmo. As always, thanks for reading!