Preview
Creation Date
3-28-2026
Description
Drawing of Steven Rowley: "Humor is not the opposite of seriousness. Humor doesn't erase reality — it reframes. If there is one thing to take away from my keynote, it's this: Humor is a mode of engagement with the truth."
Bio: Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post notable book of 2016; The Editor, named by NPR as one of the best books of 2019; The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 novel of the year and winner of the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor; The Celebrants, a Today show Read With Jenna Book Club pick; The Guncle Abroad, an instant USA Today bestseller and a finalist for the 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor; and The Dogs of Venice. His newest novel, Take Me With You, arrives in May 2026. His fiction has been published in 20 languages. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College and resides in Palm Springs, California, with his husband, the writer Byron Lane, and two rescue dogs.
Artist's Note
Steve was a real gentleman to meet. I ran into him late at the hotel restaurant, and he seemed genuinely pleased with the drawing, although he doesn’t come off as someone who would place much importance on a drawing of himself. Pretty laid back.
Rights
Copyright © 2026, Bob Eckstein. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Erma Bombeck, humor writing, Saturday Night Live, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, Comedy, Illustration, Live-drawing
