"In Sidle Creek, McIlwain skillfully interrogates the myths and stereotypes of the mining, mill, and farming towns where she grew up. With stories that take place in diners and dive bars, town halls and bait shops, McIlwain's writing explores themes of class, work, health, and trauma, and the unexpected human connections of small, close-knit communities. All the while, the wild beauty of the natural world weaves its way in, a source of the town's livelihood--and vulnerable to natural resource exploitation"--

Sidle creek -- Steer -- Seed to full -- Fractal geometry of grief -- Angling -- You four are the one -- Where Lottie lived -- Eminent domain -- Loosed -- Less said -- List -- Shell -- Fourth -- Drumming -- They didn't sound like themselves for us -- Sostenuto -- Those red boots -- An ever-fixed mark -- Oiling the gun -- Seeds -- Licking the chocolate glassine -- Steep side -- Acknowledgments