Henry Alford is a distinguished humorist and journalist with over two decades of contributions to The New Yorker. Alford, also a former columnist for The New York Times and a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, has authored six books, including the Thurber Prize-winning Big Kiss: One Actor's Desperate Attempt to Claw His Way to the Top.

Years ago, I somehow ended up on his bcc email distribution. He'd ask if we had anything to add to a piece of his, and—I love this—would always ensure we included "the WHERE and WHEN in any anecdote so it isn't unspooling in undefined space.

"Unspooling in undefined space" has always stayed with me. In fact, when I did reply, I ended up in The New York Times, in an article of his: "The Remarkable Shelf Life of the Offhand Comment."

Our conversation centered on his latest work, I Dream of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots. This book offers a fresh perspective on the legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, exploring her journey from her childhood in Saskatoon, Canada, to her influential years in Laurel Canyon. Alford's portrayal is both witty and comprehensive, weaving together anecdotes, quotes, and lyrics to paint a vivid picture of Mitchell's multifaceted persona.

During the discussion, Alford shared insights into his creative process and the challenges of capturing such a complex figure in a non-linear narrative. He emphasized his intent to present Mitchell's life in a manner that reflects her artistic spirit—unconventional and richly textured.

I loved our convo, as I felt I got to know the book and the author in equal measure. I can now consider both "defined space."

I Dream of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots is available now from Gallery Books.