There's a good chance you've seen the name Erica Fair somewhere, and and even better chance that you'll see it plenty more in the future. Erica is a Sherlockian who grabbed Sherlockiana by the horns in the past year and has taken every opportunity to explore, engage, and enjoy this hobby of ours. (She even made a trip to Paul Thomas Miller's Sherloft!)
Erica has written papers and given toasts. She's helping with 221B Con. She fenced with Ashley Polasek last month at Holmes, Doyle & Friends. She's amassing more books than the foundation of her house can support. And on top of all of that, you can feel the good vibes radiating off of her. The smile you see in all of the pictures in this interview is how she looks at every Sherlockian event I've seen her at in the past year. So, if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Erica yet, get ready for someone who will make you feel good about the future of Sherlockiana!
How do you define the word “Sherlockian”?Before 2024, I would have said, “A Sherlockian is an American academic who studies the Canon, as opposed to British scholars, who are Holmesians” (oh yes, I was a real joy at parties).
Now that I’m active in the community though, I find that “Sherlockian” is a perfect term to describe the members of this playful, vibrant social group, no matter their individual origin or how they prefer to take their Holmes. To me, a Sherlockian is any Holmes enthusiast who doesn’t think it’s weird that I can recite “221B”, and in fact will probably join me.
How did you become a Sherlockian?
In seventh grade, I was assigned to read SPEC and SCAN, and I was immediately captivated by Holmes, buying my first copy of the Canon with my allowance at age 12. I never lost my interest in the stories, but before I joined the Norwegian Explorers as an adult, I never really engaged much with others – put bluntly, I liked what I liked and didn’t especially care what anyone else thought.
In early 2024 though, I was playing the Frogwares video games and it made me curious to watch some adaptations that I had previously ignored on principle. Afterwards, I desperately wanted to talk to someone, so I reached out to some of the extroverted folks in my scion, and everything grew from there. On their advice, I started joining Zoom meetings and writing for my scion’s publications, and fortuitously the Minnesota triennial conference was just a few months later, so I got to dive into the community head-first. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who encouraged me and gave me opportunities to get involved; in just over a year, my whole world has been completely transformed for the better.
What is your profession and does that affect how you enjoy being a Sherlockian?I’m a state’s attorney, handling matters like criminal prosecution, civil commitments, and child protection. Although lots of trials means that my work schedule can get intense, I get to be in the courtroom almost every day, and I get to assist law enforcement behind the scenes with investigations, which is amazing. I actually see quite a lot of overlap between Holmes’ work and my own, especially when it comes to finding the facts on a case and determining what is justice, and I have several of his mottos posted throughout my office.
Despite working in law, my Sherlockian interests are primarily in science and medicine. For a long time I had thought I was going to be a doctor, but high school chemistry broke me, and my fascination with Holmes led me to criminology and forensics instead. While I love my work and have never looked back, I still appreciate any opportunity to learn more about historical science.
What is your favorite canonical story?
Every time I read the Canon, I find a new detail to appreciate! Traditionally DYIN has been my favorite due to the interplay of drama and medicine, but lately I’ve had a special fondness for REIG; I find there’s a lot of humor in this story if you can approach it as a comedy. I also love any story that shows Holmes on the ropes, like WIST or NORW. When the mask of unemotionality cracks, that glimpse of the desperate man underneath is captivating. And of course, since CREE was the focus of the first article and presentation I ever prepared, I’ll always have a special love for Presbury and Roy.
Who is a specific Sherlockian that you think others would find interesting?This blog has already interviewed most of them, so great work! I would have to say Karen Ellery, my Sherlockian fairy godmother. She’s a Norwegian Explorer of many years, an active founder of many specialty scions ranging from Legos to tea, and she’s the director of the Red-Throated League that recreates Edith Meiser’s radio productions. She is also a spectacular friend, mentor, and connector who is one of the legitimately kindest people I’ve ever met. She has singlehandedly done more to bring me into the Sherlockian world than any other person, and she deserves to be recognized.
I'd also make a pitch for Eric Deckers, who writes a great weekly humor blog called The Laughing Stalk. By sheer coincidence, I was a subscriber to his blog for six months before I learned he was also a Sherlockian! It's really incredible how giant and how tiny our community can be at the same time.
What subset of Sherlockiana really interests you?
With my special interest in medicine, Watson’s professional world fascinates me. Imagine being born into an age that doesn’t even have aspirin, yet by the time you retire, heart surgery is becoming normal. There was so much curiosity and so much rational optimism behind every new innovation, even in an age that had a number of serious problems. I really admire the Victorian physicians, scientists, and patients who made it all possible, as well as the general history and culture of the Victorians and their world.
I also like exploring how Watson has been depicted over the decades. I enjoy seeing him grow stronger, smarter, and funnier over time, and I love that he’s finally getting his due as a nuanced, realistic character in his own right.
You seem to be in that exciting stage of Sherlockiana, where you want to get your hands on everything! (I've seen your piles of swag and purchases...) How is this ever-growing collection set up at your house?I’ve always been a prolific reader, with about 400 books even before I dove into Sherlockiana, so shelf space is a lifelong battle! I’m fortunate enough to have a very forgiving husband, plus a house with a large basement and a den with built-in shelves. Presently my collection at home is in two parts: two large bookshelves if I think I’ll want access to an item within the next twelve months, and a massive sealed tote bin if I don’t. My work office is also full of Sherlockian books and décor, to the amusement of my colleagues.
Although I happily accept most items when I’m out and about, I’m actually somewhat picky about what I retain or for how long. I don’t want a book to fade away in my basement if realistically I’ll never read it again and it could be out bringing someone else happiness. Luckily I have plenty of hardcore collector friends who gratefully adopt anything I don’t need to keep forever. When I do retain items, I prefer secondhand books and ex-library copies, since I know they’ve already had a good run and can now retire with me.
As someone who has jumped into Sherlockiana with a fervor, what advice do you have for fellow Sherlockians who may feel hesitant about engaging more with the hobby?
Ultimately, come in with enthusiasm and keep an open mind. There’s something to appreciate about even the cringiest story or adaptation (yes, even that one), and I guarantee that it brings happiness to someone you never expected. Friendly discussions can lead to great ideas and to special connections that you could have never predicted.
Additionally, show gratitude and legitimate interest in others’ hard work, in whatever form it takes. Praise someone for their presentation or ask them to sign a copy of their article. Admire a collection or tell someone how much you enjoy their artwork. Take a moment to thank those behind the scenes who produce podcasts, run scions, and organize conferences. True appreciation goes a long way in starting conversations and creating new opportunities, and if you bring warmth and excitement into the community, you’ll receive it back tenfold.
Above all else, be kind, even when you’re passionate. We play the game for the game’s own sake, and there’s no prize at the end for being right. The ultimate test of inclusion isn’t whether you think Rathbone or Cumberbatch was the definitive Holmes*, but whether you enjoy the liveliness of good company and can share others’ wit, knowledge, and excitement for the characters and their adventures.
What book would you recommend to other Sherlockians?I have many!
· For medical history, I recommend anything by Roy Porter or Lindsay Fitzharris, as well as Jennifer Wright’s Get Well Soon if you prefer a more lighthearted take.
· For non-Holmes mystery fiction, I love Will Thomas’ Barker and Llewellyn series, starting with Some Danger Involved. I also enjoy Steve Hockensmith’s humorous Holmes on the Range series, about two cowboy brothers who read The Strand and attempt to solve their own local mysteries.
· I don’t read many pastiches, but I grew up with The Resurrected Holmes, edited by Marvin Kaye, which is an anthology written in the styles of several famous 20th century authors. As a Minnesotan, I also love Larry Millett’s Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon and its sequels.
· And for general nonfiction, my favorite book of all time is probably A.J. Jacobs’ The Know It All. It hilariously describes the author’s real-life attempt to read the Encyclopedia Britannica from cover to cover, with side effects like his wife charging him a dollar for each irrelevant fact he dropped into conversation. I suspect that many of us (and our poor partners) can relate!
Where do you see Sherlockiana in 5 or 10 years from now?
Despite the floodgates of public domain, I don’t see the canonical character disappearing anytime soon. For better or worse, there will always be people who are drawn to the story of a loner genius who finds pain relief in overwork and disconnection. But I’ve often thought that the mark of maturity is when you stop admiring Holmes and start admiring Watson, and the community we have right now seems to be a near-perfect balance of those two forces. As the century progresses, I’m sure there will be more waves of popular adaptations and strong opinions that accompany them, but as long as the human element shines through, Sherlockiana will continue to be a net positive to the community. The Victorians were rational optimists, and I am too.
*Sorry for the trick question; the best Holmes is obviously Clive Merrison.
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