In gratitude to authors & readers …

Dear book-seeking reader,

I’ve learned a lot about publishing since my debut novel was acquired by Little, Brown & Co., and I’m sure I’ll learn more.  But one of the biggest surprises has to do with endorsements from fellow authors. They are the quotes that appear on the back cover of a book, extolling its virtues.

Like many people, I assumed these “blurbs,” as they are called in the business, were the result of nepotism. Somebody knows somebody’s editor, or they have the same publisher, or they went to the same university. I didn’t know many famous authors, so I figured I was out of luck. I was in for a pleasant surprise.

With encouragement from my agent and editor, I chose books that I loved, books that inspired me and made me want to be a better writer, books that I handed to my favorite customers at Fireside Books. Then I went about writing letters to the authors. It wasn’t easy. I apologized for bothering them, told them why I admired their books, and asked if please would they take a look at The Snow Child to see what they thought. And here’s what they had to say.

In heartfelt gratitude to the authors, and as a gift to you, my dear reader, I want to share their books. So here are four. In my next letter, I’ll share the others.

Cheers!

Eowyn

Gap Creek, by Robert Morgan. Julie Harmon is perhaps my very favorite character from literature. She earns a hard life in late 19th century Appalachian high country.

A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick. A Gothic, mysterious historical novel with one of the most finely crafted plots I have ever encountered.

The Green Age of Asher Witherow, by M. Allen Cunningham. An incredibly lyrical novel, it's set in a California coal mine in the 1800s. Grounded yet otherwordly, poetic yet compelling.

Ahab's Wife, by Sena Jeter Naslund. This historical novel takes a lesser character from Moby Dick and creates a moving, atmospheric story that swept me away.

1 Comment

  • Oh my, such endorsements! And of course I now have a couple MORE books added to my to-read list. As always, so thrilled for all the good things coming your way. 🙂