The Snow Child comes to Fireside Books
Dear window-shopping reader,
For more than 8 years, I have worked as a bookseller at Fireside Books. And never once during that time did I dream I would someday see this in the shop’s front window:
Art by Ruth Hulbert. Photo by David Cheezem.
It’s a beautiful Snow Child window display painted by the extremely talented Ruth Hulbert, who also works at Fireside Books. She completed it on Saturday while we were both on shift at the store. I’m not sure which is more amazing to me — the fox’s realistic gaze, or the ornate lettering that Ruth painted free-hand and backwards.
I confess that sometimes I’m a little uncomfortable selling my own book to customers. At the same time, it’s a lot fun to be at the shop right now. Fireside Books is giving away tote bags with each prepaid order in the store for The Snow Child. Dozens of friends, neighbors, favorite customers, former teachers, and community members — people I have known my entire life — have come in to order their copies. I am so touched by everyone’s support.
As the Feb. 1 publication date nears, we are also planning the book release party, which will be at the nearby Colony Inn that evening. Originally a teachers dormitory for the Matanuska Colony in the 1930s, the inn is one of the more historic buildings in the area.
As a teenager living in Palmer, I couldn’t wait to move out of my small hometown. Now, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be during this exciting time in my life.
Cheers!
Eowyn
18 Comments
What a beautiful window you must be thrilled. I love the fox Ruth is a talented artist best wishes sarah
It is beautiful, Eowyn. I think I am as excited about all of this as I would be if you were my own child.
That is stunning. I could stare at that window all day. And if I hadn’t heard of the novel, I’d definitely go in to check what all the fuss was about.
Congratulations! The store window is beautiful and well deserving for such an exciting release of your first very special book. I am sure your grandmother is smiling down with a tear of grand pride in her eye and your grandfather is absolutely overcome with the same pride, standing 7′ tall. Enjoy the glow – you are off and running!
Thank you so much, Sally. And I think you must be referring to Jim and Nancy, my father- and mother-in-law. You are absolutely correct — Nancy would be so joyful to know about my novel, and Jim has become my very best grassroots marketing man. I couldn’t have married into a better family 🙂
We are reading your wonderful book in our little book group here in Glasgow [Scotland] . I read ” The Snow Child” a few months ago and recommended it to the group and we have a meeting tommorow night so I’ll let you know the feedback! I absolutely loved the book and found all the little details fascinating, like the sour dough starter that Esther brings round to Mabel under her coat as not to kill the yeast. About the same time as I was reading the book , my friend gave me a sour dough starter for a “Herman The German Friendship Cake” [sounds mad but its lovely and you pass the rest of the starter on to friends before you make the cake once you have added all the ingredients]. Its a very sociable recipe!
Anyway, I have one question about your book that probably everyone asks you, why did Faina leave her child and family at the end? Did she find it too much being confined in one place or did she die? I remember I felt really sad at this point of the book, though I knew that there was a growing sense of tragedy looming, [maybe I just yearn for a happy ending.]
Look forward to hearing from you,
Kind Regards, Lynne Jack.
From my perspective as co-owner of Fireside Books, this is more exciting and meaningful than anything else we have ever done. And that includes the Harry Potter events! You have made this magic happen, Eowyn, and we are just so fortunate to be able to share it with you and the community!
Oh, how wonderful, it’s a very beautiful window! I’m happy for you! 🙂
I can’t wait to order my very own copy. The store front is beautiful. Grandma would’ve sold a million copies already. She would’ve been bursting with pride and telling every living person from Florida to Alaska.
(with hands on cheeks) O. M. G. Eowyn, were I in your shoes I think I’d be most touched and affected by this tribute over any other upcoming experience you may have. Just…wow. Gosh, what a bummer that I can’t be there to see this in person.
At my bookstore we have the “100 Club” for booksellers that handsell 100 copies of a book. I’m *thisclose* to reaching that goal with Sebastian Barry’s stunning THE SECRET SCRIPTURE. I can’t wait to reach it again with THE SNOW CHILD!
SO excited for you! And soon I will stop being jealous of the countries who already have it and will have my own copy. Can’t wait!
I love the lettering. I still have a poster Ruth made of Anja’s name written like that. Then again, maybe I just love the window b/c it has your name on it!
Drove by the store yesterday just to see the window. It’s awesome!
Absolutely stunning! So wish Papa and I could see it in person, walk into the store and give you a congratulatory hug.
I love your work. You see the Alaska I love and remember. I don’t live there anymore but I am part of the air, land, and mountains still.
Becky Rehus
What a wonderful shop window!
Your book will be launched tomorrow in France and you’ll be able to read my review (in French!) on my blog on Friday. Fingers crossed!
It is incredible! I love the shop window and can only imagine how odd it must feel, but you deserve all the good luck and sales you get because the book is so utterly wonderful.
What a beautiful picture. A good one to enlarge and frame. None of the accolades surprise me. Your book is a magical journey. Well one!!!
Fran