Thank you

Dear generous reader,

When I wrote my last letter, announcing an opportunity to win a copy of my novel, I was expecting to hear from a handful of you — curious people who hadn’t read it yet and hoped that with a little luck they might get a free book. Instead, as I sit here this St. Patrick’s Day morning, I’m feeling like the lucky one.

More than 130 of you asked to be entered in the drawing. As if this weren’t enough of a wonderful surprise, as I read through your comments I discovered that the vast majority of you had already read the book. You told me how it moved you, why you loved it, who you had shared it with.

I heard from Paris, Texas, London, Italy, Scotland, New York, Arizona, Chicago, Australia, Ohio, Ireland, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas,  Norway, and just down the street. I heard from booksellers and librarians, readers and book club members and writers. I heard from Alaskans, those of you who miss Alaska, and those who dream of visiting here someday.

Some of you asked for it to be inscribed to a friend, mother, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, or newborn child. Others confessed you wanted it entirely for yourself, and that made me smile.

One man wrote that he and his wife had read the novel and shared the original fairy tale with their young daughter, who now likes to pretend she sleeps in a bed of snow. Another wanted it inscribed in memory of his dear wife.

One of you described reading it on a beach in the Middle East. Another said she had wished for a longer train ride home from Glasgow, so she wouldn’t have to put it down.

You made me happy. You brought tears come to my eyes. You made me wish I could send each and every one of you an inscribed copy.

Choosing only two winners wasn’t easy. But I decided to enlist the assistance of my daughters. I asked each of them to pick a number between 1 and 136. My youngest, who just turned 5, chose her new favorite number: 5. My oldest, who at nearly 13 prides herself on being logical, randomly chose the number 90.

So, without further ado, the winners are the 5th and 90th entrants.

Drew, who wrote:

“I’d love a signed UK copy. Hope you enjoyed your time over here.”

And Amy, who wrote :

“Dear Mrs. Ivey,

I have just purchased a digital copy of your book and decided to investigate the web link. What a pleasant surprise I found. I have a friend who is intrigued by Alaska. If I were to be lucky, I would be very honored to receive a copy of your US edition and have it addressed to “Sharon”. Congratulations on the success of your first book. Kind Regards, Amy”

If each of you would please email me at eowyn@eowynivey.com with your mailing address, I’ll get your copies in the mail right away.

And to every one of you, thank you. May all your dreams come true.

Cheers!

Eowyn

11 Comments

  • cravingpages says:

    I’m slightly excited just to be indirectly mentioned here! I think this is a lovely idea and I’m sure the two winners will be be very happy! Will continue to read your blog/Twitter, Ms Ivey, and I will definitely watch out for whatever you write next!

  • Pat says:

    Congratulations to the winners! Since my own copy is on my Kindle, I will just go and purchase a lovely hardback and take it to my future daughter-in-law when we return to Alaska this summer. We had dreamed for over 30 years of traveling there and here we are preparing to make our 4th trip…oh yes, dreams do come true.

    Looking forward to your next novel!!! Wishing you all the best.

  • ashley rangel says:

    congrats to the winners! And Ms. Ivey I loved ur post! I agree wholeheartedly with cravingpages’ comment. Can’t wait for another book from you! I am going to have to buy myself a copy because I adore it so much! I wish you the best!

  • Sue Mathis says:

    So my friend that I was going to send a copy of The Snow Child to, if I won, sent me a message to tell me that her Costco in NC just got your book in and she bought herself a copy. She is looking forward to reading it. She keeps talking about coming up for a visit and maybe reading your novel will inspire her to actually come!

  • Tracy says:

    Congrats to the winners! I am so glad that you were able to realize how truly wonderful and special your book is and how much we all enjoyed reading it!

  • Joe says:

    Having your daughters make the pick was an excellent way to choose the winners. Congratulations to the two winners, but in reality everyone who has read your book is already a winner. All the best to you and your family; and to all your readers out there across the world.

  • sarah davis says:

    Hi Fantastic that you have such an inrernational readership

    • sarah davis says:

      oh dear spelling mistake i meant ‘international readership’
      hope you had a good st Patrick’s day

  • Betsy says:

    I too requested a copy. I didn’t win. I don’t care. I’ve read the book, loved it, and sent my cousin in Anchorage to find your next signing. I’ll have a signed copy anyway.

    This was a great promotional idea. I’m going to share it with my two writers groups. We all learn from each other. Thanks again for such a great book and for such a terrific idea for promotion.

  • Julie Bonnema says:

    Hello Eowyn-Samantha Oslund is my daughter.She told me tonight she got your book for me…I am so excited to read it! I am a captive audience to my husband who is going through cancer treatments and I read alot to pass the time when he is resting. I crave the escape of a great book! So thank you for your encridible gift of imagination and the courage to put it out there for all of us to enjoy!

  • luisa says:

    Congratulations to the winners! It would have been nice to win but the important thing is that I’m so happy to have come into your book … think I’ll read it again soon: I live by the Mediterranean sea but I dreamed about the Great North all my life and your story just entered in my soul. Looking forward your next story, dear Eowyn. For the moment I’ll keep reading your blog. Thank you so much (and sorry if my English is not so good) and all the best to your family and all your readers.