Dear Alaskan reader,

I’m honored to announce that Anchorage, Alaska, has selected The Snow Child for its community read this year. Events began Friday with a lovely reception at the Alaska Humanities Forum, and during the next six weeks there will be opportunities to attend writing panels, build snow men, and learn more about the program.

Anchorage Reads is organized by Anchorage Public Library and, like similar events around the country, it aims to foster literacy and bring people of all ages and walks of life together around one book. Last year, Anchorage chose the graphic novel Persepolis, and in previous years there have been classics like Frankenstein and To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as modern books like The Trap.

Here is a schedule for Anchorage Reads 2013. All events are free and open to the public.

Feb. 2 SNOWMAN DAY:  2-4 p.m. Help decorate the Loussac Library lawn with snowmen for Anchorage Reads 2013! This all-ages kickoff event will feature a snowman-building contest, a live ice sculpture demonstration, cookies and hot cocoa. I hope to see you there!

Feb. 4 BOOK SIGNING & INTERVIEW: 5-7 p.m. I’ll be at the UAA Book Store for a reading, book signing, and an interview with UAA Creative Arts Director David Stevenson.

Feb. 6 KSKA HOMETOWN ALASKA:  2-3 pm. Tune in to 91.1 FM for Hometown Alaska, where we’ll talk about Anchorage Reads and The Snow Child and you can call in with your questions.

Feb. 9 49 WRITERS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Loussac Library’s Wilda Marston Theatre

• 10 a.m. – noon “Writing Your Place” Workshop with Alaska author Douglass Bourne.
• 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. I’ll be on stage for a reading and Q&A.
• 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Alaska Authors Panel. I’ll join Alaska authors Seth Kantner, Don Rearden, and Sherry Simpson to discuss how we write about place.

Feb. 16 ANCHORAGE READS FINALE: 1-3 pm Loussac Library, Wilda Marston Theatre. I’ll do a reading and Q&A. There will also be a local dance performance and other fun.

Feb. 18 SNOW MAIDEN LECTURE: 5-7 pm UAA Bookstore
The Snow-Maiden Fairytale in Russian Folklore, Literature, Music and Arts, by visiting Professor Victoria Kno.

In addition to all these events, readers can particpate in an online discussion about the book on the AnchorageReads2013 Facebook page. For book clubs, Snow Child‘ book club bags are available through Anchorage Public Library. Bags contain 10 books, author biography and ten book club tips in a tote bag.

And keep your eye out for photos of Alaskans reading The Snow Child. Anchorage Public Library has printed a series of posters with hockey players, government leaders, and other local celebrities reading the book.

Cheers!

Eowyn

P.S. Thank you to all the organizers and sponsors who make these events possible.